Kindergarten Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Kindergarten social studies in the Nunavut Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Nunavusiutit: heritage and culture, history, geography, environmental science, and civics and economics, with a focus on Nunavut and its links to Canada and the circumpolar world.
- Inuuqatigiit, the curriculum from the Inuit perspective, shapes how the strand is taught.
- Skills of inquiry, working with others and respecting different points of view.
Easy ways to practise social studies at home
- Talk about your family, your neighbourhood and the people who help in it.
- Make a simple map of your home or street together.
- Share a family tradition or story and ask your child to share one back.
- Practise taking turns and sharing, and talk about why fairness matters.
What each unit covers
All About Me
Naming feelings, noticing how we are the same and different, and choosing kind actions so everyone feels respected.
Families
Seeing that families come in many shapes and sizes, growing up from baby to grandparent, family stories and traditions, and helping at home.
We Belong
Seeing that everyone belongs to several groups (family, class, team, community), how each person helps, and respecting ideas that differ from our own.
Fair & Kind
Noticing fair and unfair choices, using kind words, standing up for ourselves and others, and getting a grown-up to help.
Needs & Wants
Sorting needs (food, water, a home, warm clothes) from wants (toys and treats), and how families meet their needs.
Places Near Me
Naming places in the community (library, park, school, hospital), what they are used for, and whether they are natural or built.
My Jobs, Rules & Leaders
Practises responsibilities at home and in school, respecting the rules of the classroom and playground, respecting property, sharing, helping, and who makes decisions that affect our lives.
Canada & Celebrations
Practises that we live in Canada, Remembrance Day as a time to think about peace and war, repeating events such as Canada Day and Earth Day, and the many different ways families celebrate. Encourage curiosity and respect about other families' celebrations.
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Practises yesterday, today and tomorrow, words that describe parts of a day or order of events (first, then, last), telling events in order, and learning from stories of the past told by family and Elders.
Ways to Communicate
Practises the many ways people communicate (art, song, dance, facial expression, body language, sign language), active listening, respectful language, giving reasons, and sharing information with pictures or objects. Indigenous cultures have many different ways to communicate, and this unit only names the idea.
Working & Playing Together
Practises cooperating, taking turns, including others, considering others' needs, valuing each person's talents and interests, and noticing the results of our choices.
Find Out & Sort
Practises finding information in spoken, picture, object and print sources, sorting things by one rule, using tools such as a ruler or magnifying glass, and comparing things by how they 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 Nunavut report card guide.
Common questions
Talk about your family, your neighbourhood and the people who help in it. Make a simple map of your home or street together. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Nunavut Curriculum Kindergarten social studies units include all about me, families, we belong, fair & kind, needs & wants, places near me.
Free printable Kindergarten social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.