Social Studies, Grade 4

Unit 1: Exploration

Examining the concept of exploration - what it means to explore, seeing ourselves as explorers, and recognizing many different types of exploration (places, people, and ideas).

• What it means to explore
• Types of exploration

Unit 2: The Nature of Exploration

Examining the nature and impact of exploration over time - the stories of explorers of land, ocean, space, and ideas, the factors that motivate exploration, and the positive and negative impacts of exploration.

• Stories of many kinds of explorers
• Challenges explorers faced

• Knowledge, power, and wealth

• Positive and negative consequences
• Deepening our understanding of the world

Unit 3: Exploring Our World

Exploring the physical geography of the world - the continents and oceans and major physical features, the characteristics of rivers, islands, mountains, and oceans, and the relationship between humans and the physical environment.

• The continents and oceans
• Features, climate, and vegetation

• Characteristics of physical features

• Benefits and challenges of the environment
• How humans affect the environment

Unit 4: Exploring the Landscapes of Canada

Exploring the landscapes of Canada - its physical landscape and regions, its human landscape, its political landscape (federation, provinces, and territories), and the symbols associated with Canada.

• Canada's six physical regions
• Climate, vegetation, and resources by region

• Where Canadians live
• Connections and making a living

• Provinces, territories, and capitals
• The federal government

• Symbols associated with Canada