SOCIAL STUDIES KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 12 - Alberta

1 SOCIAL STUDIES . KINDERGARTEN TO. GRADE 12. PROGRAM RATIONALE AND PHILOSOPHY. SOCIAL STUDIES provides opportunities for students Canada's historical and constitutional foundations, to develop the attitudes, skills and knowledge that which reflect the country's Aboriginal heritage, will enable them to become engaged, active, bilingual nature and multicultural realities. A. informed and responsible citizens. Recognition pluralistic view recognizes that citizenship and and respect for individual and collective identity is identity are shaped by multiple factors such as essential in a pluralistic and democratic society. culture, language, environment, gender, ideology, SOCIAL STUDIES helps students develop their sense religion, spirituality and philosophy. of self and community, encouraging them to affirm their place as citizens in an inclusive, DEFINITION OF SOCIAL STUDIES .

2 Democratic society. SOCIAL STUDIES is the study of people in relation to each other and to their world. It is an issues- PROGRAM VISION focused and inquiry-based interdisciplinary The Alberta SOCIAL STUDIES KINDERGARTEN to subject that draws upon history, geography, GRADE 12 Program of STUDIES meets the needs and ecology, economics, law, philosophy, political reflects the nature of 21st century learners. It has science and other SOCIAL science disciplines. at its heart the concepts of citizenship and identity SOCIAL STUDIES fosters students' understanding of in the Canadian context. The program reflects and involvement in practical and ethical issues multiple perspectives, including Aboriginal and that face their communities and humankind. Francophone, that contribute to Canada's evolving SOCIAL STUDIES is integral to the process of enabling realities.

3 It fosters the building of a society that is students to develop an understanding of who they pluralistic, bilingual, multicultural, inclusive and are, what they want to become and the society in democratic. The program emphasizes the which they want to live. importance of diversity and respect for differences as well as the need for SOCIAL cohesion and the THE ROLE OF SOCIAL STUDIES . effective functioning of society. It promotes a sense of belonging and acceptance in students as they SOCIAL STUDIES develops the key values and engage in active and responsible citizenship at the attitudes, knowledge and understanding, and skills local, community, provincial, national and global and processes necessary for students to become level. active and responsible citizens, engaged in the democratic process and aware of their capacity to Central to the vision of the Alberta SOCIAL STUDIES effect change in their communities, society and program is the recognition of the diversity of world.

4 Experiences and perspectives and the pluralistic nature of Canadian society. Pluralism builds upon Program Rationale and Philosophy SOCIAL STUDIES (K 12) /1. Alberta Education, Alberta , Canada (2005). VALUES AND ATTITUDES understand the historical and contemporary realities of Francophones in Canada SOCIAL STUDIES provides learning opportunities for understand the multiethnic and intercultural students to: makeup of Francophones in Canada understand the challenges and opportunities value the diversity, respect the dignity and that immigration presents to newcomers and support the equality of all human beings to Canada demonstrate SOCIAL compassion, fairness and understand how SOCIAL cohesion can be justice achieved in a pluralistic society appreciate and respect how multiple perspectives, including Aboriginal and understand how political and economic Francophone, shape Canada's political, socio- distribution of power affects individuals, economic, linguistic and cultural realities communities and nations honour and value the traditions, concepts and understand the role of SOCIAL , political.

5 Symbols that are the expression of Canadian economic and legal institutions as they relate identity to individual and collective well-being and a thrive in their evolving identity with a sustainable society legitimate sense of belonging to their understand how opportunities and communities, Canada and the world responsibilities change in an increasingly demonstrate a global consciousness with interdependent world respect to humanity and world issues understand that humans exist in a dynamic demonstrate a consciousness for the limits of relationship with the natural environment. the natural environment, stewardship for the land and an understanding of the principles of sustainability SKILLS AND PROCESSES. value lifelong learning and opportunities for careers in the areas of SOCIAL STUDIES and the SOCIAL STUDIES provides learning opportunities for SOCIAL sciences.

