Curricular Outcomes
The program of studies for the grade level you teach can be found here. In addition to the grade specific curriculum, there are also general social studies outcomes for the following areas:
See the below list for some potential related student outcomes that may aid you in the creation of your lessons and/or art project. Please note: you may also refer to the program of studies of your specific grade level(s) taught for additional student learning outcomes.
- Values & Attitudes
- Knowledge and Understanding
- Skills and Processes
- Core Concepts of Citizenship and Identity
- Aboriginal Perspectives & Experiences
- Diversity & Cohesion
- Learners and Learning
- Issues-Focused Approach to Social Studies
See the below list for some potential related student outcomes that may aid you in the creation of your lessons and/or art project. Please note: you may also refer to the program of studies of your specific grade level(s) taught for additional student learning outcomes.
Values & Attitudes
Social studies provides learning opportunities for students to:
Knowledge & Understanding
Social studies provides learning opportunities for students to:
Skills & Processes
Social studies provides learning opportunities for students to:
Core Concepts Of Citizenship & Identity
The goal of social studies is to provide learning opportunities for students to:
The sense of being a citizen, enjoying individual and collective rights and equitable status in contemporary society, impacts an individual's sense of identity. Individuals need to feel that their identities are viewed as legitimate before they can contribute to the public good and feel a sense of belonging and empowerment as citizens.
Social studies provides learning opportunities for students to:
Social Studies & Aboriginal Perspectives & Experiences
For historical and constitutional reasons, an understanding of Canada requires an understanding:
Central to Aboriginal identity are languages and cultures that link each group with its physical world, worldviews and traditions. The role of Elders and community leaders is essential in this linkage.
The social studies program of studies provides learning opportunities that contribute to the development of self-esteem and identity in Aboriginal students by:
Diversity & Cohesion
One of the goals of the social studies program is to foster understanding of the roles and contributions of linguistic, cultural and ethnic groups in Canada. Students will learn about themselves in relation to others. Social studies helps students to function as citizens in a society that values diversity and cohesion.
A key component of effective social organizations, communities and institutions is recognition of diversity of experiences and perspectives. The program of studies emphasizes how diversity and differences are assets that enrich our lives. Students will have opportunities to value diversity, to recognize differences as positive attributes and to recognize the evolving nature of individual identities. Race, socio-economic conditions and gender are among various forms of identification that people live with and experience in a variety of ways.
Social studies addresses diversity and social cohesion and provides processes that students can use to work out differences, drawing on the strengths of diversity. These processes include:
Diversity contributes to the development of a vibrant democratic society. Through the interactions of place and historical processes of change, diversity has been an important asset in the evolution of Canadian society. Some key manifestations of this diversity include:
Social Studies: Learners & Learning
Students bring their own perspectives, cultures and experiences to the social studies classroom. They construct meaning in the context of their lived experience through active inquiry and engagement with their school and community. In this respect, the infusion of current events, issues and concerns is an essential component of social studies.
Social studies recognizes the interconnections and interactions among school, community, provincial, national and global institutions.
The Alberta program of studies for social studies provides learning opportunities for students to develop skills of active and responsible citizenship and the capacity to inquire, make reasoned and informed judgments, and arrive at decisions for the public good.
Students become engaged and involved in their communities by:
Issues-Focused Approach to Teaching Social Studies
A focus on issues through deliberation is intrinsic to the multidisciplinary nature of social studies and to democratic life in a pluralistic society. An issues-focused approach presents opportunities to address learning outcomes by engaging students in active inquiry and application of knowledge and critical thinking skills. These skills help students to identify the relevance of an issue by guiding them to develop informed positions and respect for the positions of others. This process enables students to question, validate, expand and express their understanding; to challenge their presuppositions; and to construct their own points of view.
The program of studies is designed to promote metacognition through critical reflection, questioning, decision making and consideration of multiple perspectives on issues. Through this process, students will strive to understand and explain the world in the present and to determine what kind of world they want in the future.
Current Affairs
Social studies fosters the development of citizens who are informed and engaged in current affairs. Accordingly, current affairs play a central role in learning and are integrated throughout the program. Ongoing reference to current affairs adds relevance, interest and immediacy to social studies issues. Investigating current affairs from multiple perspectives motivates students to engage in meaningful dialogue on relevant historical and contemporary issues, helping them to make informed and reasoned decisions on local, provincial, national and global issues.
