Nova Scotia · Grade 5
Social Studies, Grade 5
Nova Scotia’s Grade 5 social studies course, from How We Learn About the Past to Interactions Between British, French, and First Nations and Inuit.
- Units
- 5
- Lessons
- 5
- Skills
- 13
- 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
How We Learn About the Past
How Do We Know About the Past?
Why we learn about the past
I can explain why we study the past and how history is built from primary sources and oral histories.
Skill 1.1
Elders, storytellers, archaeologists, and historians
I can describe how oral storytellers, Elders, archaeologists, and historians each help us understand the past.
Skill 1.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 1.1
- investigate how we learn about the past, with a focus on Acadians, African Nova Scotians, Gaels, Mi’kmaq, and additional cultures
- 1.2
- how we learn about the past
Key ideas
History is not just looking up facts - it is built from evidence.
A primary source is direct evidence from the time (a letter, an object, an oral history).
Oral histories, passed down by telling, are valuable historical evidence.
There may be gaps in our knowledge; history can change as we learn more.
Archaeologists study artifacts and places people lived.
Watch out for
- Thinking history is just a list of facts to memorize.
- Thinking oral histories are less valuable than written ones - they are important evidence.
- Thinking only historians know about the past.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 2 skills
Environment and an Ancient Society
Environment and Ancient Society
How geography shaped an ancient society
I can explain how a geographic feature, such as a river, was essential to an ancient society's development.
Skill 2.1
How environment shaped lifestyle
I can give examples of how the environment shaped an ancient society's lifestyle - clothing, dwellings, and transportation.
Skill 2.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 2.1
- how environment influenced the development of an ancient society
- 2.2
- how environment influenced the development of an ancient society
Key ideas
An ancient society is one that thrived long ago - 'