Social Studies

There are 2 units in Grade 5 Social Studies:

Unit 1: Physical Geography of Canada and Unit 2: Canada, Our Country. 

 

Unit 1 focuses on the geographic vastness of Canada by studying the 6 regions: Atlantic Region, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands, Canadian Shield, Interior Plains, Cordillera Region, and the Arctic Region. Throughout the unit, students will recognize the physical features, natural resources, and climates of each region as well as begin to understand that people feel connected to the region they live in and that how people work, live, and play is influenced by where they live. Unit 1 consists of Chapters 1-7 (pg. 2-219) in the text, Voices of Canada. 

 

Unit 2 focuses on the diversity of Canadians and how their stories contribute to Canada's identity, key events that shaped ways of life in Canada, and how acts of citizenship add to Canadians quality of life. Students will appreciate how changes have an impact on citizenship and identity, and how economic and political changes have an impact on whays of life of citizens. They will recognize the effects of Confederation on citizenship and identity from multiple perspectives and understand the historical significance of French and English as Canada's official languages. Unit 2 consists of Chapters 8-12 (pg. 222-329) in the text, Voices of Canada. 

The documents below are the task cards for each table. If you sit at table 1, your task is explained on Card #1, and so on... 

 

Chapter 1 Task Cards:

 

Amazing Race Geography .docx (245428)
Amazing Race Geography 2.docx (238189)

 

Chapter 2 Task Cards:

 

Amazing Race - Ch. 2.docx (216545)
Amazing Race - Ch. 2 .docx (263269)

 

Text p. 16-31

General Outcomes – Student “I Can” Statements:

Values and Attitudes

Students will value Canada’s physical geography and natural environment:

· I can explain that there is a diversity of geographic features in Canada

· I can explain the importance of the land to Canadian communities, and the many ways that Canadians use the land

· I can describe how the environment and natural resources affect workers and communities in Canada

· I can describe Canada’s size and explain the impact of this on Canadians

Knowledge and Understanding

Students will example the physical geography of Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

· I can describe the major geographical regions and bodies of water that are important to Canada

· I can explain how the quality of life of Canadians is affected by where they live

· I can describe the similarities and differences between regions in Canada

· I can describe how where I live is different from other regions in Canada

· I can explain how geographic features and location affect climate in different regions in Canada 

· I can explain how natural resources and physical geography influence where communities are built

Skills and Processes

· I can understand how different people would feel about an issue

· I can determine if information I access using technology is related to what I am tying to find out, and I have strategies to find out if it is accurate

· I can locate places in Canada on maps and globes using latitude and longitude

· I can use compass directions to locate places on maps and globes

· I can use a map scale to find out the distance between places on maps and globes

· I can use different technological tools to organize information and solve problems

· I can demonstrate positive ways to work with others by listening carefully and trying to understand those who have different opinions than I have

· I can describe what is similar and what is important in the information I have accessed

· I can use a variety of methods to organize and interpret information

· I can use technology to access additional information using links

· I can demonstrate respect for differences when responding to comments or answering questions

· I can listen to my classmates to understand their thoughts and ideas

· I can use technological tools to effectively share information with different audiences

Chapter 1 Topics

1.     What’s My Region?

2.     What Makes a Region?

    — A region shares physical features
    — A region shares climate
    — A region shares natural resources

3.     People Feel Connected to Regions

    — Communities within a region

4.     What Affects Life in a Region?

5.     Exploring Canada’s Peoples

    — The First Nations, Inuit, and Metis
    — The French and English
    — Coming to Canada