Urban Vs Suburban Communities: 7 Fun And Simple Lesson Plans

This is a photo of Urban vs Suburban communities teaching made simple for 2nd or 3rd graders.

Have you ever watched a child’s face light up when they suddenly get how the world around them works? That spark—that moment of connection—is one of the BEST parts of teaching, and it’s especially powerful when we dive into a unit all about communities!

Because here’s the thing: teaching about the 3 types of communities—urban vs suburban and rural—isn’t just about facts and vocabulary. It’s about helping kids see where they belong, recognize how urban vs suburban living differs, and celebrate the beautiful diversity in how people live, work, and play.

This unit is packed with meaningful conversations, real-world connections, and hands-on fun that your second and third graders will absolutely love. So let’s take a peek at how to bring these lessons to life!

Lesson 1: What Is a Community, Anyway?

This is a photo of vocabulary cards that a teacher can use to teach their class about the 3 different types of communities.

We’re kicking things off with a good ol’ class discussion—and trust me, your kiddos will have lots to say! This is the perfect way to ease into the topic before diving into the 3 types of communities: urban, suburban, and rural.

Start by asking students about their own neighborhoods:

Where do you live?
What do you like to do nearby?
What kinds of places do you visit with your family?

As they share, create a class anchor chart together. Include key features like homes, transportation, parks, stores, and schools—this sets the stage for deeper conversations about what makes each type of community unique.

You can also use picture cards or real-life photos to highlight the differences between urban vs suburban and rural communities. Let their curiosity guide the discussion!

Wrap up with a hands-on activity from your lesson plan (because learning should be fun and memorable). Bonus: thee 3 types of communities worksheets (HERE) make great options for early finishers, social studies centers, or even homework. Teacher win!

Lesson 2: What is the difference between suburban urban and rural?

This is a photo of an activity that teachers kids about the different types of communities. It is a picture of 2 worksheets that go with the book town mouse country mouse and country kid, city kid.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the differences between the 3 types of communities—and why those differences matter!

Start by chatting about the perks of each type of community. For example, urban areas might have more restaurants, museums, and public transportation. Suburban neighborhoods might offer bigger yards, quieter streets, and lots of space to play. And rural communities? They often have wide open spaces, farms, and a slower pace of life—plus some seriously beautiful scenery!

Ask guiding questions like:

How does where we live affect how we get around?
What kinds of things can you do in an urban community that might be different from a suburban or rural one?

Then it’s story time! Gather your class on the carpet with a book like Country Kid, City Kid, or Town Mouse, Country Mouse—both are perfect for exploring the 3 types of communities through characters your students can connect with.

As you read, have students jot down their observations on a recording sheet or notepad. Encourage them to listen closely for clues about where each character lives—is it urban, suburban, or even rural?

When the story wraps up, spark a class discussion:

What kind of community did each character live in?
What were the biggest differences?
How did those settings shape their daily lives?

This kind of comparison helps kids really understand the difference between suburban, urban, and rural communities and gives them the language to talk about their own experiences.

Wrap it up with a creative reflection:
👉 Have students draw a picture and write a sentence explaining which community they’d rather live in—and why. You’ll get a peek into their thinking and the drawings. Pure gold.

Lesson 3: Let’s Talk About Urban Communities

This is a photo of urban community activities and worksheets for 2nd or 3rd graders.

Now that your students understand that communities can look very different, it’s time to zoom in on urban communities—aka big city life!

Start by talking about what makes urban areas unique: tall buildings, busy streets, public transportation, and lots of people living and working close together. Show a fact sheet about urban communities and name some cities your students might recognize—like New York, Houston, Los Angeles, or even your own hometown!

This is also a great moment to introduce vocabulary words like skyscraper, subway, or public transit—especially if your learners are ready to level up their language!

Next, guide a conversation about some of the challenges and benefits of urban vs suburban living. Talk about how communities might need more support with things like traffic, noise, or even finding space to play. This opens the door for empathy and creative thinking.

Then, let students show what they’ve learned!

They can complete a recording sheet to review key features of urban communities.
Or choose a hands-on extension activity—like matching images, sorting features, or drawing their own version of a bustling city scene.

This focused look at urban life helps students see how each of the 3 types of communities plays a different role in the world—and gives them a chance to picture what it might be like to live somewhere totally different from where they are now!

Lesson 4: Spotlight on Suburban Communities

This is a photo of suburban community activities and worksheets for 2nd or 3rd graders.

Now that your students have explored the big city, it’s time to shift gears and take a look at those in-between spaces—suburban communities!

Suburbs are the sweet spot where there’s a little bit of city and a little bit of country. Think: neighborhoods with sidewalks, parks nearby, houses with yards, and families hopping in the car to get to school or the grocery store. Use your fact sheet to highlight what makes suburban life unique.

Then, spark a discussion! Ask questions like:

Have you ever visited a suburb?
What did you notice about how people live there?
How does it compare to urban or rural communities?

