Grade 5 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 5 social studies in the BC Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Natural resources continue to shape the economy and identity of different regions of Canada.
- Immigration and multiculturalism continue to shape Canadian society and identity.
- Canadian institutions and government reflect the challenge of our regional diversity.
- Canada's policies for and treatment of minority peoples have negative and positive legacies.
Easy ways to practise social studies at home
- Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently.
- Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying.
- Use an atlas or online map to trace a trade or travel route.
- Ask “Whose voice is missing from this story?” when reading about the past.
What each unit covers
Levels of Government
Federal, provincial/territorial, municipal and Indigenous governments: who leads them, what each looks after, and how they're funded.
Making Laws
How a bill becomes law in Parliament, elections and ridings, local bylaws, and how young people can take part in democracy.
Rights & Freedoms
The main parts of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, applying them to real situations, and the responsibilities that come with rights.
Immigration & Multiculturalism
Push and pull factors, refugees and citizenship, Canada's multiculturalism policy, and a reading about a family's new start in Canada.
Learning from the Past
An age-appropriate, factual look at the Chinese Head Tax, the Komagata Maru, the internment of Japanese Canadians and residential schools, with a focus on apologies, redress and reconciliation. No graphic detail.
Regions & Resources
The natural resources and industries of Canada's regions, how they shape regional identity, and First Peoples' land rights and title.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Emerging
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Developing
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Proficient
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Extending
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the BC report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 5 child with social studies?
Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently. Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 5 social studies in BC?
The BC Curriculum Grade 5 social studies units include levels of government, making laws, rights & freedoms, immigration & multiculturalism, learning from the past, regions & resources.
Free printable Grade 5 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.