Grade 6 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 6 social studies in the Alberta Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Democracy: history, principles and operation. A democracy is government by the people, with rights, rules and responsibilities.
- Principles of democracy: equality, majority rule with minority rights, the rule of law, and direct and representative democracy.
- Ancient Athens and the Roman Republic: two early ways of sharing power, and who was left out.
- Haudenosaunee Confederacy: an Indigenous system of decision making by consensus, with clan mothers and a Grand Council.
- Canada today: federal, provincial and municipal governments, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Taking part: formal and informal ways citizens take part, and how to respond to discrimination and racism.
Easy ways to practise social studies at home
- Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently.
- Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying.
- Use an atlas or online map to trace a trade or travel route.
- Ask “Whose voice is missing from this story?” when reading about the past.
What each unit covers
Principles of Democracy
The word democracy, who holds power, majority rule with protection for minorities, the rule of law, accountability, consensus and direct versus representative democracy.
Athens: Direct Democracy
Athens around 500 BCE: Cleisthenes, the Assembly, officials chosen by lot, jury courts and ostracism, and why this democracy was limited to adult male citizens. Compared with Canada's democracy.
The Roman Republic
The Roman Republic from 509 BCE (traditional date): two consuls, the Senate, patricians and plebeians, tribunes, the Twelve Tables, checks and balances, and the end of the Republic under Augustus.
Haudenosaunee Confederacy
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora), its Great Law of Peace, clan mothers and consensus decisions, in the present tense as living nations. Needs review with Haudenosaunee partners before launch.
Governments in Canada
The three orders of government, MPs and MLAs, the prime minister and premier, the Governor General and Lieutenant Governor, how a bill becomes law, and which government looks after what.
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Charter (1982): fundamental freedoms, democratic, mobility, legal, equality and language rights, reasonable limits, Indigenous rights, and the link between rights and responsibilities.
Taking Part
Formal ways to take part (voting, running for office, jury duty) and informal ways (volunteering, petitions, peaceful protest), what young people can do now, and civic responsibilities.
Fairness and Respect
Defines prejudice, stereotypes, discrimination and racism, looks at examples such as the Chinese head tax and the internment of Japanese Canadians with apologies, and shows how human rights law, the Charter and upstander actions help. Factual and age-appropriate, with no graphic detail.
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 6 child with social studies?
Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently. Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 6 social studies in Alberta?
The Alberta Curriculum Grade 6 social studies units include principles of democracy, athens: direct democracy, the roman republic, haudenosaunee confederacy, governments in canada, the charter of rights and freedoms.
Free printable Grade 6 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.