This is the perfect time to encourage students to think about their own preferences when it comes to urban vs suburban lifestyles—and why they feel that way. Real-world connections help make the learning stick, so don’t be afraid to bring up examples from your own town or even your school’s location!

Just like before, students can complete a recording sheet to capture what they’ve learned. Afterward, they can:

Draw their own version of a suburban neighborhood
Or dive into an engaging extension activity from your resource pack (sorting, matching, labeling—you name it!)

This lesson helps kids really see the differences between the 3 types of communities and reflect on what kind of environment they’d thrive in.

Lesson 5: Rolling Into Rural Communities

This is a photo of a rural communities activities and worksheets for 2nd or 3rd graders.

Let’s slow things down a bit and explore rural communities—the wide-open spaces filled with farms, small towns, and peaceful country roads.

Start by showing students the rural community fact sheet and guide a conversation about what life looks like when:

There are fewer people
Homes and buildings are spread out
There’s more land and natural space
It takes longer to travel to places like the grocery store, school, or doctor’s office

This is a great time to compare rural life to what students learned about urban vs suburban communities. Ask them to think about how each setting might feel different and what kind of lifestyle each one offers.

Next, have students complete their recording sheet to show what they’ve learned about rural communities.

Then, let them choose from a few fun options to reflect and get creative:

Draw a picture of a rural scene (maybe with a barn, tractor, or animals!)
Complete a sorting activity that compares all 3 types of communities
Work on a mini booklet or writing prompt about life in the country

This lesson gives students a full-circle understanding of what is the difference between suburban urban and rural communities—and helps them connect it all in a meaningful way.

Lesson 6: My Community, My Story

This is a photo of a Me on the map and my community activity and worksheet for 2nd or 3rd graders.

Now that your students have explored all 3 types of communities, it’s time to bring it home—literally! This lesson helps kids reflect on their own community and how it shapes their daily lives.

Begin with a class discussion to help students connect big ideas to their own experiences. Gather everyone together and ask:

What kind of homes do you live in?
How do you get around—by car, bus, bike, or on foot?
What places do you visit regularly (like parks, stores, or schools)?

As students share, record their responses on the board or create a simple anchor chart. Then, pose the big question:
What type of community do you think you live in—urban, suburban, or rural?

This is a great opportunity to revisit the differences between urban vs suburban life and how those environments affect things like transportation, housing, and routines.

Once students have made their decision, it’s time to get creative!

Have them draw a picture of their own community
Then write a sentence (or two!) about what makes it special to them

This personal connection makes the learning stick—and gives you a sweet little peek into how they see the world around them. Display their work in the hallway or create a class book to celebrate the unique communities they call home! It’s a beautiful way to affirm identity and build classroom community too!

Lesson 7: Wrap-Up & Review – Community Sort + End-of-Unit Quiz

This is a photo of a 3 types of communities cut and sort activities and quiz for 2nd or 3rd graders.

You made it—time to bring it all together in a way that’s hands-on, engaging, and just plain fun!

Start the day by putting students into small groups for a community sorting activity. Using picture and description cards, each group will decide which type of community each item belongs to:

Urban
Suburban
Rural

This interactive sort is a great way to reinforce the differences between urban vs suburban and rural lifestyles while also revisiting what makes the different communities unique.

As students work together, they’ll be practicing critical thinking, communication, and a whole lot of community vocab. You’ll love listening in on their conversations—this is when all the learning really shines!

And to wrap things up? Give your students a short end-of-unit quiz to check for understanding. It’s a simple way to assess what they’ve learned and celebrate how much they now know about the 3 types of communities.

Bonus: Most students love showing off what they know at this point—and the quiz gives them that extra little confidence boost before moving on to your next social studies unit!

Ready to Go Types of Communities Worksheets

This is a photo of a pack of worksheets and lesson plans that teach 2nd and 3rd graders about 3 types of communities.

Need a no-prep way to reinforce the differences between urban, suburban, and rural communities? These Ready-to-Go Types of Communities Worksheets are just what you need!

Whether you’re wrapping up a lesson, setting up a center, or looking for meaningful activities for early finishers, these print-and-go pages are designed to make learning stick—without the stress. From sorting exercises to vocabulary reviews and creative drawing prompts, these worksheets give students the chance to show what they know in fun, engaging ways. Best of all? Your students will love them!

💬 Bringing It All Together

By the end of this unit, your students won’t just be able to tell you the difference between a city and a suburb—they’ll understand the people, places, and lifestyles that shape each community. You’re giving them the tools to think critically, appreciate diversity, and feel proud of where they come from. That’s powerful stuff.

Ready to make your week stress-free and engaging? Grab this done-for-you community unit and enjoy meaningful, low-prep lessons that help your students connect with the world—and each other. Because social studies doesn’t have to be complicated… it just needs to be real.

Let’s keep raising thoughtful, curious, community-loving kids—one lesson at a time! 🏙️🏡🌾