Grade 6 Social Studies

Unit 1: Introduction to Course & Democracy

September 3 September 24
Overview:
This unit is designed to be ~15 classes long. The unit will begin with
students linking previous knowledge of geography and map to identify
and label a map of Canada. This map will be used to help students
gain an understanding of Federal, Provincial, and local governments.
Students will gain an understanding of what democracy is and the four
pillars of democracy: freedoms, representation, equity and justice
(FREJ). Students will explore government and understand how
governments make decisions and how citizens can influence their
communities or governments. In this unit students will learn different
ways that decisions can be made, by direct or representational voting,
and consensus. This unit will incorporate current events that fit the
theme at the time.
Rationale:
This unit sets the foundation for learning about democracy. It
introduces features of decision-making that will develop in later units.
This unit will guide students toward considering how decisions are
formed in various contexts and what influences decisions and how they
themselves can influence decisions. Through exploring democracy
students will gain an understanding of how they are affected by
government. This unit will be influential to looking at the two rots of
democratic governments: ancient Athens and the Iroquois Confederacy.

Unit Plan Organizer:

Critical Inquiry Question:
To what extent does democracy allow government and citizens (Grade
6 students) to make decisions?
Focusing Questions:
What is democracy?
What are the differences between direct and representative
democracy?
What are the four principles (pillars) of democracy?
How do different decision making models influence how decisions
are made?
What guides our decision-making?

How does government affect you?

Who are the people of the government? (Federal, Provincial,
Municipal)
What do governments do for us? What are governments
responsible for?

General Learning Outcomes:

6.1: Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of
the dynamic relationship between governments and citizens as they
engage in the democratic process.
Specific Learning Outcomes:
Values & Attitudes: Students will
6.1.1: recognize how individuals and governments interact and bring
about change within their local and national communities.
6.1.1.1: recognize and respect the democratic rights of all
citizens in Canada
6.1.1.4: value citizens participation in a democratic society.
6.1.1.5: value the contributions of elected representatives in the
democratic process.
Knowledge & Understanding: Students will
6.1.2: demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of
democracy by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions
and issues:
6.1.2.1: What is democracy (i.e., justice, equity, freedoms,
representation)?
6.1.2.2: What are the similarities and differences between direct
and representative democracy?
6.1.2.3: What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens living
in a representative democracy?
6.1.6: analyze how individuals, groups and associations within a
community impact decision making of local and provincial
governments by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions
and issues:
6.1.6.1: How can individuals, groups and associations within a
community impact decision making of local and provincial
governments by exploring and reflecting upon the following
questions and issues (lobbying, petitioning, organizing and
attending local meetings and rallies, contacting elected
representatives)?

Skills & Processes: Students will

6.S.1: develop skills of critical thinking and creative thinking
6.S.3: develop skills of geographic thinking
6.S.4: demonstrate skills of decision-making and problem solving
6.S.5: demonstrate skills of cooperation, conflict resolution and
consensus building.
6.S.6: develop age-appropriate behaviour for social involvement as
responsible citizens contributing to their community.
6.S.8: demonstrate skills of oral, written and visual literacy
6.S.9: develop skills of media literacy
PROVISIONS FOR SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS:
Each student will complete this unit. Modifications will be made to
ensure that each student experiences success. In appropriate
circumstances students will be provided with pre-written notes and rewrites on tests. In addition to this when necessary students will
receive EA support, (access to reader/scribe if applicable) preferential
seating, use of technology and extra time for assignments. When
needed I will student-pair peers and re-teach to ensure all students
achieve success.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES:
Assignments/Tasks
Self-Assessment
Observation Checklist
I can statements
Class Discussion
Oral questioning
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT STRATGIES:
Assignments
Project(Performance Task)
Self-Assessments
Unit Exam
*This unit contains a small amount of summative assessment, as it is a
concept that is the foundation of Social Studies Six. As a result of this
formative assessment was used heavily to ensure student mastery of
the concept, which allows for all students to achieve success and feel
confident in their knowledge of the Four Pillars of Democracy (as FREJ
is continually revisited throughout the year).
TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION:
Internet searching
Word Processing
CURRENT EVENTS:

This unit allows for flexibility to provide students with the

opportunity to engage in current affairs (worldwide) and
issues and concerns of a local nature.
CLASS
Course
Outline &
Backgroun
d Where
is Canada?

(SWBAT link
previous
knowledge of
geography
and maps to
identify &
label a map of
Canada)

What is
democracy
?

DURATION

1 Class

2 Classes

CONTENT
- Go over
course
outline.
- Identify and
label a map
of Canada
(this will be
used further
on in the
unit)

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCO

Skills & Process: Students will

6.S.3: develop skills of geographic thinking: c
various types of maps to broaden understand
studied.
6.S.5: demonstrate skills of cooperation, confl
consensus building.
6.S.9: develop skills of media literacy

- KWL Chart Values & Attitudes: Students will

6.1.1: recognize how individuals and governm
What is a
bring about change within their local and nati
democracy
6.1.1.1: recognize and respect the dem
and a
citizens in Canada
democratic
Knowledge
& Understanding: Students wi
system?
To what
extent can
Canadian
citizens &
you as
grade 6
students
use
democracy?

