Grade 2 Social Studies
7 units matched to the Alberta Curriculum. Kids see this subject as “Our World”.
Organizing ideas
- Focus: Canada, communities and heritage.
- Canada's physical regions and natural resources shape how communities live and work.
- Leaders in Canada, including the prime minister and the premiers, make decisions for the people they serve.
- Traditions and heritages across Canada include those of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, francophones and many other communities.
- Trade and transportation support communities by bringing people what they need.
- Democratic discussion and decision making need listening, respect, reasons and fair voting.
Units
Unit 1
Canada's Regions and Resources
Canada has several physical regions, such as the Cordillera (the western mountains), the Interior Plains (the Prairies), the Canadian Shield and the Arctic. Alberta is mostly in the Interior Plains and the Cordillera. Children also learn about natural resources and why we use them with care.
Learning outcome: Canada's physical regions and natural resources · Canada's land regions, and natural resources such as water, wood, oil and crops
Unit 2
Heritage Across Canada
Canada's communities have many languages, stories and traditions, including those of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and francophone peoples and newcomers from around the world. Children learn that these are living communities and that heritage deserves respect. The Indigenous content is light. Deeper content should be developed with First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners.
Learning outcome: traditions and heritages across Canada, including those of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, francophones, and diverse communities · the traditions of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, francophone and many other communities in Canada
Unit 3
Traditions & Celebrations
Well-known celebrations in Canada (such as Canada Day, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Eid, Hanukkah and Thanksgiving), and how food, songs, stories and language pass on heritage. First Nations, Métis and Inuit traditions are not covered here yet.
Learning outcome: traditions and heritages across Canada, including those of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, francophones, and diverse communities · celebrations and traditions in different families and communities
Unit 4
Groups in Our Community
The many groups and languages in a community, why families move, welcoming newcomers, and finding the places families come from on a globe or map.
Learning outcome: traditions and heritages across Canada, including those of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, francophones, and diverse communities · the groups and cultures that make up a community, and where families come from
Unit 5
Trade and Transportation
Communities trade goods and move them by truck, train, plane and ship. Trade and transportation bring people the things they cannot grow or make nearby, and let communities sell what they produce.
Learning outcome: ways trade and transportation support communities · how trade and transportation by road, rail, air and water bring communities what they need
Unit 6
Leaders in Canada
The prime minister leads Canada, a premier leads each province or territory and a mayor leads a city or town. Leaders are chosen by voting. This unit never names the people currently in these jobs, so it stays true over time.
Learning outcome: leaders in Canada, including the prime minister and the premiers · the prime minister, premiers and mayors, and how people choose their leaders
Unit 7
Talking and Deciding Together
Democratic habits start small: listening to every idea, waiting for a turn, giving reasons, disagreeing kindly and voting fairly. These help children take part in class and community decisions.
Learning outcome: competencies for democratic discussion and decision making · listening, taking turns, giving reasons, respecting different views and voting fairly
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