Social Studies Grade Five
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 Five
Students will explore the identity of Canada. They will learn about its geography,
that is, its landforms, river systems, climate, and vegetation. They will also
learn about places within the country, its national and regional symbols, and
its people, especially, heroes.
While learning about the country, students will develop and practice skills
in interpreting and creating maps. They will also research various topics that
will require them to conduct interviews and access, organize, and present information.
Major Concepts and Learning Objectives
Concepts
Identity
- country, province, territory, geographic features, climate, scale, symbols,
point of view, heroes
Knowledge Objectives
Students will know that:
- Canada is a country. (PSVS, N)
- its regions may be defined by geographic factors and political boundaries.
(CCT, N)
- symbols have come to be associated with Canada and its regions. (N,
TL)
- multiculturalism is part of the Canadian identity. (PSVS,
C)
Skills/Abilities Objectives
Students will:
- interpret various maps of Canada. (N,
TL, CCT)
- identify and describe climate and geographic features of a region. (C,
TL, N)
- learn to see relationships between/among climate, landforms, vegetation,
and population distribution. (N, CCT,
TL)
- identify and interpret symbols of Canada and its regions. (CCT,
TL, N)
- access, organize and share information about different aspects of Canada
and Canadians. (C, IL)
Attitudes/Values Objectives
Students will:
- appreciate and value the country's diversity. (PSVS,
N)
Citizen Action Objectives
Students may:
- work cooperatively in group tasks. (C,
PSVS)
- conduct a survey. (C,
IL, CCT)
- nominate, assess, and induct heroes into a local Hall of Fame. (PSVS,
CCT, IL,
C)
Suggestions for Integration
- Language Arts:
- Read/tell stories, legends, and factual material related to the people
and places of the country and its people. A theme such as "I am a Canadian"
may be developed in the personal or inquiry contexts. The sample unit "Heroes"
in the English Language Arts: A Curriculum Guide for Elementary Level
may be used.
- Mathematics:
- Work with grid, scale, and symbols. Interpret and create graphs and charts.
- Science:
- Concepts and material related to weather, climate, landforms, vegetation,
wildlife of the province. Core unit: Matter
and its Changes , and the optional
unit: Communities and Ecosystems .
- Arts Education:
- Art forms of cultural groups that make up Canada's rich multicultural mix.
Art forms include clothing, dance, music, stories, and folklore.
Student skills/abilities may be supported in all subjects.