6 Students to: engage in active inquiry and critical and KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING creative thinking engage in problem solving and conflict SOCIAL STUDIES provides learning opportunities for resolution with an awareness of the ethical students to: consequences of decision making apply historical and geographic skills to bring understand their rights and responsibilities in meaning to issues and events order to make informed decisions and use and manage information and participate fully in society communication technologies critically understand the unique nature of Canada and conduct research ethically using varied its land, history, complexities and current methods and sources; organize, interpret and issues present their findings; and defend their understand how knowledge of the history of opinions Alberta , of Canada and of the world, apply skills of metacognition, reflecting upon contributes to a better comprehension of what they have learned and what they need to contemporary realities learn understand historic and contemporary issues, including controversial issues, from multiple recognize and responsibly address injustices perspectives as they occur in their schools, communities, understand the diversity of Aboriginal Canada and the world traditions, values and attitudes communicate ideas and information in an understand contemporary challenges and informed, organized and persuasive manner.

7 Contributions of Aboriginal peoples in urban, rural, cultural and linguistic settings 2 SOCIAL STUDIES (K 12) Program Rationale and Philosophy (2005) Alberta Education, Alberta , Canada PROGRAM FOUNDATIONS The goal of SOCIAL STUDIES is to provide learning opportunities for students to: The program of STUDIES provides a foundation of understand the principles underlying a learning experiences that address critical aspects democratic society of SOCIAL STUDIES and its application. These critical demonstrate a critical understanding of areas provide general direction for the program of individual and collective rights STUDIES and identify major components of its understand the commitment required to structure. ensure the vitality and sustainability of their changing communities at the local, provincial, CORE CONCEPTS OF CITIZENSHIP national and global levels AND IDENTITY validate and accept differences that contribute to the pluralistic nature of The dynamic relationship between citizenship Canada and identity forms the basis for skills and learning respect the dignity and support the equality outcomes in the program of STUDIES .

8 Of all human beings. Program Rationale and Philosophy SOCIAL STUDIES (K 12) /3. Alberta Education, Alberta , Canada (2005). The sense of being a citizen, enjoying individual honouring and valuing the traditions, concepts and collective rights and equitable status in and symbols that are the expression of their contemporary society, impacts an individual's identity sense of identity. Individuals need to feel that providing opportunities for students to express their identities are viewed as legitimate before who they are with confidence as they interact they can contribute to the public good and feel a and engage with others sense of belonging and empowerment as citizens. contributing to the development of active and responsible members of groups and SOCIAL STUDIES provides learning opportunities for communities. students to: SOCIAL STUDIES AND. understand the complexity of identity FRANCOPHONE PERSPECTIVES AND.

9 Formation in the Canadian context EXPERIENCES. understand how identity and self-esteem are shaped by multiple personal, SOCIAL , linguistic For historical and constitutional reasons, an and cultural factors understanding of Canada requires an demonstrate sensitivity to the personal and understanding: emotional aspects of identity of Francophone perspectives demonstrate skills required to maintain of Francophone experiences individuality within a group that Francophone students have particular understand that with empowerment comes needs and requirements. personal and collective responsibility for the public good. SOCIAL STUDIES occupies a central position in successful Francophone education in Alberta . SOCIAL STUDIES AND ABORIGINAL Francophone schools are a focal point of the PERSPECTIVES AND EXPERIENCES Francophone community. They meet the needs and aspirations of parents by ensuring the vitality For historical and constitutional reasons, an of the community.

10 For students enrolled in understanding of Canada requires an Francophone schools, the SOCIAL STUDIES program understanding: will: of Aboriginal perspectives strengthen Francophone self-esteem and of Aboriginal experiences identity that Aboriginal students have particular needs encourage students to actively contribute to and requirements. the flourishing of Francophone culture, Central to Aboriginal identity are languages and families and communities cultures that link each group with its physical world, promote partnerships among the home, worldviews and traditions. The role of Elders and community and business world community leaders is essential in this linkage. engage students in participating in the bilingual and multicultural nature of Canada. The SOCIAL STUDIES program of STUDIES provides learning opportunities that contribute to the PLURALISM: DIVERSITY AND.