6.1.2: demonstrate an understanding of the f

principles of democracy by exploring and refl
following questions and issues:
6.1.2.1: What is democracy (i.e., justice
representation)?
Skills & Processes: Students will
6.S.1: develop skills of critical thinking and cr
6.S.5: demonstrate skills of cooperation, confl
consensus building.
6.S.8: demonstrate skills of oral, written and v

Ways to
Make a
Decision:
- voting
- consensus
Decision
Making
Models
(SWBAT
explain
different
ways to
make a
decision)

representative

1 class

What are the

pros and
cons of
consensus,
voting and
representati
ve decisionmaking?
(Connect
decision
making
models to
democracy)

What are
the 4
Pillars of
Democracy
?
(SWBAT
describe
what
democracy
is and apply
the four
pillars of
democracy)

Direct vs
Representa
tive

- Freedom
4 Classes

Representatio
n

- Equity
- Justice

2 classes

To what
extent do
the four
pillars
contribute
to
democracy?
- Direct
Democracy
Representati
ve
democracy

Values & Attitudes: Students will

6.1.1: recognize how individuals and governm
bring about change within their local and nati
6.1.1.4: value citizens participation in
Knowledge & Understanding: Students wi
6.1.2: demonstrate an understanding of the f
principles of democracy by exploring and refl
following questions and issues:
6.1.2.1: What is democracy (i.e., justice
representation)?
6.1.6: analyze how individuals, groups and as
community impact decision making of local a
governments by exploring and reflecting upon
questions and issues:
6.1.6.1: How can individuals, groups an
a community impact decision making o
governments by exploring and reflectin
questions and issues (lobbying, petition
attending local meetings and rallies, co
representatives)?
Skills & Processes: Students will
6.S.1: develop skills of critical thinking and cr
6.S.6: develop age-appropriate behaviour for
responsible citizens contributing to their com
Values & Attitudes: Students will
6.1.1: recognize how individuals and governm
bring about change within their local and nati
6.1.1.1: recognize and respect the dem
citizens in Canada
6.1.1.4: value citizens participation in
Knowledge & Understanding: Students wi
6.1.2: demonstrate an understanding of the f
principles of democracy by exploring and refl
following questions and issues:
6.1.2.1: What is democracy (i.e., justice
representation)?
Skills & Processes: Students will
6.S.1: develop skills of critical thinking and cr
6.S.4: demonstrate skills of decision-making a
6.S.5: demonstrate skills of cooperation, confl
consensus building.

Values & Attitudes: Students will

6.1.1: recognize how individuals and governm
bring about change within their local and nati
6.1.1.5: value the contributions of elec
the democratic process.
Knowledge & Understanding: Students wi
6.1.2: demonstrate an understanding of the f

Democracy
(SWBAT
recognize
the
similarities
and
differences
of Direct vs
Representati
ve
democracy)

What form of
democracy is
Canada?
-refer back to
map from
start of unit
& mark
federal,
provincial,
municipal.

principles of democracy by exploring and refl

following questions and issues:
6.1.2.2: What are the similarities and d
direct and representative democracy?
6.1.2.3: What are the rights and respon
living in a representative democracy
Skills & Processes: Students will
6.S.1: develop skills of critical thinking and cr
6.S.4: demonstrate skills of decision-making a
6.S.6: develop age-appropriate behaviour for
responsible citizens contributing to their com

Canadas
Democratic
Governmen
t

2 Classes
What is
government
responsible
for?
What are the
levels of
government
within
Canada?
To what
extent can I
as a citizen
participate
with the
government?

1 Class
Study
Guide
Summative
Assessmen
t

2 classes

Students will
complete
study guide
- Write unit
exam
- Go over
unit exam

Values & Attitudes: Students will

6.1.1: recognize how individuals and governm
bring about change within their local and nati
6.1.1.5: value the contributions of elec
the democratic process.
Knowledge & Understanding: Students wi
6.1.2: demonstrate an understanding of the f
principles of democracy by exploring and refl
following questions and issues:
6.1.2.2: What are the similarities and d
direct and representative democracy?
6.1.6: analyze how individuals, groups and as
community impact decision making of local a
governments by exploring and reflecting upon
questions and issues:
6.1.6.1: How can individuals, groups an
a community impact decision making o
governments by exploring and reflectin
questions and issues (lobbying, petition
attending local meetings and rallies, co
representatives)?

Skills & Processes: Students will

6.S.1: develop skills of critical thinking and cr
6.S.4: demonstrate skills of decision-making a
6.S.6: develop age-appropriate behaviour for
responsible citizens contributing to their com
*The study guide will address the SLOs cover
out above).

*The test will address the SLOs covered in th

above).