SOCIAL STUDIES 5
BIG IDEAS
Natural resources continue to shape the economy and identity of different regions of Canada.

 
​Canada’s policies for and treatment of minority peoples have negative and positive legacies.
Immigration and multiculturalism continue to shape Canadian society and identity.
Canadian institutions and government reflect the challenge of our regional diversity.

What to expect this year?

In Social Studies this year, we will  be exploring the development of Canada as a nation, British Columbia as a province, and North Vancouver as a city. This course focuses on how Canada came to be! We will look at events such as the building of the railroad, the fur trade, and the Fraser and Cariboo Gold Rush, and discuss how they helped shape our country. We will also look at the people of Canada, and talk about the challenges both immigrants and First Nations Peoples faced, as well as the contributions they made in forging Canada’s identity.

Social Studies is not just about history! We will also talk about the geography of Canada and British Columbia, and explore all the natural resources this country has to offer. While we’re discovering the physical environment of Canada, we will also discuss sustainability and the changing environment.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to come to class with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and participate. Remember, the more you are engaged in the course, the more interesting it will be. If possible, please let me know in advance if you are going to be absent; it will be up to you to find out what work you have missed, and catch up on it promptly. I am always around for extra help, so make sure you find me if you have questions or need assistance with something. I look forward to working with you.
GRADE 5 SOCIAL STUDIES LEARNING OUTCOMES

Skills and Processes of Social Studies
  • apply critical thinking skills - including hypothesizing, comparing, imagining, inferring, identifying patterns and summarizing - to a range of problems and issues
  • use maps and timelines to locate, interpret and represent major physical, political and economic features of BC and Canada
  • gather a body of information from a variety of primary and secondary sources
  • create a presentation on a selected topic
  • defend a position on a selected topic
  • implement a plan of action to address a selected school, community or national problem


​Identify, Society and Culture
  • describe the significance of key events and factors in the development of BC and Canada, including
               - the fur trade
               - the railroad
               - the Fraser/Cariboo gold rush
  • assess why immigrants came to Canada, the individual challenges they faced, and their contributions to Canada
  • describe the contributions of significant individuals to the development of Canada's identity
Governance
  • demonstrate knowledge of how Confederation formed Canada as a nation
  • describe levels, responsibilities and the election of government in Canada
  • identify the distinct governance structures of First Nations in Canada
Economy and Technology
  • analyse the relationship between the economic development of communities and their available resources
  • analyse the development of transportation systems in BC and Canada
Human and Physical Environment
  • describe the major physical regions of Canada
  • describe the location of natural resources within BC and Canada, including
              - fish and marine resources
              - forests
              - minerals
              - energy resources
  • explain why sustainability is important
  • analyse environment effect of settlement in early BC and Canada