Social Studies: Front Matter at a Glance

Title Of Document

Alberta Program of Studies: Program Rationale

and Philosophy

Date of Revision

Purpose
Philosophy
Rationale

2005

Concepts of citizenship and identity.

Building a bilingual and multicultural democratic society.
Develop key values and attitudes.

Key Phrases and Social studies is the study of people in relation to each other
Verbs
and their world.

Interdisciplinary, spanning political science, law, geography,

ecology, economics, philosophy, history, and other social
science disciplines.

Active responsible citizens.

Social cohesion, social justice, social participation.
Informed decisions, active Inquiry.
Apply skills of metacognition, reflection, and communication.
Examine controversial issues from multiple perspectives.
Understand the principles underlying democracy.
Collective and individual rights.
Respect, dignity, equality, inclusion, understanding, diversity.
Pluralism, diversity, and cohesion. Promoting Partnerships.
Current affairs, Historical issues.
Culture, ethnicity, heritage, tradition,

Social Studies: Front Matter at a Glance

Title Of Document

Alberta Program of Studies: Program Rationale

and Philosophy

Critical and creative thinking. Historical and geographic

thinking.

Decision making, problem solving, conflict resolution.

Researching, detecting biases, classifying, analyzing,
speculating.

Oral, written, visual, and media literacy.

Social Studies: Front Matter at a Glance

The Social Studies curriculum Is divided into grade specific programs which can be found on the
Alberta Education website under Programs of Study. Each of the grades has an individual
program with General and Specific learning outcomes, as well as a list of benchmark skills and
processes that are intended for each grade to learn. In order to give an example of what is in
the program of studies, the General and a few of the specific learning outcomes for the grade
four curriculum are listed below.
General Outcome 4.1
Alberta: A Sense of the Land

General Outcome 4.2

The Stories, Histories and
Peoples of Alberta

General Outcome 4.3

Alberta: Celebrations and
Challenges

Students will demonstrate an

understanding and appreciation
of how elements of physical
geography, climate, geology and
paleontology are integral to the
landscapes and environment of
Alberta.

Students will demonstrate an

understanding and appreciation
of the role of stories, history and
culture in strengthening
communities and contributing to
identity and a sense of
belonging.

Students will demonstrate an

understanding and appreciation
of how Alberta has grown
and changed culturally,
economically and socially since
1905.

Local and Current Affairs.

In order to allow opportunities for students to engage in current affairs, issues and concerns of a local
nature, the program of studies provides the flexibility to include these topics within the time allotted for
social studies.

Sample Specific Learning Outcomes:

4.1.1 Value Albertas physical geography and natural environment:
appreciate the diversity of elements pertaining to geography, climate, geology and
palaeontology in Alberta.
appreciate how Albertas fossil heritage contributes to the provinces unique character.
appreciate the variety and abundance of natural resources in Alberta.
4.2.1 Appreciate how an understanding of Albertas history, peoples and stories contributes to
their own sense of belonging and identity:
recognize how stories of people and events provide multiple perspectives on past and
present events.
recognize oral traditions, narratives and stories as valid sources of knowledge about
the land, culture and history.
recognize the presence and influence of diverse Aboriginal peoples as inherent to
Albertas culture and identity.
4.3.3 Assess, critically, the challenges and opportunities that Alberta has faced in its growth and
development by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

Social Studies: Front Matter at a Glance

What led to Albertas joining Confederation?
What key events have impacted the economy of Alberta (i.e., drought of the 1930s,
discovery of oil)?
In what ways have occupations and commerce been affected by geography, climate
and natural resources in Alberta?