Grade 5 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 5 social studies in the New Brunswick Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Geography: Human Systems and Interactions. Identify evidence of British and French presence in Atlantic Canada.
- History: Events and Peoples. Describe interactions between the first and founding peoples of Atlantic Canada.
- History: Sources and Methods. Discuss how to answer questions about the past using historical thinking concepts.
- Civics: Power and Governance. Describe the governance structure and role of the Wabanaki Confederacy.
- Wabanaki: Reconciliation. Discuss contact and colonization from Wabanaki perspectives.
- Economics: Decision-Making. Discuss worldview using the seven elements of worldview.
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
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.
French & British in Atlantic Canada
Practises the evidence of British and French presence in Atlantic Canada, using primary and secondary sources. It follows the Grade 5 social studies skill descriptors on human systems and on historical sources in the New Brunswick curriculum.
The Wabanaki Confederacy
Practises the governance structure and role of the Wabanaki Confederacy and the Peace and Friendship treaties. The content is light, in the present tense, and needs review by Wabanaki partners. It follows the Grade 5 social studies skill descriptors on power and governance and on reconciliation in the New Brunswick curriculum.
Worldviews & Deciding Together
Practises how different worldviews lead to different approaches to economic decisions, with examples such as barter, the fur trade and Netukulimk. It follows the Grade 5 social studies skill descriptors on economic decision-making in the New Brunswick curriculum.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Working below
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Excelling
- 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 New Brunswick report card guide.
Common questions
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.
The New Brunswick Curriculum Grade 5 social studies units include learning from the past, french & british in atlantic canada, the wabanaki confederacy, worldviews & deciding together.
Free printable Grade 5 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.