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UniversityofAlbertaLibrary 1620 0980 7767 H 69 A3 S6622 2002 CURRHIST — PREVIEW DRAFT—JUNE 2002 ^ SOCIAL STUDIES KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 12 PROGRAM RATIONALE CORE CONCEPTS VISION The social studies program recognizes the diversity ofAlberta students and that this diversity The Alberta Social Studies Kindergarten to is reflected in the experiences they bring with Grade 12 Program of Studies will meet the needs them to the classroom. In social studies, it is and reflect the nature of21st century learners, and important to create a learning environment where will have at its heart the concepts of citizenship the students' backgrounds and experiences are and identity in the Canadian context. It will be central to informing the teaching and learning of reflective of the diverse cultural perspectives, the program. Opportunities where students' including Aboriginal and Francophone, that identities are validated and their presence is contribute to Canada's evolving realities—. It will acknowledged give them a strong sense ofselfand ultimately contribute to a Canadian spirit a spirit place, and enhance their self-esteem. that will be fundamental in creating a sense of belonging for every student as he or she engages In responding to the needs of all students, the in active and responsible citizenship locally, Alberta Social Studies Kindergarten to Grade 12 nationally and globally. Program ofStudies: • is student-centred and connected to the DEFINITION student's life experiences • emphasizes cultural diversity and background Social studies is the study ofpeople in relation to experiences ofstudents each other and to their world. It is an • develops critical thinking skills and self- interdisciplinary subject that draws upon history, reflection geography, economics, law, political science and • incorporates strategies that promote active other social science disciplines. It focuses on learning and participation people's relationships with their social, physical, • accommodates diverse ways of teaching and spiritual, cultural, economic, political and learning. technological environments. Social studies helps students become active and responsible citizens The concepts of citizenship and identity are at within their communities locally, nationally and the heart ofthe social studies program. These two globally in a complex and changing world. concepts are interrelated and overlapping identity impacting citizenship and vice versa. Examining the six strands of social studies through diverse perspectives promotes respect and Social Studies (K-12) /l ©Alberta Learning,Alberta,Canada (Preview Draft June 2002) Ex LlBRIS Universitatis Albertensis understanding among learners, and provides for a As the world becomes increasingly more complex and complete examination ofsocial interdependent, individuals are challenged to see studies issues. themselves as members of several overlapping communities. These communities require the individual to live and work in a variety of interconnected levels, from the local to multinational. Core to meeting these challenges is the students' ability to critically consider how individual actions have an impact on one's environment, and how different levels of community must be considered when attempting to resolve global problems or issues that can manifest themselves locally or globally. Alberta students experience citizenship in the Canadian context in different ways. Positive self- esteem and a strong sense ofidentity are essential in developing a willingness to contribute to the public good and feeling a sense of efficacy as CITIZENSHIP citizens. It is also fundamental for Alberta students to engage constructively in continued Fundamental to the Alberta social studies program dialogue regarding the bilingual nature of the is the development of active and responsible country and the diverse cultural perspectives, citizenship. Broadly defined, citizenship is the including Aboriginal and Francophone, that understanding ofrelationships among rights, roles contribute to citizenship in the Canadian context. and responsibilities, governance, and an Students living in a minority setting need to feel awareness of one's capacity to effect change. that their identities are viewed as legitimate in Citizenship in social studies encourages informed order to develop positive self-esteem and a and critical societal and political participation, and stronger sense ofidentity that form the foundation a commitment to democratic ideals such as equity ofcitizenship. and equality, freedom and justice within the community. When students are provided with IDENTITY authentic opportunities to participate within the classroom, the school and the community, they A strong sense of self-esteem and identity are develop values and attitudes that support active necessary foundations for effective and enriched and responsible citizenship. interpersonal and social relationships. In meeting the needs ofstudents in a complex and The Alberta social studies program enables changing world, the Alberta Social Studies students to develop an awareness of the personal Kindergarten to Grade 12 Program of Studies characteristics they possess that enable them to approaches citizenship from a multidimensional participate constructively as contributing citizens perspective. Specifically, the program provides in theircommunities and society. opportunities for students to reflect on and internalize positive values and attitudes related to A strong sense of identity and self-esteem is their own understanding ofcivic ethics and social developed through self-reflection, observation and participation. Responsible citizenship also interactions with others. An individual's identity includes consideration ofpast events in examining and self-esteem are shaped by multiple personal contemporary challenges. and social factors, including cultural affiliations; language; symbols shared within local, regional 2/ Social Studies (K-12) (Preview Draft June 2002) ©AlbertaLearning,Alberta, Canada Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Alberta Libraries http://archive.org/details/socialstudieskin2002albe and national communities; media; gender; Aboriginal peoples' relationship with Canada religion; and socioeconomic situations. continues to be interpreted and negotiated through the treaty-making process, and through the By exploring these factors through social studies, entrenchment of Aboriginal and treaty rights in students will develop and value a strong sense of the Canadian Constitution. Aboriginal rights have self-esteem and pride for who they are as citizens been further affirmed through the legal concepts in theircommunities and society. ofAboriginal title. RECOGNIZING CANADA'S PEOPLES Guided by the voice of Aboriginal peoples, education can now play a role in strengthening