Our journey begins with learning about the Tongva, the first Angelenos. Through reading articles, examining photographs and primary sources, and visiting the Kuruvungna Tongva Springs, students gain a firsthand understanding of the Tongva. Inside a traditional ki’iy, students learn about the Tongva way of life, their use of native plants, and the deep connection they held with the land long before Los Angeles became the city we know today.

As students study city government, they learn about the people and institutions that help run our city and the important role citizens play in shaping their communities. A visit to City Hall brings this learning to life, giving students the opportunity to see local government in action and better understand how city leaders make decisions that shape Los Angeles.

Our study of immigration helps students explore the many waves of people who came to Los Angeles seeking opportunity and community. Students learn how immigrants helped shape neighborhoods such as Chinatown and Koreatown, contributing to the diverse cultural fabric that defines our city today.

The study of Los Angeles also extends into math and science. During our graphing unit, students create line plots about the tallest mountain peaks in the Los Angeles area, pie charts showing population growth, and bar graphs analyzing earthquake and weather patterns. Through these projects, students learn to interpret data while making meaningful connections to the city around them.

One of the most exciting and beloved traditions of the Grade 3 curriculum is the annual Landmark Project. Working with a partner, students research a famous Los Angeles landmark and become experts on its history, significance, architecture, and unique features. With the help of dedicated parent volunteers, who generously sacrifice clean clothes and fingertips to paint and hot glue, students construct impressive replicas of their landmarks using recycled materials.

Students also collaborate across classes to write and perform creative skits in which they serve as tour guides, leading visitors through Los Angeles. In their performances, students teach audiences important facts, historical background, and fun details about their landmarks. Dressed in costume and standing before a green screen, students bring their tour to life while Communications Manager Carter Northrup transforms the performances into a 20-minute video touring Los Angeles landmarks.

At the Landmarks Show, families gather in John Dye Hall, surrounded by the incredible student-created landmarks on display. This year, Grade 3 students also performed an outstanding musical celebrating the rich musical history of Laurel Canyon in the 1960s, guided by our talented music teachers, Dr. Tyrell and Ms. Spurney. Students sang songs inspired by iconic Los Angeles artists, performed percussion pieces, and showcased their recorder skills in a joyful celebration of the city’s artistic legacy. Then, families enjoyed viewing the Touring LA Landmarks video before exploring the displayed landmarks, where students proudly shared details about how they researched, designed, and built their projects. 

This year, students also created a large-scale map of Los Angeles, identifying the coastline, major freeways, the original Los Angeles River, surrounding mountain ranges, and plotting the landmarks they studied throughout the year.

The Grade 3 Landmarks Project serves as a culminating celebration that brings together history, geography, government, math, science, art, music, writing, and performance, allowing students to showcase the knowledge and connections they have built throughout their year-long study of Los Angeles. By the end of Grade 3, students leave not only as experts on Los Angeles landmarks but with a deeper appreciation for the history, diversity, creativity, and community that make Los Angeles such a remarkable city to call home.