An issues-focused approach that incorporates multiple perspectives and current affairs helps students apply problem-solving and decision-making skills to real-life and controversial issues.
In order to allow opportunities for students to engage in current affairs, issues and concerns of a local nature, the program of studies provides the flexibility to include these topics within the time allotted for social studies.
Opportunities may include:
Controversial Issues
Controversial issues are those topics that are publicly sensitive and upon which there is no consensus of values or beliefs. They include topics on which reasonable people may sincerely disagree. Opportunities to deal with these issues are an integral part of social studies education in Alberta.
Studying controversial issues is important in preparing students to participate responsibly in a democratic and pluralistic society. Such study provides opportunities to develop the ability to think clearly, to reason logically, to open-mindedly and respectfully examine different points of view and to make sound judgments.
Controversial issues that have been anticipated by the teacher, and those that may arise incidentally during instruction, should be used by the teacher to promote critical inquiry and teach thinking skills.
Social studies provides learning opportunities for students to:
- value the diversity, respect the dignity and support the equality of all human beings
- demonstrate social compassion, fairness and justice
- appreciate and respect how multiple perspectives, including Aboriginal and Francophone, shape Canada's political, socio-economic, linguistic and cultural realities
- thrive in their evolving identity with a legitimate sense of belonging to their communities, Canada and the world
- demonstrate a global consciousness with respect to humanity and world issues
- value lifelong learning and opportunities for careers in the areas of social studies and the social sciences.
Knowledge & Understanding
Social studies provides learning opportunities for students to:
- understand their rights and responsibilities in order to make informed decisions and participate fully in society
- understand the unique nature of Canada and its land, history, complexities and current issues
- understand how knowledge of the history of Alberta, of Canada and of the world, contributes to a better comprehension of contemporary realities
- understand historic and contemporary issues, including controversial issues, from multiple perspectives
- understand contemporary challenges and contributions of Aboriginal peoples in urban, rural, cultural and linguistic settings
- understand the challenges and opportunities that immigration presents to newcomers and to Canada
- understand how social cohesion can be achieved in a pluralistic society
- understand how political and economic distribution of power affects individuals, communities and nations
- understand the role of social, political, economic and legal institutions as they relate to individual and collective well-being and a sustainable society
- understand how opportunities and responsibilities change in an increasingly interdependent world
- understand that humans exist in a dynamic relationship with the natural environment.
Skills & Processes
Social studies provides learning opportunities for students to:
- engage in active inquiry and critical and creative thinking
- engage in problem solving and conflict resolution with an awareness of the ethical consequences of decision making
- apply historical and geographic skills to bring meaning to issues and events
- use and manage information and communication technologies critically
- recognize and responsibly address injustices as they occur in their schools, communities, Canada and the world
- communicate ideas and information in an informed, organized and persuasive manner.
Core Concepts Of Citizenship & Identity
The goal of social studies is to provide learning opportunities for students to:
- demonstrate a critical understanding of individual and collective rights
- understand the commitment required to ensure the vitality and sustainability of their changing communities at the local, provincial, national and global levels
- respect the dignity and support the equality of all human beings.
The sense of being a citizen, enjoying individual and collective rights and equitable status in contemporary society, impacts an individual's sense of identity. Individuals need to feel that their identities are viewed as legitimate before they can contribute to the public good and feel a sense of belonging and empowerment as citizens.
Social studies provides learning opportunities for students to:
- understand the complexity of identity formation in the Canadian context
- understand how identity and self-esteem are shaped by multiple personal, social, linguistic and cultural factors
- demonstrate sensitivity to the personal and emotional aspects of identity
- demonstrate skills required to maintain individuality within a group
- understand that with empowerment comes personal and collective responsibility for the public good.
Social Studies & Aboriginal Perspectives & Experiences
For historical and constitutional reasons, an understanding of Canada requires an understanding:
- of Aboriginal perspectives
- of Aboriginal experiences
- that Aboriginal students have particular needs and requirements.
Central to Aboriginal identity are languages and cultures that link each group with its physical world, worldviews and traditions. The role of Elders and community leaders is essential in this linkage.
The social studies program of studies provides learning opportunities that contribute to the development of self-esteem and identity in Aboriginal students by:
- promoting and encouraging a balanced and holistic individual and strengthening individual capacity
- honouring and valuing the traditions, concepts and symbols that are the expression of their identity
- providing opportunities for students to express who they are with confidence as they interact and engage with others
- contributing to the development of active and responsible members of groups and communities.
