Alberta · Grade 2
Grade 2 Social Studies
Alberta’s Grade 2 social studies course, from Time and Place to Citizenship.
- Units
- 3
- Lessons
- 5
- Skills
- 10
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- curriculum.learnalberta.ca
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 4 skills
Time and Place
Canada's Physical Regions & Maps
Canada's distinct physical regions
I can name Canada's physical regions and compare their features and natural resources.
Skill 1.1
Maps, globes, and relative location
I can find places on a map or globe and describe where they are compared to other places.
Skill 1.2
Heritage & Multiculturalism
First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Francophone heritage
I can describe heritages that are foundations of Canada: First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Francophone.
Skill 1.3
Multiculturalism in Canadian communities
I can explain what multiculturalism means and describe diverse groups in my community.
Skill 1.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 1.1
- Canada has distinct physical regions, for example, Canadian Shield Great Lakes Prairies Arctic Appalachian Mountains
- 1.2
- Relative location can be described by using terms including near, far north, east, south, west
- 1.3
- Since time immemorial, First Nations and Inuit inhabited the land and had unique ways of living on the land.
- 1.4
- Multiculturalism is about different cultural communities keeping their identity and creating a sense of belonging.
Key ideas
Canada has distinct physical regions — Canadian Shield, Great Lakes, Prairies, Arctic, Appalachians, Mountains — each with its own landforms and bodies of water.
Since time immemorial — longer than memory or records — First Nations and Inuit have lived on this land with unique ways of living on it; the name Canada likely comes from Kanata, a Haudenosaunee word, and many First Nations call the continent Turtle Island.
Natural resources vary by region: fish, forests, farmland, minerals, oil and gas.
Métis heritage blends First Nations and European roots with distinct traditions and languages like Michif; Francophone heritage grows from the first settlements and the French language.
Maps and globes show where places are: regions, major cities, provinces, and territories.
Watch out for
- Thinking all of Canada looks the same — the regions differ dramatically.
- Thinking Canada's story starts when Europeans arrived — First Nations and Inuit histories begin long, long before.
- Thinking every region has the same resources — resources follow the land.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 4 skills
Systems
Trade & Transportation
Natural resources, goods, and trade
I can explain how resources become goods and why communities import and export.
Skill 2.1
How trade travels
I can compare the ways goods and resources travel and match cargo to its best transport.
Skill 2.2
Government in Canada
Three levels of government and their leaders
I can name Canada's three levels of government and who leads each.
Skill 2.3
Voting and how government decides
I can explain how leaders are chosen and how government makes decisions.
Skill 2.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 2.1
- Natural resources can be transformed into goods to meet needs and wants.
- 2.2
- Trade involves the transportation of natural resources and goods in various ways, such as by train, airplane, truck, ship, and pipeline.
- 2.3
- There are three levels of government in Canada: local (municipal) provincial and territorial federal
- 2.4
- Decisions at the federal level of government are made by representatives who meet to discuss and vote on ideas in the House of Commons or the Senate.
Key ideas
Natural resources transform into goods: trees → lumber → furniture; wheat → flour → bread.
Three levels: local (municipal), provincial/territorial, and federal — each looks after different services.
Communities buy in (import) what they lack and sell out (export) what they have plenty of; resources even shape where people live and work.
The prime minister leads Canada's government; a premier leads a province or territory; the Governor General and lieutenant-governors represent the King; First Nations communities can be represented by Chiefs.
Goods move by train, airplane, truck, ship, and pipeline — each fits different cargo.
Watch out for
- Thinking goods appear at the store — every good began as natural resources somewhere.
- Thinking the prime minister decides everything — each level has its own responsibilities.
- Thinking trading means a community is poor — every community trades because no place has everything.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 2 skills
Citizenship
Making Decisions Together
Decision methods and perspectives
I can compare ways of making group decisions and explain why people see issues differently.
Skill 3.1
Facts and opinions
I can tell facts from opinions.
Skill 3.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 3.1
- There are various methods for making decisions, including voting (elections) discussing until an agreement is reached (consensus) giving one person the ability to decide
- 3.2
- A fact is information that can be proven to be true. An opinion is what someone thinks or feels about a topic.
Key ideas
Three main methods: voting (majority wins), consensus (talk until agreement), or one person decides.
People's perspectives grow from heritage, culture, knowledge, experiences, and beliefs — so honest disagreement is normal.
A fact can be proven true — you can check it.
An opinion is what someone thinks or feels — it can be shared and discussed, but not proven.
Watch out for
- Thinking voting is the only fair method — consensus makes sure everyone agrees, which fits some decisions better.
- Thinking someone who disagrees is wrong — different perspectives can both be honest.
- Thinking a strong opinion becomes a fact if enough people say it — proof is what makes a fact.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
The official curriculum
This page follows Alberta’s own curriculum for Grade 2 Social Studies.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Grade 2 Social Studies one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.
Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep Grade 2 Social Studies organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
- 23
- Fillable fields
- 1,056
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Grade 2 Social Studies
What is Grade 2 Social Studies?
Alberta’s Grade 2 social studies course: 3 units and 10 skills, from Time and Place to Citizenship.
What units are in Grade 2 Social Studies?
1. Time and Place, 2. Systems and 3. Citizenship.
Is there a provincial exam for Grade 2 Social Studies?
No. Alberta gives no provincial exam for Grade 2 Social Studies.
What comes after Grade 2 Social Studies?
Grade 3 Social Studies.
Can MapleMind help with Grade 2 Social Studies?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Grade 2 Social Studies, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
Get ready for Grade 2 Social Studies
Practise every skill of Grade 2 Social Studies in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
