Overview
The social studies program provides a multidisciplinary lens through which students are able to respond to issues affecting their lives in a complex and increasingly interdependent world. Social studies enables students to become active citizens striving to make our world a better place.
In order to engage in active citizenship, students need to develop a deep understanding of fundamental concepts in the disciplines of economics, geography, history and political science. This knowledge must also be accompanied by the ability to analyse issues, respond critically and creatively, and make informed decisions in all areas of living.
The general curriculum outcomes of the social studies program Kindergarten to Level III are organized around six conceptual strands.
Citizenship, Power, and Governance
Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the origins, functions, and sources of power, authority, and governance.
Culture and Diversity
Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of culture, diversity, and world view, recognizing the similarities and differences reflected in various personal, cultural, racial, and ethnic perspectives.
Individuals, Societies, and Economic Decisions
Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to make responsible economic decisions as individuals and as members of society.
Interdependence
Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the interdependent relationship among individuals, societies, and the environment – locally, nationally, and globally – and the implications for a sustainable future.
People, Place, And Environment
Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the interactions among people, places, and the environment.
Time, Continuity, And Change
Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the past and how it affects the present and the future.
Each grade level has its own conceptual organizer and accompanying themes.
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Foundation for the Atlantic Canada Social Studies Curriculum
Kindergarten / Maternelle
The conceptual organizer for this course is connections. Students examine how people, places, and events are interrelated with a focus on an understanding of community. Students develop an understanding of how community and belonging influence their daily lives.
Topics in this course include:
- identity (as an individual and part of groups)
- shared needs and wants
- positive group interactions
- communicating the passage of time
- short- and long-term goal-setting
- natural and human features of the environment
- communicating spatial relationships
- using or creating simple maps
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Grade 1 / 1re année
The conceptual organizer for this course is interactions. Students explore the various ways people interact among themselves and with the world around them. The course introduces students to four types of interaction: economic, geographic, historical and political.
Topics in this course include:
- group rights and responsibilities
- interactions of peoples with natural and constructed
- environments
- how people depend upon their environment;
- environmental stewardship
- the relationship between geography and history
- the idea of change over time
- the economic concepts of needs and wants
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Grade 2 / 2e année
The conceptual organizer for this course is change. Students explore change as it relates to people, technology, economics, and the environment. They develop an awareness that change is a part of their lives, and explore its influence on their lives.
Topics in this course include:
- individual, group, and community change
- the changing nature of technology
- economic decision-making
- supply and demand
- the changing nature of work
- change in the physical environment
- sustainable development
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Grade 3 / 3e année
The conceptual organizer for this course is provincial identity. Students explore the idea of what it means to be a citizen of Newfoundland and Labrador as they examine geographic, cultural and political factors.
Topics in this course include:
- physical features
- community
- cultures and traditions of Newfoundland and Labrador
- values and cross-cultural understanding
- power, authority, and decision making
- the provincial system of government
- active citizenship
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Grade 4 / 4e année
The conceptual organizer for this course is exploration. Students consider how exploration impacts both the people exploring and the people, place, or idea explored. The context of exploration develops the notion of cause and consequence. Students learn to see themselves as explorers and gain an awareness of how this process empowers them.
Topics in this course include:
- motives for exploration
- challenges in exploration
- economic factors in exploration
- the ethics of exploration
- global physical features
- human-environmental interactions
- Canada’s geographic regions
- Canada’s population distribution
- Canada’s federal system of government
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Grade 5 / 5e année
The organizing concept for this course is societies. Students investigate similarities and differences among societies from the ancient, middle, and modern eras. They explore the idea of time, continuity and change through a focus on the history of the Atlantic region from indigenous peoples to early European settlement.
Topics in this course include:
- roles of archaeologists and historians
- the use of primary sources to construct historical knowledge
- the influence of environment on society
- the social structure of societies
- decision-making practices
- interactions with other societies
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Grade 6 / 6e année
The conceptual organizer for this course is culture. Students reflect on the importance of cross-cultural understanding as they explore the diversity and similarities among cultures throughout the world. They also examine contemporary world issues and investigate the extent to which globalization affects culture.
Topics in this course include:
- economic systems
- government and governance
- literature and fine arts
- religion
- sport and recreation
- the influence of physical environments on culture
- traditions and rituals
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Grade 7 / 7e année
The conceptual organizer for this course is empowerment. Students explore having the means, opportunity, power or authority to be assertive, independent, and to take action in the context of Canadian history, 1800 to 1920. Students develop an appreciation of the significant impact that authority and power have in our lives.
