Planning
The following web pages help to develop the 'big' picture for planning social studies for the year.
Are you familiar with the first 10 pages of the Social Studies Program of Studies? Did you know it is the first time the program has common core concepts for teachers from K-12? Are you aware that the Scope and Sequence Chart on page 11 shows the linkages and sequencing of the program of studies? On this page you will find an overview of how the program spirals and how each grade provides a foundation for the next.
Where Should I Start?
1. Carefully read the Overview, Rationale and General Outcomes of your grade level, then move to specific outcomes.
2. Assemble components of provincially authorized resources. They are:
• Many Voices – Pearson
• Our World – Nelson
Using Many Voices or Our World:
• Create a long range plan for your grade. Don’t forget to refer to the General Outcomes, Specific Outcomes, Local and Current Affairs, and the Skills and Processes!
• Use the teacher’s guide for more specific planning ideas and strategies. You have access to black line masters and assessment templates in the appendices. Various planning templates can be found at the following sites:
» http://www.pearsoned.ca/school/manyvoices (Pearson) or
» www.nelson.com/ourworld (Thomson, Nelson).
While Planning:
• Preview student resources
• Keep in mind the learning differences in your classroom – strategies are provided throughout both teacher resources.
• Plan with the end in mind. Consider which assessment tools you will use.
• Gather other supplementary resources to enrich your program. Please refer to the Social Studies Communities of Practice for further ideas.
• If possible gather maps of your school, your local community, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and the World.
• Globes and atlases further support geographical thinking.
• Prepare a large social studies bulletin board that students will add to throughout the year.
• Read background information included at the beginning of each chapter to increase teacher knowledge.
Concepts
- economics
- individualism
- market economy
- industrialization
- quality of life
- centrally planned economy
- technological change
- economic change
- mixed economy
- resources
Generalizations
- Underlying economic growth is the conflict between unlimited economic needs and wants and limited natural and human resources.
- Each society has established economic systems in response to economic conditions.
- Economic growth within different economic systems (market, centrally, mixed) affects quality of life.
- Quality of life is influenced by an emphasis on individualism and private ownership in a market economy.
- The physical environment provides opportunity and at the same time imposes limitations.
- Industrialization impacts individuals and the nation.
- Economic changes occur as a result of internal and external influences.
Issues
- To what extent can individuals influence the economy?
- To what extent is quality of life influenced by economic growth?
- Should we limit industrial growth?
- To what extent should we encourage technological changes?
- To what extent should governments be involved in the economic system?
- Are people better off in a centrally planned system (free market, mixed)?
- To what extent should government influence technological change and economic growth?
Questions
- Why do nations choose a specific economic system?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of each economic system?
- How does technological change impact the economic system?
- What role does the government play in each type of economic system?
- How has the free market economy influenced economic growth in the USA?
- How did the centrally planned economy influence economic growth in the USSR?
- How has the mixed economy influenced economic growth in Canada?
- What role does the labour play in each type of economic system?
- What role did the individual play in the economic growth of each system?
- How do individuals deal with economic change?
- How has the quality of life been influenced by each of the economic systems?
Development and Interaction of Nations: 19th Century
Concepts
- tradition
- nationalism
- imperialism
- egalitarianism
- change
- industrialization
- revolution
- conservation
- colonialism
- liberalism
- capitalism
- urbanization
- international rivalries
- socialism
- spheres of influence
- militarism
- communism
- balance of power
Generalizations
- Major ideas and forces that have emerged from the 19th century European experience have influenced the modern world.
- The emergence of new ideas and forces resulted in changes within society.
- A new form of nationalism emerged during the French Revolution.
- The French Revolution led to the spread of revolutionary ideas throughout Europe.
- The revolutionary changes often result in a conservative reaction.
- Nationalism continued as a force of change in European society.
- Industrialization resulted in changes in society.
- Many modern political and economic ideologies developed in 19 th century Europe.
- Nations engage in imperialism for a variety of motives.
- Nations expanded their empires, which led to cooperation and competition.
- International conflict occurs for a variety of reasons.
- Warfare leads to change.
Issues
- To what extent should governments encourage nationalistic feelings among their people?
- To what extent should nations place their interests above the interests of other nations?
- Should governments control the spread of ideologies within their borders?
- Should further industrialization be encouraged?
- Should society provide for greater social equality?
Questions
- Why did revolution occur in France?
- How did the various segments of a particular society adjust to change?
- How did nationalism develop in Europe?
- What were some of the positive and negative consequences of the development of nationalism (imperialism)(militarism)?
- How did industrialization contribute to the rise of nationalism and imperialism?
- How did the Industrial Revolution contribute to the rise of new ideologies?
- How did quality of life change as a result of industrialization?