Diversity & Cohesion
One of the goals of the social studies program is to foster understanding of the roles and contributions of linguistic, cultural and ethnic groups in Canada. Students will learn about themselves in relation to others. Social studies helps students to function as citizens in a society that values diversity and cohesion.
A key component of effective social organizations, communities and institutions is recognition of diversity of experiences and perspectives. The program of studies emphasizes how diversity and differences are assets that enrich our lives. Students will have opportunities to value diversity, to recognize differences as positive attributes and to recognize the evolving nature of individual identities. Race, socio-economic conditions and gender are among various forms of identification that people live with and experience in a variety of ways.
Social studies addresses diversity and social cohesion and provides processes that students can use to work out differences, drawing on the strengths of diversity. These processes include:
- a commitment to respecting differences and fostering inclusiveness
- an understanding and appreciation for shared values
- a respect for democratic principles and processes for decision making such as dialogue and deliberation.
Diversity contributes to the development of a vibrant democratic society. Through the interactions of place and historical processes of change, diversity has been an important asset in the evolution of Canadian society. Some key manifestations of this diversity include:
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures
- official bilingualism
- immigration
- multiculturalism.
- individual and collective rights
- civic responsibilities
- shared values
- democracy
- rule of law
- diversity
Social Studies: Learners & Learning
Students bring their own perspectives, cultures and experiences to the social studies classroom. They construct meaning in the context of their lived experience through active inquiry and engagement with their school and community. In this respect, the infusion of current events, issues and concerns is an essential component of social studies.
Social studies recognizes the interconnections and interactions among school, community, provincial, national and global institutions.
The Alberta program of studies for social studies provides learning opportunities for students to develop skills of active and responsible citizenship and the capacity to inquire, make reasoned and informed judgments, and arrive at decisions for the public good.
Students become engaged and involved in their communities by:
- asking questions
- making connections with their local community
- writing letters and articles
- sharing ideas and understandings
- listening to and collaborating and working with others to design the future
- empathizing with the viewpoints and positions of others
- creating new ways to solve problems.
Issues-Focused Approach to Teaching Social Studies
A focus on issues through deliberation is intrinsic to the multidisciplinary nature of social studies and to democratic life in a pluralistic society. An issues-focused approach presents opportunities to address learning outcomes by engaging students in active inquiry and application of knowledge and critical thinking skills. These skills help students to identify the relevance of an issue by guiding them to develop informed positions and respect for the positions of others. This process enables students to question, validate, expand and express their understanding; to challenge their presuppositions; and to construct their own points of view.
The program of studies is designed to promote metacognition through critical reflection, questioning, decision making and consideration of multiple perspectives on issues. Through this process, students will strive to understand and explain the world in the present and to determine what kind of world they want in the future.
Current Affairs
Social studies fosters the development of citizens who are informed and engaged in current affairs. Accordingly, current affairs play a central role in learning and are integrated throughout the program. Ongoing reference to current affairs adds relevance, interest and immediacy to social studies issues. Investigating current affairs from multiple perspectives motivates students to engage in meaningful dialogue on relevant historical and contemporary issues, helping them to make informed and reasoned decisions on local, provincial, national and global issues.
An issues-focused approach that incorporates multiple perspectives and current affairs helps students apply problem-solving and decision-making skills to real-life and controversial issues.
In order to allow opportunities for students to engage in current affairs, issues and concerns of a local nature, the program of studies provides the flexibility to include these topics within the time allotted for social studies.
Opportunities may include:
- current events in local communities
- issues with local, provincial, national and/or global relevance
- visits from dignitaries
- special events.
Controversial Issues
Controversial issues are those topics that are publicly sensitive and upon which there is no consensus of values or beliefs. They include topics on which reasonable people may sincerely disagree. Opportunities to deal with these issues are an integral part of social studies education in Alberta.
Studying controversial issues is important in preparing students to participate responsibly in a democratic and pluralistic society. Such study provides opportunities to develop the ability to think clearly, to reason logically, to open-mindedly and respectfully examine different points of view and to make sound judgments.
Controversial issues that have been anticipated by the teacher, and those that may arise incidentally during instruction, should be used by the teacher to promote critical inquiry and teach thinking skills.