Topics of empowerment in this course include:
- cultural
- economic
- national
- personal
- political
- social
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Grade 8 / 8e année
The conceptual organizer for this course is history. Students investigate Newfoundland and Labrador history, 1800 to present. Students explore how the present is shaped by the past, how perspective influences the creation of historical narratives, and how this knowledge can be used to respond to current issues.
Topics in this course include:
- Confederation
- economic change
- historical research methods
- modernization and industrialization
- political and social change
- the influence of the physical environment on lifestyles
- the origins, settlement and interactions among people living in Newfoundland and Labrador in the 1800s
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Grade 9 / 9e année
The conceptual organizer for this course is identity. It builds on the skills and concepts of previous years and continues the chronology of social studies 7. Students explore the varied perspectives of what it meant / means to be a Canadian citizen, in the period from 1920 to the present.
Topics examined in this course include:
- how Canadian identity(ies) may evolve over time
- how historical events and trends have contributed to the
- development of Canadian identity(ies)
- how political thought has influenced Canadian identity(ies)
- the influence of the physical environment on identity
- the significance of the concept of identity
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Social Studies 1201 / Sciences humaines 1231
This course is designed to meet the academic needs of the majority of students. It is highly recommended for students considering a university program in areas such as the arts, business, education, law and police studies as it provides exposure to foundational content and skills.
This course introduces students to (i) citizenship and civics in a Canadian context, and (ii) microeconomics and macroeconomics.
- Power, Privilege, & Active Citizenship
- Human Rights
- Canada’s Political System
- Canadian Law
- Economic Decision-making
- Demand and Supply
- Specialization and Trade
- Government and the Economy
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Social Studies 1202
This course is designed to provide students with the understandings and critical-thinking skills for students planning to enter into the trades or directly enter the workforce.
- Power, Privilege, & Active Citizenship
- Human Rights
- Canada’s Political System
- Canadian Law
- Economic Decision-making
- Demand and Supply
- Specialization and Trade
- Government and the Economy
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Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205
This course examines the culture and heritage of the province. It draws from the content and processes used in both the arts and the social sciences to encourage students to think deeply about “this place”. Students represent their knowledge and understandings using forms such as drama, photography, song, and storytelling.
Students become better informed citizens who can contribute to shaping the future of the province. They serve as culture-bearers, helping preserve the rich, diverse culture and varied history of “this place”.
Note: This course may be used to satisfy either Fine Arts or Social Studies (Canadian Studies) graduation requirements.
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Social Studies 2201 / Sciences humaines 2231
This course engages students in an examination of the human experience and the complex relationships between ideas, economics, politics, and international relations; students develop the ability to investigate and respond cogently to multifaceted questions.
This course provides the necessary context for topics examined in Social Studies 3201 / Science humaines 3231; topics include:
- Ideas, Innovation and Technological Change
- Governance and the Rights of Citizens
- Capitalism and Responses to Inequality
- Conflict and Cooperation
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Social Studies 2202
This course engages students in an examination of the human experience and the complex relationships between ideas, economics, politics, and international relations; students develop the ability to investigate and respond cogently to multifaceted questions.
The topics are the same as those in Social Studies 2201, with reduced depth of treatment. Topics include:
- Ideas, Innovation and Technological Change
- Governance and the Rights of Citizens
- Capitalism and Responses to Inequality
Note: Social Studies 1202 is recommended before students attempt Social Studies 2202.
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Social Studies 3201 / Sciences humaines 3231
Building on Social Studies 2201 / Science humaines 2231, this course asks students to examine various quality-of-life experiences that humans face today and to consider how quality of life can be improved for all humanity. This examination integrates economic, environmental, political, and social perspectives as well as the themes of quality of life, globalization, and sustainability. Students continue to improve their ability to investigate and respond cogently to complex issues.
Topics include:
- Quality of Life
- Globalization and Sustainability
- Political Economy
- Population Change
- Environmental Issues
- Responding to Issues
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Social Studies 3202
This course asks students to examine – and respond to – various issues related to quality of life. In responding to these issues, students consider how quality of life can be improved for everyone. Students use economic, environmental, political, and social perspectives, as well as the themes of quality of life, globalization, and sustainability. Students continue to improve their ability to investigate and respond cogently to issues.
The topics are the same as those in Social Studies 3201, with reduced depth of treatment. Topics include:
Topics include:
- Quality of Life
- Globalization and Sustainability
- Political Economy
- Population Change
- Environmental Issues
- Responding to Issues
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