Grade 9 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 9 social studies in the Alberta Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Canada: Opportunities and Challenges: Grade 9 looks at issues that Canadians face today, in two parts
- 9.1 Issues for Canadians: Governance and Rights: how Canada is governed and how the rights of individuals and groups, including Indigenous peoples, are protected
- 9.2 Issues for Canadians: Economic Systems in Canada and the United States: how the two countries organize their economies and trade with each other
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
Governing Canada
The three levels of government, who is responsible for what, how laws are made, how elections work and how the Constitution is changed, with examples from Alberta.
Rights & Responsibilities
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the limits on rights, the Alberta Human Rights Act, the role of the courts, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Treaties & Indigenous Rights
The treaty areas of Alberta, the Métis Settlements, the Constitution's recognition of First Nations, Inuit and Métis rights, residential schools and the Calls to Action. These topics need care; talk about them together. Review with First Nations and Métis partners is planned before launch.
Economic Systems
The four kinds of economic system, how scarcity forces choices, the factors of production, profit, and how Canada and the United States blend private business with government roles.
Supply & Demand
Why prices rise or fall, what a shortage and a surplus are, how costs and substitutes affect prices, and where government price controls come in.
Canada, the US & Trade
Imports and exports, tariffs, trade agreements such as CUSMA, how Alberta's industries depend on trade with the United States, and how the two economies are alike and different.
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 9 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 9 social studies in Alberta?
The Alberta Curriculum Grade 9 social studies units include governing canada, rights & responsibilities, treaties & indigenous rights, economic systems, supply & demand, canada, the us & trade.
Free printable Grade 9 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.