St. Andrew’s School
Social Studies 9: Canada: Opportunities and Challenges
Tentative Course Outline
Teacher: Mr. K. Kosak
Ph. Number: 523-4595 Ext. 420
E-mail: ken.kosak@hfcrd.ab.ca
Website: www.hfcrd.ab.ca/standrews
Definition of Social Studies
Social Studies is an issue-focused, inquiry driven interdisciplinary subject drawing upon
the topics of history, geography, political science, economics, international relationships, and
sociology. Social Studies is a fundamental progression allowing students to mature into an
awareness of who they are, wish to become and the roles they may take in ensuring a just and
equitable society.
Rationale and Philosophy
Grade 9 students will study the relationship between Canada’s political and legislative
practices and their impact on issues pertaining to governance, rights, citizenship and identity.
Students will also explore issues of economics and their impact on quality of life, citizenship and
identity in Canada and the United States.
Content
The Grade 9 course is split into two general outcomes approximately 90 days each:
General Outcome 9.1 Issues for Canadians: Governance and Rights
General Outcome 9.2 Issues for Canadians: Economic Systems in Canada and
the United States
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St. Andrew’s School
Social Studies 9: Canada: Opportunities and Challenges
Tentative Course Outline
Course Evaluation
Formative:
Assessment used to inform instruction and monitor student understanding. 0%
Summative: How Student Grade is Calculated
Chapter Assignments and Tests (CAT)
Unit 1 Exam: Governance and Rights
Unit 2 Exam: Economic Systems in Canada and the United States
Provincial Achievement Test (PAT)
Total
65%
10%
10%
15%
100%
Prescribed Resources
1. Issues For Canadians: Nelson Education: 2008
2. Issues For Canadians Teaching Resource Manual: Nelson Education: 2008
Textbooks are to be kept in the shape they were received. Students are encouraged to
make a list of existing damage in their textbooks and to submit the list to the teacher to be
kept on file in case there is a discrepancy at the end of the year regarding damage.
Tracking of Formative Lessons 0%:
Formative lessons will be tracked through Powerschool. Work will be identified
as complete (check mark) or incomplete (inc). Again, this is for tracking purposes and in
no way reflect student understanding. Chapter assignments and tests will be based on
your formative lessons. So, consistent and constant review is a must to develop an
appreciable level of insight. As a parent, this will give you a window into your child’s
daily work habits.
Formative Assessment 0%:
Formative assessment is used to guide instruction. It provides information about a
student’s progress and direction for steps to improve learning. It is never graded but
always evaluated. You can think of it as the practice before the game (summative
assessment). Therefore, formative assessment is where students develop the knowledge
and skills necessary to be successful in their summative assessments. The following
rubric will be used to monitor formative assessment:
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St. Andrew’s School
Social Studies 9: Canada: Opportunities and Challenges
Tentative Course Outline
E-Excellent – The student meets the standard of excellence by
demonstrating exemplary performance or understanding of concept or
learning outcomes.
Pf – Proficient – The student meets the acceptable standards by
demonstrating competent performance, skills or understanding of the
learner outcomes
B-Basic – The student adequately meets acceptable standards. The student
demonstrates an adequate understanding of the learner outcomes and is
developing skills in their learning and competence.
NM-Not Meeting – The student is not yet meeting the acceptable standard, they
are limited in their competence and are not yet able to demonstrate or show full
understanding of the learner outcome. The student has not shown evidence to
demonstrate understanding or competence of meeting the learner outcome.
Summative Assessment 100%:
Chapter Assignments and Tests: 65%
Chapter assignments and tests make up the largest portion of your child’s
summative assessment. Chapter tests will be given throughout the year. The purpose of
this testing is to check student retention of vocabulary and course content within the
smaller context of a chapter. Several chapter assignments will be given throughout the
unit and may include but are not limited to formal paragraphs, dramatic skits, internet
cartooning, posters, speeches and/or essays.
Unit (20%) and Final Exams (PAT 15%)
Unit exams will be given as a cumulative assessment of the entire unit content. As
there are two units, there will be two exams. Final exams (PAT) will be a cumulative
assessment of the entire year’s course content.
Communication
The primary source of communication, here at St. Andrew’s school is
Powerschool. Through Powerschool, you will be able to track your child’s progress in
real time. Beyond Powerschool, you will be informed by either e-mail or phone if your
child has missed an assignments deadline. Not to worry, your child can still hand in the
assignment for grading. It is my sincerest desire to give your child the highest possible
grade that their capable of attaining. Without completed assignments, their grades will be
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St. Andrew’s School
Social Studies 9: Canada: Opportunities and Challenges
Tentative Course Outline
heavily weighted toward testing/conferencing as they will be the only
indicators available to compare against the learner outcomes.
Lates and Preparedness
It is expected that you will come to class on time and will be prepared for class.
Students need to bring to class everyday:





Textbooks
Binder & loose-leaf
Pens and Pencils
Highlighters
An open mind and positive attitude
Classroom Guidelines
 Students are not permitted to have food or drink in the classroom with the
exception of water, unless previously approved by the teacher.
 Students are required to ask for permission when leaving the classroom. Only
ONE student at a time may leave the room. This is to better ensure a safe and
timely return to the classroom. Furthermore, the student is to state their purpose
for leaving the room (washroom, drink, locker, to get textbook, etc…).
 Teacher computer and desk is off limits to students. Please respect the work area.
 Personal electronic devices will have internet accessibility and are to be used for
educational purposes. Students are expected to use these devices responsibly.
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St. Andrew’s School
Social Studies 9: Canada: Opportunities and Challenges
Tentative Course Outline
Social Studies 9: Specific Knowledge Based Learner Outcomes
9.1 Issues for Canadians: Governance and Rights
Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how Canada’s
political processes impact citizenship and identity in an attempt to meet the needs of all
Canadians.
Students will:
9.1.4 examine the structure of Canada’s federal political system
9.1.5 analyze the role that citizens and organizations play in Canada’s justice system
9.1.6 assess, critically, the impact of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on
the legislative process in Canada
9.1.7 assess, critically, how the increased demand for recognition of collective rights
has
impacted the legislative process in Canada
9.1.8 assess, critically, how legislative processes attempt to address emerging issues of
immigration
9.2 Issues for Canadians: Economic Systems in Canada and the United States
Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how economic
decision making in Canada and the United States impacts quality of life, citizenship and
identity.
Students will:
9.2.4 compare and contrast the principles and practices of market and mixed economies
9.2.5 assess, critically, the relationship between consumerism and quality of life in
Canada and the United States
9.2.6 assess, critically, the interrelationship between political decisions and economic
systems
.
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