Nova Scotia · Grade 1
Social Studies, Grade 1
Nova Scotia’s Grade 1 social studies course, from Cultural Diversity to Needs and Wants.
- Units
- 4
- Lessons
- 4
- Skills
- 8
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 2 skills
Cultural Diversity
The Cultural Groups Around Us
Asking questions about cultural groups
I can ask simple questions to find out about the different cultural groups in my community and in Nova Scotia.
Skill 1.1
Finding out about cultural groups in Nova Scotia
I can find out a few facts about a cultural group in Nova Scotia and tell how it is a part of our community.
Skill 1.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 1.1
- investigate the diversity of cultural groups
- 1.2
- diversity of cultural groups
Key ideas
A cultural group shares things like language, food, stories, and celebrations.
Nova Scotia has many cultural groups, including Acadians, African Nova Scotians, Gaels, and Mi'kmaq.
Good 'wonder' questions start with Who, What, or How - like 'Who are the Gaels?'.
Asking questions is how we begin to learn about people who are different from us.
We learn about a group by looking at pictures, books, and asking people.
Watch out for
- Thinking everyone in Nova Scotia is the same - our province has many cultural groups.
- Thinking a question has to be hard - a simple 'I wonder who...' question is a great start.
- Thinking a cultural group is only about food - it includes language, stories, and history too.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 2 skills
Caring for the Environment
Taking Care of Our Environment
Asking why we protect the environment
I can ask a question about why we need to care for and protect our environment.
Skill 2.1
Responsible actions and Netukulimk
I can name and do real actions that care for the environment, and I know that Netukulimk is a Mi'kmaw teaching about sharing and protecting the land.
Skill 2.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 2.1
- caring for the environment
- 2.2
- responsible behaviour in caring for the environment
Key ideas
The environment is the air, water, land, plants, and animals around us.
We depend on the environment for clean air, water, and food.
A good question is 'Why is it important to care for the environment?'.
Even small people can help protect the environment.
Responsible actions: don't litter, save water, recycle, take care of plants and animals.
Watch out for
- Thinking only grown-ups can protect the environment - children can too.
- Thinking the environment will always be fine no matter what we do.
- Thinking one person's actions don't matter - they do, especially together.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 2 skills
Mi'kmaq Communities in Nova Scotia
Mi'kmaq Communities Today
Asking where Mi'kmaq communities are
I can ask a question about where Mi'kmaq communities are found in Nova Scotia today.
Skill 3.1
Learning the names of Mi'kmaq communities
I can name and point to a Mi'kmaq community in Nova Scotia on a simple map.
Skill 3.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 3.1
- locations of Mi’kmaq communities in Nova Scotia
- 3.2
- investigate the locations of Mi’kmaq communities
Key ideas
The Mi'kmaq are the first people of Nova Scotia and this land is called Mi'kma'ki.
There are modern Mi'kmaq communities all across Nova Scotia today.
A map helps us find where communities are located.
'Where do Mi'kmaq people live in Nova Scotia?' is a good question to investigate.
Mi'kmaq communities have names and are found in many parts of Nova Scotia.
Watch out for
- Thinking the Mi'kmaq lived only long ago - Mi'kmaq communities are here and modern today.
- Thinking there is only one Mi'kmaq community - there are many across Nova Scotia.
- Thinking Mi'kmaq communities are all in one place - they are spread across the province.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 2 skills
Needs and Wants
What We Need and What We Want
Telling needs from wants
I can look at something and tell whether it is a need (I must have it) or a want (it is nice to have).
Skill 4.1
Respecting others' needs and wants
I can ask questions to compare my needs and wants with other people's, and I understand that wants can be different for everyone.
Skill 4.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 4.1
- difference between needs and wants
- 4.2
- analyse the difference between needs and wants
Key ideas
A need is something everyone must have to live: food, water, shelter, clothing.
A want is something nice to have but not needed to live: toys, games, treats.
Ask: 'Could I live without this?' If yes, it is probably a want.
All people share the same basic needs.
Everyone's needs are similar, but wants are different from person to person.
Watch out for
- Thinking anything you really like is a need - liking something a lot doesn't make it a need.
- Thinking a want is bad - wants are fine, they are just different from needs.
- Thinking everyone should want the same things you want.
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 Nova Scotia’s own curriculum for Social Studies, Grade 1.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Social Studies, Grade 1 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 Social Studies, Grade 1 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
- 27
- Fillable fields
- 1,071
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Social Studies, Grade 1
What is Social Studies, Grade 1?
Nova Scotia’s Grade 1 social studies course: 4 units and 8 skills, from Cultural Diversity to Needs and Wants.
What units are in Social Studies, Grade 1?
1. Cultural Diversity, 2. Caring for the Environment, 3. Mi'kmaq Communities in Nova Scotia and 4. Needs and Wants.
Is there a provincial exam for Social Studies, Grade 1?
No. Nova Scotia gives no provincial exam for Social Studies, Grade 1.
What comes after Social Studies, Grade 1?
Social Studies, Grade 2.
Can MapleMind help with Social Studies, Grade 1?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Social Studies, Grade 1, 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 Social Studies, Grade 1
Practise every skill of Social Studies, Grade 1 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
