Grade 9 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 9 social studies in the Ontario Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- A1 Geographic Inquiry: Use the geographic inquiry process and the concepts of geographic thinking when investigating issues relating to Canadian geography
- A2 Developing Transferable Skills: Apply in everyday contexts skills, including geospatial technology skills, developed through the investigation of Canadian geography, and identify some careers, including those in the skilled trades, in which a background in geography might be an asset
- B1 Characteristics of Canada’s Natural Environment and the Impact of Physical Processes: Describe various characteristics of the natural environment and the spatial distribution of physical features in Canada, and analyze the role of physical processes, phenomena, and events in shaping them
- B2 Interactions between the Natural Environment and Human Activities: Analyze interrelationships between physical processes, phenomena, and events and the ways in which various communities in Canada respond to and interact with them
- C1 Natural Resources and Industries in Canada: Analyze characteristics of natural resources and industries in Canada, and factors that affect the accessibility and use of natural resources and the location of industries
- C2 Sustainability and Economic Development: Analyze issues related to the sustainable development of resources and industries in Canada
- D1 Demographic Patterns and Trends: Analyze key patterns and trends in demographics and population movement and settlement, and factors that affect these patterns and trends, nationally and for various populations in Canada
- D2 Population Issues: Analyze selected national and global population issues and their implications for Canada and for various people who live in Canada
- E1 Land Use in Communities: Analyze characteristics and impacts of land use in various communities in Canada, including urban communities, and factors affecting land use and land-use planning
- E2 Sustainability of Human Systems and Communities: Analyze issues relating to, and strategies for improving, the sustainability of human systems and communities in Canada
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
Geographer's Toolkit
Asking factual and debatable questions, primary and secondary sources, judging whether a source or an AI-made image can be trusted, the four geographic thinking concepts, map scale, latitude, time zones, GIS and GPS, and careers that use geography.
Canada's Landform Regions
The Canadian Shield, Interior Plains, Western Cordillera, Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Lowlands, Appalachian Region, Hudson Bay Lowlands and Arctic Lands, how glaciers and plate movement shaped them, and how landscapes appear in Canadian symbols.
Weather, Climate & Landscape
Weathering, erosion and deposition, glaciation, plate tectonics, what shapes climate (ocean, mountains, latitude, elevation), patterns of hazards such as tornadoes and floods, and global systems such as the jet stream and El Niño.
People & the Natural World
How landscapes support work and communities, how paving, draining wetlands and building dams change natural systems, hazards such as floods, wildfires and earthquakes, and local ways to adapt to and reduce climate change.
Canada's Resources
Types of natural resources, where key resources such as potash, oil, minerals, forests, fish and hydroelectric power are found and why, and ways of extracting them, including clean-energy methods such as wind, solar and nuclear.
Industries & Jobs
Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary industries, why companies choose certain locations, how Canadian industries connect to other countries, and careers in the marine, resource and tourism sectors.
Using Resources Wisely
What sustainable development means, quotas and reclamation, the circular economy, how governments, industries, advocacy groups and individuals influence resource use, and the life cycle of everyday products such as a phone.
Canada's People
Population density, birth rate, natural increase and net migration, population pyramids, why Canadians settle where they do, quality of life indicators, and comparing Canada's settlement patterns with other places.
A Changing Population
How an aging population, small-town decline and city growth affect people, government strategies on immigration and families, the 'rule of 70', and how people in Canada respond to global population issues.
How Land Is Used
Residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and open-space land uses, official plans and zoning, why floodplains need care, the Greenbelt, urban sprawl compared with compact growth, and ways to control sprawl.
Liveable Communities
Food miles, food waste and food costs in remote communities, sustainable transportation such as transit, rail and cycling, how government policies and personal choices affect energy use, and community programs that support sustainability.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Level 1
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Level 2
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Level 3
- Has it! Level 3 is the provincial standard. Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Level 4
- 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 Ontario 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 Ontario?
The Ontario Curriculum Grade 9 social studies units include geographer's toolkit, canada's landform regions, weather, climate & landscape, people & the natural world, canada's resources, industries & jobs.
Free printable Grade 9 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.