Social Studies Grade Four
Unit 1: Identity
Unit Overview for Grades 1 to 5
Learning at each grade level is organized around four units of study.
Unit 1 Identity Unit 3 Interdependence
Unit 2 Heritage Unit 4 Decision Making
This curriculum uses a spiral model for organizing learning objectives. With this
developmental model, concepts are introduced and developed within the context
of a theme and at a level appropriate for the students in the classroom. The unit
"Identity" is developed in the following way:
Unit Summary for Grade Four
As students explore the identity of the province of Saskatchewan, they will learn
about its geography (e.g., landforms, river systems, and climate); its vegetation
and animals; and its cities, towns, and parks. While learning about the province,
students will develop and practice skills in interpreting and creating maps.
They will become familiar with various people who have been recognized as
"heroes" in this province. Students will identify and apply criteria to name
heroes of their own.
Major Concepts and Learning Objectives
Concepts
Identity
- province, geographic features, map, scale, direction, grid, climate, symbols,
heroes
Knowledge Objectives
Students will know that:
- Saskatchewan, a province in Canada, has regions that may be defined by
landforms, climate, and vegetation. (CCT,
TL)
- various symbols have been identified to represent the province and its
regions. (TL, N,
PSVS)
- various kinds of communities exist in northern/southern, rural/urban areas
of the province. (N, CCT)
- population distribution is related to various factors including opportunities
for work. (N, PSVS)
- many Saskatchewan women, men, and children from many areas of work and
recreation may be recognized as heroes. (PSVS)
Skills/Abilities Objectives
Students will:
- interpret and create maps of local communities and the province. (C,
N, TL)
- learn to see relationships between/among climate, landforms, vegetation,
population distribution, and opportunities for work. (CCT,
C, PSVS,
TL)
- identify provincial and regional symbols and describe their significance.
(C, CCT)
Attitudes/Values Objectives
Students will:
- appreciate and value the province's diversity. (PSVS,
IL)
- appreciate and value the province as a desirable place to live and work.
(PSVS, CCT)
- value the achievements and contributions of people in their own community
and province. (PSVS)
Citizen Action Objectives
Students may:
- work cooperatively in group tasks. (PSVS,
C)
- practice seeing things from various points of view. (CCT,
C, PSVS)
- identify and apply criteria to name heroes. (C,
IL, PSVS)
Suggestions for Integration
- Language Arts:
- Read/tell relevant stories, legends, and factual material.
- Mathematics:
- Work with grid, distance, scale, symbols, graphs, and charts.
- Science:
- Concepts and material related to weather, climate, landforms, vegetation,
wildlife of the province.
- Arts Education:
- Saskatchewan art that depicts the geography and people of the province.
Use Learning to See pp. 328 - 331 of
Arts Education: A Curriculum Guide for Grade 4 to develop understandings
about the constructed environment, signs, and symbols.
Student skills/abilities may be supported in all subjects.