- Why did World War I occur?
Interdependence in the Global Environment
Concepts
- diversity
- economic development
- ecological balance
- disparity
- quality of life
- humanitarianism
- interdependence
- standard of living
- sustainable development
- national self-interest
- equity
- environmentalism
- resource depletion
Generalizations
- Economic growth and development have led to increased global interdependence.
- Diversity and disparity exist in the modern world.
- Nations are interdependent.
- National self-interest affects international relationships.
- Economic growth and interactions have increased global interdependence.
- Countries approach economic expansion in different ways.
- Quality of life is defined from different perspectives.
- Solutions to global issues often require international dialogue.
Issues
- To what extent should the resources of the world be shared?
- Should individuals be concerned about quality of life in other parts of the world?
- Should developed countries set the standard for quality of life?
- To what extent should environmental concerns restrict economic development?
- Should economic growth and development be a primary goal for all nations?
- To what extent should the world be optimistic about its future?
- Should we, as individuals, share the responsibility for meeting the social and economic needs of other people in other parts of the world?
Questions
- What is the relationship between global interdependence and economic development?
- What constitutes quality of life?
- What are the consequences of economic development on the environment?
- How will proposed solutions on a particular issue affect quality of life in the future?
- How does the use of resources affect the quality of life?
Political and Economic Systems
Concepts
- ideology
- decision-making
- capitalism
- human rights
- individualism
- democracy
- centrally planned
- security
- collectivism
- dictatorship
- mixed economy
- power
- scarcity
- totalitarianism
Generalizations
- Ideologies contain beliefs and ideas about human nature and are used to explain and justify political and economic systems.
- All societies have a form of political organization for decision-making.
- Political systems may be organized in a democratic manner or in a dictatorial manner.
- Economic decisions must be made to meet the needs and wants of individuals because resources are limited.
- Economic systems are organized to deal with the production and distribution of goods and services.
- Economic systems are organized in different ways to deal with basic economic questions that arise from the problem of scarcity.
- In practice political and economic systems differ from theory.
- The individual is affected by the emphasis placed in society on the collective good or individualism.
- New issues and ideas challenge traditional political and economic beliefs and practices.
Issues
- To what extent should political decision-making be restricted to a particular group in society?
- To what extent should governments control the lives of individuals?
- To what extent should political and economic systems emphasize the collective good?
- Should a government intervene in an economic system to protect the interests of society?
- To what extent should minority rights be protected in society? Should there be limits on the rights of the majority?
Questions
- How are the rights and responsibilities of the individual provided for in various political and economic systems?
- What features of the Canadian political and economic system allow individuals to participate in decision-making?
- What similarities and differences exist between ideological theory and practice in various political and economic systems?
- How do political and economic systems adapt to meet the challenges of changing circumstances?
- In what ways does the Canadian government intervene in the Canadian economic system?
Global Interactions
Concepts
- confrontation
- national self-interest
- global collective security
- motives
- national security
- internationalism
- cooperation
- self-determination
- appeasement
- balance of power
- spheres of influence
- total war/limited war
- containment
- cold war
- decolonization
- alignment/non-alignment
- brinkmanship
- peaceful co-existence
- arms race
- deterrence
- détente
- superpowers
- supranationalism
- regionalism
Generalizations
- International confrontations and international cooperation arise from a variety of motives and result in different types of interactions.
- Nations have used a variety of means to protect, sustain and enhance their national interests.
- Interaction among nations has increased global interdependence.
- World peace and security is continually challenged by the ways nations interact.
- Economic conditions may result in changes that challenge international security.
- Attempts at international cooperation are sometimes successful.
- Expansionist foreign policy may arise from a variety of motives or circumstances and elicit a variety of responses.
- Arms build up can alleviate as well as contribute to international tension.
- Concern for global peace, human rights and the environment has emphasized the need for international cooperation and understanding.
Issues
- Should individuals, groups and nations pursue international stability at the expense of national interests?
- Should nations ever go to war?
- To what extent should national needs and wants override global welfare?
- Should international organizations be used to achieve global collective security?
- Should nations form alignments to protect their own interests, or to further international understandings?
- Should nations pursue national interests beyond their boundaries?
Questions
- How do nations seek to protect and enhance their own national interests?
- What motivates nations to take on particular roles in international affairs?
- What are the major causes of twentieth century confrontations?
- What agencies exist to encourage cooperation among states?
- What role can an individual or group play in international affairs?
- How has the power and influence of nations shifted in the course of the 20
- th century?
- Does the nation-state still have a role in the global economy?
- In what ways can individuals contribute to resolving world problems?
For information on new program philosophy and foundations, as well as grade specific resource ideas check out the new Learn Alberta site
