Grade 2 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 2 social studies in the Alberta Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- 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.
Easy ways to practise social studies at home
- Look at a map of your community and find places you visit.
- Ask an older relative or neighbour what the area was like when they were young.
- Read stories from many communities, including Indigenous authors, and talk about what is the same and different.
- Talk about how rules and jobs help a community work.
What each unit covers
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Alberta report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 2 child with social studies?
Look at a map of your community and find places you visit. Ask an older relative or neighbour what the area was like when they were young. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 2 social studies in Alberta?
The Alberta Curriculum Grade 2 social studies units include canada's regions and resources, heritage across canada, traditions & celebrations, groups in our community, trade and transportation, leaders in canada.
Free printable Grade 2 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.