Grade 8 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 8 social studies in the Prince Edward Island Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Canadian identity. Canadian identity and its cultural, political and societal roots, from the 1920s to present-day Canada.
- Geographic influences. Canadian identity explored through geographic influences.
- Decades of change. Canadian identity explored through decades of change.
- Citizenship. Canadian identity explored through citizenship.
- Culminating project. A project-based expression of their own understanding of Canadian identity, presented in the final weeks.
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
What Is Canadian Identity?
Practises the idea of Canadian identity and its cultural, political and societal roots from the 1920s to present-day Canada.
Newcomers and Communities
Practises how immigration, refugees, Acadian and Black Canadian communities, and the fight against discrimination have shaped Canadian identity since the 1920s.
Land & Identity
Practises how geography has influenced Canadian identity, using maps and geographic thinking.
Sources & Evidence
Children practise choosing and judging sources, reading artifacts and art, comparing accounts and drawing conclusions from evidence.
Decades of Change
Practises how events and changes in the decades from the 1920s to present-day Canada have shaped Canadian identity.
Canada at War and Peace
Practises how the Second World War, the Korean War, the Cold War and peacekeeping changed Canada, and how Canadians remember those who served.
Work and Money Through the Decades
Practises how work, money and government programs changed in Canada from the Great Depression to today, from the family allowance and pensions to free trade and the loonie.
Perspectives & Bias
Children practise listening to other points of view, recognizing bias and stereotyping, using respectful language and sharing their own beliefs with reasons.
Citizenship & Identity
Practises how citizenship connects to Canadian identity, including rights, responsibilities and taking part in society.
How Canada Is Governed
Practises how Canadian government works: the monarchy, Parliament and the Legislative Assembly, how a bill becomes law, elections, the courts and the three levels of government.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- 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.
- Exceeding
- 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 PEI 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 Prince Edward Island Curriculum Grade 8 social studies units include what is canadian identity?, newcomers and communities, land & identity, sources & evidence, decades of change, canada at war and peace.
Free printable Grade 8 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.