Grade 4 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 4 social studies in the BC Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- The pursuit of valuable natural resources has played a key role in changing the land, people, and communities of Canada.
- Interactions between First Peoples and Europeans lead to conflict and cooperation, which continues to shape Canada's identity.
- Demographic changes in North America created shifts in economic and political power.
- British Columbia followed a unique path in becoming a part of Canada.
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
First Peoples & the Land
How First Peoples used and cared for the land and its resources, traded and governed themselves before Europeans arrived, and are living communities today. Includes short readings.
Contact & the Fur Trade
Early European contact, the Hudson's Bay and North West Companies, voyageurs and trading posts, the Métis, and examples of cooperation and conflict. Includes timelines.
Colonization & Treaties
Age-appropriate, factual coverage of how colonization affected First Peoples (disease, loss of land, the Indian Act, residential schools), historic and modern treaties, and reconciliation today.
Gold Rushes
The 1858 Fraser River and Cariboo gold rushes, how they brought newcomers and created the Colony of British Columbia, and their effects on First Nations and the land.
Confederation & BC
Confederation in 1867, why BC joined Canada in 1871 and the railway promise, the Canadian Pacific Railway, and how the provinces joined over time, with some years-between subtraction.
Provinces & Regions
Canada's 10 provinces and 3 territories and their capitals, and its physical regions (like the Cordillera, Interior Plains and Canadian Shield) and their natural resources.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Emerging
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Developing
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Proficient
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Extending
- 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 BC report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 4 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 4 social studies in BC?
The BC Curriculum Grade 4 social studies units include first peoples & the land, contact & the fur trade, colonization & treaties, gold rushes, confederation & bc, provinces & regions.
Free printable Grade 4 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.