Grade 4 - Social Studies - Optional (2025-)

Organizing Idea: Time and Place: Exploring the dynamic relationships between people, place, and time supports understanding of perspectives and events to make meaning of the world.

Organizing Idea: Systems: Evaluating processes and structures of organizations builds understanding of decision making in the world.

Organizing Idea: Citizenship: Understanding local, national, and global issues empowers individual and collective action toward an inclusive society.

Learning Outcome: Students investigate changes in Canada’s political boundaries.

Learning Outcome: Students examine significant historical events that contributed to the formation of the country of Canada.

Learning Outcome: Students investigate historical influences on the federal government in Canada.

Learning Outcome: Students examine the role of the fur trade in the development of Canada.

Learning Outcome: Students investigate rights and responsibilities in Canada.

Knowledge

Understanding

Skills & Procedures

Knowledge

Understanding

Skills & Procedures

Knowledge

Understanding

Skills & Procedures

Knowledge

Understanding

Skills & Procedures

Knowledge

Understanding

Skills & Procedures

To gain territories, resources, and prestige (expansionism), European countries sent explorers overseas, for example,

First Nations and Europeans made treaties with each other, such as the Two Row Wampum (Gaswéñdah), to start a relationship of living side by side.

Colonies were transferred from France to Britain as a result of conflicts and treaties.

Britain gained control of Acadia (Treaty of Utrecht, 1713) and New France (Treaty of Paris, 1763) as the result of treaties signed between Britain and France.

French colonists remained on the lands known as Acadia and New France after Britain gained control of the territories.

Acts were passed by the British to rule and organize colonies in North America.

The Royal Proclamation (1763) has ongoing significance for First Nations today, including

The Royal Proclamation and the Quebec Act impacted ways of living for

The Royal Proclamation and the Quebec Act impacted ways of living, including

The Quebec Act (1774) recognized French language and religious rights in the province of Quebec and provided a foundation for bilingualism in Canada.

The Thirteen Colonies gained independence from Britain (American Revolution) and established the United States of America (1776).

After the United States of America became independent, a border with British North America was established (Treaty of Paris, 1783).

Loyalists from the Thirteen Colonies (United Empire Loyalists) migrated to colonies in the land now known as Canada.

In response to the increase of Loyalists, the Crown divided the province of Quebec into Upper Canada and Lower Canada (Constitution Act, 1791, Canada Act).

British colonists, French colonists, First Nations, and Métis shared a common purpose of resisting American expansion in a series of battles over territory and trade in North America, known as the War of 1812.

After the War of 1812, Britain encouraged people from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland to migrate to the land now known as Canada during what is called the Great Migration (1815–50).

After Britain abolished slavery (1833), enslaved Black people from the United States of America migrated to the land now known as Canada with the support of the Underground Railroad.

Dissatisfaction over the balance of power between Anglophones and Francophones led to rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada (1837–38) and the creation of the Province of Canada (Act of Union), including

Wars, rivalries, and treaties in Europe disrupted life in the colonies.

New acts and legislation set foundations for Canada.

Immigrants contributed to the foundation of Canada.

Governments can make changes in response to the actions of the population.

Compare reasons for exploration and establishing colonies around the world.

Discuss ways relationships were built between First Nations and Europeans.

Investigate the travels of an explorer to the land now known as Canada.

Describe the shift in control of colonies in the land now known as Canada.

Discuss the significance of the Royal Proclamation for First Nations.

Relate the Quebec Act to Francophone rights in Canada.

Compare changes in political boundaries using maps of pre-Confederation Canada.

Infer how migration influenced the balance of power in the land now known as Canada.

Describe the role of the War of 1812 in building relationships between groups in the land now known as Canada.

Investigate stories about the Underground Railroad.

France established permanent settlements on the land now known as Canada, including

Samuel de Champlain, who established Quebec City, became the governor of New France and made alliances with the First Nations of the area.

France founded the colonies of Acadia, New France, and Louisiana, and Britain founded the Thirteen Colonies.

Colonization involved European monarchs expanding empires by claiming land and establishing colonies on land already occupied by Indigenous peoples around the world, including in North America (imperialism).

Colonists came to the colonies for a variety of opportunities, for example,

Colonists brought belief systems and ways of organizing society to the colonies, including

France and Britain imported natural resources from the colonies in North America, for example,

The establishment of New France began European colonization of Canada.

Research French settlements in the land that is now known as the province of Quebec and explore the challenges in establishing settlements.

Examine the challenges and contributions of immigrants before Confederation.

Assess the relationship between home countries and colonies.

The structure of government in Canada evolved over time, was shaped by historical events and acts, and reflects British governance.

Negotiations between the British colonies and the British government about a possible union of the colonies took place over several years (Charlottetown Conference, Quebec Conference, London Conference).

Negotiations involved debates about issues such as American expansionism and the construction of a railroad system.

The Fathers of Confederation, including Anglophone and Francophone politicians, contributed to the negotiation of the British North America Act (1867), which is also known as the BNA Act or the Constitution Act of 1867.

The BNA Act united the Province of Canada, which was renamed Ontario and Quebec, with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to form the Dominion of Canada at Confederation in 1867.

The BNA Act established the parliamentary system with Members of Parliament (MPs) as representatives, the prime minister as the leader, and a Governor General to represent the Crown (the sovereign).

Modern government reflects historical influences.

Discuss reasons for negotiations that led to Confederation.

Examine perspectives of Francophones and Anglophones on Confederation.

Describe the historical and modern significance of the British North America Act.

Through the fur trade, furs were shipped from North America to Europe, where supply was low, and manufactured goods were shipped from Europe to North America, where demand was high.

Competition for control of the fur trade motivated Europeans to

Trading posts and forts were

Roles of First Nations, Métis, and Europeans that contributed to the fur trade included

Social and economic success of the fur trade relied on First Nations and Métis women, who were intermediaries between European traders and First Nations and Métis communities.

Trade can contribute to social and economic change.

Model the fur trade’s system of exchange.

Discuss interactions between First Nations, Métis, and Europeans that occurred as part of the fur trade.

Identify the contributions made by a woman, or a group of women, to the fur trade.

Citizenship in Canada provides rights, such as the right to be treated equally regardless of difference.

Citizenship in Canada carries responsibilities, such as contributing to the community, respecting the rights of others, and voting.

Citizens in Canada have rights, freedoms, and responsibilities.

Rights come with responsibilities.

Reflect on personal rights and responsibilities.

Relate responsibilities to rights.

Justify the protection of rights and responsibilities.

Jacques Cartier

Giovanni Caboto

Pierre Du Gua de Monts

Samuel de Champlain

recognition of First Nations as the original inhabitants of North America

recognition of First Nations right to self-government

establishment of nation-to-nation treaty making process

establishment of First Nations relations to the Crown

First Nations

French colonists

British colonists

size and location of territories

religious and language rights

governance structure

land sale and use

unification of Upper and Lower Canada to create one province of Canada

policies to assimilate Francophones

establishment of one responsible government with equal representation for Canada East and Canada West (Durham Report)

designation of English as the official language of government

Port-Royal (1605)

Quebec City (1608)

Trois-Rivières (1634)

Montreal (1642)

access to farmland

business

religious freedom

quality of life

adventure

religions

leadership

education

health care

furs

lumber

agricultural products

minerals

establish the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company

expand farther north and west by building more trading posts and forts

centres for interactions such as meeting and bartering

warehouses for goods, supplies, and medicines

lodgings

hunters and trappers

interpreters and guides

clerks

coureurs des bois and voyageurs