Social Studies 9 Course Outline

Social Studies 9

Course Content

Assigned Work Page

Days based on 65 minute periods, 84 day semester

Text: Canadian Identity

You will each be assigned a numbered text that you are responsible for. If it is not returned or is damaged then YOU are responsible for the repairs or the replacement cost. They are fairly costly so please take care of your textbook!!

Description:

This course is designed to enable and encourage students to examine issues, respond critically and creatively, and make informed decisions as individuals and citizens of Canada and of an increasingly interdependent world. This course will provide a multidisciplinary approach through which students examine issues affecting their lives from personal, provincial, national, academic, pluralistic and global perspectives.

Outline

Unit One:

Exploring Canadian Identity:

Students will study the general concept of Canadian identity and trace its routes through a timeline of truly, Canadian defining moments through our development and history. Students will be expected to investigate how artistic and literary expression reflects the following aspects of Canadian Identity: landscape, climate, history, people-citizenship, and related challenges and opportunities (9.1.1). We will be covering this material mainly on Fridays. The time allotted should be 5 % of the term.

Unit Two:

Geographic Influences:

Students will examine the influence of physical environment and human activity on Canadian Identity. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic features of Canada's landscape and climate, analyze the effects of selected geographic factors on Canadian Identity, demonstrate an understanding of the nature of migration and its impact on post-1920 Canada, as well as analyze the effect of geographic features on the development of Canada and of a selected country with similar geographic features (9.2.1-4). The time allotted should be 20 % of the term.

Unit Three:

Decades of Change:

Students will study issues and events from the 1920's to today that have shaped and continue to shape Canadian Identity. Students will be expected to analyze the impact of changing technology and socio-economic conditions on differing prosperities and lifestyles in Canada in the 1920-30s, demonstrate an understanding of Canada's participation in WWI and WWII, analyze the effects of these wars on Canada's people, evaluate, Canada's role in the world since WWII, analyze the impact of changing technology and socio-economic conditions on Canada's prosperity and lifestyles in the 1950's and 1960's, compare the social and cultural trends in Canada in the 1950s-70s, and analyze how globalization has effected Canada and Canadians since 1980 (9.3.1-7). The time allotted should be 30% of the term.

Unit Four:

Citizenship:

Students will examine issues of governance and citizenship that relate to the rights and responsibilities of Canadians and the evolution of Canadian Identity. Students shall take age appropriate actions that demonstrate the rights and responsibilities of citizenship (local, national, and global), demonstrate an understanding of how citizenship has evolved over time, and demonstrate an understanding of the structure and government in Canada under a federal system (9.4.1-3). The time allotted should be 30% of the term.

Unit Five:

Students will explore challenges and opportunities that continue to shape Canadian Identity. Students will identify and analyze the economic challenges and opportunities that may affect Canada's future, analyze the political challenges and opportunities that may affect Canada's Future, and analyze the social and cultural challenges and opportunities that may affect Canada's Future (9.5.1-3). The time allotted should be 10% of the term.

Unit Six:

Reflections on Canadian identity:

Students will focus on reflective expressions of Canadian Identity. Students will be expected to portray their personal understanding of Canadian Identity (9.6.1). This may be expressed through music, art, poetry, and essay writing etc., and students will be expected to share their work by display around the classroom and or school. The time allotted should be 5% of the term.

Requirements of the course:

  • Come to class prepared
  • Bring your text, 3-ring binder for this course only (with dividers), pen and pencil every day
  • Complete daily homework assignments, attend class regularly, and be present for all assessments.

Evaluation:

1st part of Term = 40% of the course (made up solely of classroom work and assignments/assessments)

2nd part of Term = 60% of the course (60% classroom work and assignments/assessments and 40% final exam)

Note: This course will be flexible enough to allow for current and situational issues that present themselves as the course proceeds, and make every attempt to provide knowledge of our own local social, historical, political, and geographical development within the context of Canadian Identity. This course is not, at all times, bound entirely to the textbook.


Please note:

If you miss school, you must get the notes and assignments you have missed. It is your responsibility to catch up on missed work. Ask another classmate or me.

If you miss a TEST day, you must have an acceptable excuse or a mark of zero may be given.

Homework checks (worth marks) take place several times each week. Homework is NOT an option in this course.

Behavior Journal - all aspects of student's behavior and performance is and will be documented.


Reference Numbers: All numbers within parentheses in the outline are the numerical correlates of curriculum objectives taken from the Social Studies 9 Canadian Identity Curriculum document, June 2006.

STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS

Standards:

  1. Be on time.
  2. Tardiness - make up time, 20 minutes for the first time, time doubles after that.
  3. Only water is allowed and only at the desks, not near computer equipment.
  4. Cell phones are permitted for class purposes. No texting, game play, or other misuse allowed.
  5. Discipline will be similar to "real world" work place.
  6. Abuse/Misuse of school property will not be tolerated.
  7. Remain seated.
  8. Raise your hand if you need help and be patient.
  9. Be quiet and remain quiet.
  10. Maintain your Workstation, keep it neat, push in chairs, put things away, etc. (Marks on each report)
  11. Be respectful.


Expectations:

  1. Students are expected to stay on task and complete all mandatory exercises, in an efficient manner.
  2. Students are expected to come to class prepared with all materials for that class.
  3. Students will not be allowed to be excused during class time unless an emergency arises and then students must ask permission. No one is allowed to leave without permission unless they like to make up time. (10 minutes)
  4. Students who require help during class time must raise their hands. All other times they are to remain seated and stay quiet.