Canadians recognize the importance of ensuring and revitalizing Aboriginal cultures. In achieving that all citizens have a sense ofbelonging within a this goal, the social studies program in Alberta national fabric interwoven with cultural, ethnic enables students to see Aboriginal cultures and and linguistic diversity. Respect for the diverse identity presented in the curriculum and supported cultural heritages of Canadians promotes ethnic in a respectful way. Social studies also provides and racial harmony among citizens and a feeling opportunities for Aboriginal students to become ofsecurity. hopeful and appreciative of lifelong learning, and connectedto theirculture. By exploring Canada's pluralism, partners in Canadian society will maintain a dialogue with For all Alberta students, the social studies each other, learn from one another, and work program ofstudies will: together to build a Canada that celebrates its • promote an accurate understanding of First partnerships and enables all citizens to feel a Nations, Metis and inuit heritage and history strong sense of belonging. Recognizing and • provide students with a realistic contemporary respecting the diversity of Canadians fosters a portrayal of the lives and contributions of sense ofinclusion and a commitment to building a Aboriginals strong and united Canada. • increase students' knowledge and PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING OF understanding ofthe diversity and richness of CANADA'S ABORIGINAL PEOPLES First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures • develop a detailed, accurate explanation of legal rights of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Canada's Aboriginal peoples comprise the First people. Nations, Metis and Inuit ofCanada. Even though each of these groups has different languages, PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING OF traditions and histories, and there is diversity CULTURALLY DIVERSE within each group, similar perspectives exist — FRENCH-SPEAKING CANADIANS among all Aboriginal peoples perspectives that describe their place, knowledge and skills in their The Francophone experience is integral to world. It is vital that teachers, including the Canadian history, identity and culture. Even Elders of Aboriginal peoples, transmit these though French-speaking Canadians are multi- perspectives. cultural and come from different traditions and Aboriginal histories predate European contact by histories, all French-speaking Canadians have common concerns for the vitality of their thousands of years. Over this span of time, language, cultures and identities in the North Aboriginal peoples developed diverse cultures and American and world contexts. self-governing nations, controlled vast territories and had self-sustaining economies. Their ways of life and governance were changed forever upon A cornerstone of Canadian diversity is the recognition of the Official Minority Language initial contact with early explorers. The basis of rights, which further support the Official Social Studies (K-12) /3 ©AlbertaLearning,Alberta, Canada (Preview Draft June 2002) Languages Act. In order to ensure a broad For students enrolled in Francophone programs, understanding of diversity in the Canadian the social studies program ofstudies will: context, the Alberta social studies program of • strengthen Francophone identity and studies provides all learners with an understanding contribute to creating Francophone schools of the contribution of Francophone Canadians as that will constitute a focal point of living founding partners in shaping the country, as well culture that meets the needs and expectations as oftheir role in contemporary Canadian society. ofparents and the Francophone community • foster creativity and encourage students to For all Alberta students, the social studies play an active role in contributing to the programofstudies will: flourishing of Francophone culture, families • provide students with a sound knowledge and and communities understanding ofFrench-Canadian history and • promote partnership with the home, ofthe Francophonie in general community and business world to strengthen • introduce and instill an appreciation of the the complementary links among school, multi-ethnic and intercultural nature of the family and community Canadian Francophonie • engage students in participating in the • develop students' appreciation and respect for bilingual and multicultural nature ofCanada. the bilingual character and multicultural nature ofCanada PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING OF CULTURALLY DIVERSE • allow students to recognize the needs ENGLISH-SPEAKING CANADIANS particular to Alberta's Francophone learners and communities, thus providing them with the space they needto grow. Tremendous cultural diversity also exists among non-Aboriginal, non-Francophone Canadians. Social studies occupies a central position in a Their ancestries can be traced to multiple places successful Francophone education in Alberta. By of origin, including England, Germany, China, fostering citizenship and identity, social studies Taiwan, Scotland, Ukraine, Ireland, India, contributes to the development and enhancement Pakistan, the Netherlands, Poland, Vietnam, of Francophone students' sense of identity. The Norway, Sweden, Ethiopia, Italy, Wales, program will help them foster and maintain a Denmark, Japan, South Africa, El Salvador and positive self-image rooted in beliefs, values and the Philippines. Common to these Canadians is history that constitute the Francophone heritage their use ofEnglish as their everyday language in and vitality within Canada. A social studies the public space. program that includes Francophone perspectives throughout will help Francophone students to Through the social studies program, students will flourish as participating citizens of their explore the British foundations of Canada's communities at the local, provincial, territorial, political and legal institutions. They will also national andglobal levels. come to appreciate the status of English as an official language, as well as the constitutional The program will equip Francophone students to guarantees provided for all Canadians regardless become full participants in the building of their ofrace, national orethnic origin, orcolour. Francophone community. It will encourage the development ofa common Francophone Canadian Recognizing the experiences and contributions of culture, community solidarity, and equip students culturally diverse English-speaking Canadians in with tools that foster community dialogue. the social studies program of studies will enable Students will be empowered to affirm all students in Albertato: Francophone rights, support their Francophone communities and enhance the vitality of their milieu. 4/ Social Studies (K-12) (Preview Draft June 2002) ©AlbertaLearning,Alberta,Canada