Nova Scotia · Grade 4
Social Studies, Grade 4
Nova Scotia’s Grade 4 social studies course, from The Concept of Exploration to The Political Landscape of Canada.
- Units
- 6
- Lessons
- 6
- Skills
- 16
- 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
The Concept of Exploration
What is Exploration?
Explorers in our own community
I can identify explorers in my own community and explain that anyone who discovers something new to them is an explorer.
Skill 1.1
How and why we explore
I can explain reasons why people explore and name different types of exploration.
Skill 1.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 1.1
- investigate the concept of exploration
- 1.2
- investigate the concept of exploration
Key ideas
An explorer discovers something new - even something new only to them.
Being an explorer can mean visiting a place, reading, or trying something new.
There are explorers in our own community, not just far away.
Everyone's knowledge grows through exploring.
People explore out of curiosity, to solve problems, or to find resources.
Watch out for
- Thinking explorers only lived long ago on ships.
- Thinking only famous people can be explorers.
- Thinking there is only one kind of exploration.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 3 skills
Stories of Explorers
The Stories of Explorers
Why explorers set out
I can explain what motivated different explorers, including those from Nova Scotia's cultural groups.
Skill 2.1
Risks and challenges explorers faced
I can describe challenges explorers faced and how they overcame them.
Skill 2.2
Exploration and innovation
I can explain how exploration led to innovation - new tools, ideas, or ways of doing things.
Skill 2.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 2.1
- stories of various explorers, inclusive of Acadians, African Nova Scotians, Gaels, Mi’kmaq, and additional cultures
- 2.2
- stories of various explorers
- 2.3
- stories of various explorers
Key ideas
Motivation means the reason a person does something.
Explorers set out for trade, land, resources, adventure, or knowledge.
Explorers came from many cultures, including Acadians, African Nova Scotians, Gaels, and Mi'kmaq.
The Mi'kmaq travelled and knew this land long before newcomers arrived.
Explorers faced challenges: harsh climate, poor tools, hunger, and danger.
Watch out for
- Thinking all explorers had the same reasons.
- Thinking exploration always meant finding empty land - lands often had people already.
- Thinking exploration was easy or safe.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 3 skills
Impacts of Exploration
The Impacts of Exploration
Consequences on people and environments
I can identify positive and negative consequences of an exploration on people and the environment.
Skill 3.1
Exploration changes our understanding
I can explain how exploration changed the way people understood the world.
Skill 3.2
Modern resource exploration and Aboriginal perspectives
I can evaluate how modern resource exploration affects the environment and consider Aboriginal perspectives on the land.
Skill 3.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 3.1
- evaluate the impacts of exploration
- 3.2
- impacts of exploration
- 3.3
- evaluate the impacts of exploration
Key ideas
Exploration has both positive and negative consequences.
The environment can be harmed (garbage, mining) or studied and protected.
The peoples already living in 'explored' lands often faced big changes to their lives.
Evaluating means weighing the good and the harm.
Exploration over time deepened our understanding of the world.
Watch out for
- Thinking exploration was only good or only bad.
- Ignoring the impact on peoples who already lived there.
- Thinking people always knew what the world looked like.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 3 skills
Humans and the Physical Environment
Living With the Land
Types of physical environments
I can name and describe different types of physical environments.
Skill 4.1
How humans interact with the environment
I can explain how the physical environment shapes where and how people live, and describe a Canadian Aboriginal perspective on the land.
Skill 4.2
The impact humans have on the environment
I can question and describe the impact humans have on the physical environment and why sustainability matters.
Skill 4.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 4.1
- relationships between humans and the physical environment
- 4.2
- relationships between humans and the physical environment
- 4.3
- humans and the physical environment
Key ideas
The physical environment includes mountains, rivers, islands, oceans, plains, and more.
Each type of environment has different features.
The environment offers benefits (food, water) and challenges (storms, cold).
Nova Scotia's environment includes coastline, forests, and rivers.
The environment influences where people settle and how they live.
Watch out for
- Thinking all environments are the same.
- Thinking the environment only helps and never challenges people.
- Thinking the environment doesn't affect where people live.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 5 · 2 skills
The Physical Landscape of Canada
Canada's Physical Regions
Canada's regions and geographical features
I can define what a region is and name and locate Canada's six main physical regions.
Skill 5.1
Climate, vegetation, and resources by region
I can describe the climate, vegetation, and natural resources of a Canadian physical region.
Skill 5.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 5.1
- investigate the physical landscape of Canada
- 5.2
- physical landscape of Canada
Key ideas
A region is an area that shares similar features.
Canada has six main physical regions.
The regions are: Western Cordillera, Interior Plains, Arctic Lowlands, Canadian Shield, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands, and Appalachia.
Nova Scotia is part of the Appalachia region.
Climate is the usual weather of a place (temperature and precipitation).
Watch out for
- Thinking Canada looks the same everywhere.
- Thinking a region is just one province - regions can cross provinces.
- Thinking all of Canada has the same climate.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 6 · 3 skills
The Political Landscape of Canada
How Canada is Governed
Elections and forming a government
I can explain how elections are used to choose the people who form a government.
Skill 6.1
The federal government and representation
I can describe Canada's central federal government, its responsibilities, and how provinces and territories are represented in it.
Skill 6.2
First Nation Band Governance
I can explain that First Nation communities have their own Band Governance and how it works to meet community needs.
Skill 6.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 6.1
- investigate the political landscape of Canada
- 6.2
- political landscape of Canada
- 6.3
- political landscape of Canada
Key ideas
An election is how citizens choose their leaders by voting.
In a democracy, the people have a say in who governs.
The group with the most support forms the government.
Voting is a right and a responsibility of citizens.
Canada has a central, federal government for the whole country.
Watch out for
- Thinking leaders are chosen without the people's say.
- Thinking only adults matter in a democracy - future voters matter too.
- Thinking one province makes rules for the whole country.
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 4.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Social Studies, Grade 4 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 4 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
- 33
- Fillable fields
- 1,289
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Social Studies, Grade 4
What is Social Studies, Grade 4?
Nova Scotia’s Grade 4 social studies course: 6 units and 16 skills, from The Concept of Exploration to The Political Landscape of Canada.
What units are in Social Studies, Grade 4?
1. The Concept of Exploration, 2. Stories of Explorers, 3. Impacts of Exploration, 4. Humans and the Physical Environment, 5. The Physical Landscape of Canada and 6. The Political Landscape of Canada.
Is there a provincial exam for Social Studies, Grade 4?
No. Nova Scotia gives no provincial exam for Social Studies, Grade 4.
What comes after Social Studies, Grade 4?
Social Studies, Grade 5.
Can MapleMind help with Social Studies, Grade 4?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Social Studies, Grade 4, 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 4
Practise every skill of Social Studies, Grade 4 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
