Grade 7 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 7 social studies in the Nova Scotia Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Reflect on the impact of government policies and the denial of treaty rights on Mi’kmaw communities and individuals in Mi’kma’ki. Learners will reflect on the impact of government policies and the denial of treaty rights on Mi’kmaw communities and individuals in Mi’kma’ki.
- Reflect on historical opportunities and challenges in the Maritimes. Learners will reflect on historical opportunities and challenges in the Maritimes, inclusive of the Mi’kmaq, Acadians, African Nova Scotians, and Gaels.
- Evaluate the impacts of political changes in the Maritimes up to the early 20th century. Learners will evaluate the impacts of political changes in the Maritimes up to the early 20th century.
- Create a response to changing societal conditions in the Maritimes. Learners will create a response to changing societal conditions in the Maritimes.
- Evaluate the impacts of World War I on the Maritimes. Learners will evaluate the impacts of World War I on the Maritimes.
- Create responses to opportunities and challenges in present-day Maritime communities. Learners will create responses to opportunities and challenges in present-day Maritime communities.
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
Mi’kma’ki & Treaty Rights
Practises Grade 7 social studies about Mi’kma’ki, the Peace and Friendship Treaties and the impact of government policies on Mi’kmaw communities. Content is factual and needs review with Mi’kmaw partners.
Opportunities & Challenges, Long Ago
Practises Grade 7 social studies about settlement in the Maritimes: Acadians, Planters, Black Loyalists, Scottish Highlanders and others, and who gained or lost. Ties to the Nova Scotia Grade 7 history of the Maritimes.
Political Change in the Maritimes
Practises Grade 7 social studies on representative and responsible government, Confederation and voting rights, as taught in the Nova Scotia curriculum.
Changing Times in the Maritimes
Practises Grade 7 social studies on industrialization, work, Africville and how communities respond to change. Ties to the Nova Scotia curriculum.
World War I & the Maritimes
Practises Grade 7 social studies on the impact of World War I on the Maritimes, including the Halifax Explosion and the No. 2 Construction Battalion. Ties to the Nova Scotia curriculum.
Maritime Communities Today
Practises Grade 7 social studies on present-day opportunities and challenges, such as the ocean economy, newcomers, language revitalization and climate change. Ties to the Nova Scotia curriculum.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Minimal
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Satisfactory
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Good
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Very good to excellent
- 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 Nova Scotia report card guide.
Common questions
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.
The Nova Scotia Curriculum Grade 7 social studies units include mi’kma’ki & treaty rights, opportunities & challenges, long ago, political change in the maritimes, changing times in the maritimes, world war i & the maritimes, maritime communities today.
Free printable Grade 7 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.