Grade 5 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 5 social studies in the Saskatchewan Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Interactions and Interdependence (IN5.1–IN5.2): Demonstrate an understanding of the Aboriginal heritage of Canada. Analyze the evolution of Canada as a multicultural nation.
- Dynamic Relationships (DR5.1–DR5.3): Analyze the historic and contemporary relationship of people to land in Canada. Assess the impact of the environment on the lives of people living in Canada. Identify the European influence on pre-confederation Canadian society.
- Power and Authority (PA5.1–PA5.3): Describe Canada's political evolution. Explain the purposes and functions of governance structures in Canada, including First Nations systems and those… Develop an understanding of the nature of the treaty relationship between First Nations and Canada's federal…
- Resources and Wealth (RW5.1–RW5.2): Explain the importance of sustainable management of the environment to Canada's future. Hypothesize about economic changes that Canada may experience in the future.
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
Immigration & Multiculturalism
Push and pull factors, refugees and citizenship, Canada's multiculturalism policy, and a reading about a family's new start in Canada.
Explorers and Settlers
Norse voyages, Cabot, Cartier, Champlain and Hudson, and why Europeans came: routes to Asia, fishing, the fur trade, claiming land and spreading religion, from the point of view that Indigenous peoples already lived here.
The Fur Trade
Who traded what and why, what each side gained, the harm of disease and lost land, and how the Métis people emerged. Needs review with Indigenous partners.
Levels of Government
Federal, provincial/territorial, municipal and Indigenous governments: who leads them, what each looks after, and how they're funded.
Making Laws
How a bill becomes law in Parliament, elections and ridings, local bylaws, and how young people can take part in democracy.
Regions & Resources
The natural resources and industries of Canada's regions, how they shape regional identity, and First Peoples' land rights and title.
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! Meeting is the goal for every outcome. Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exemplary
- 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 Saskatchewan report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 5 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 5 social studies in Saskatchewan?
The Saskatchewan Curriculum Grade 5 social studies units include immigration & multiculturalism, explorers and settlers, the fur trade, levels of government, making laws, regions & resources.
Free printable Grade 5 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.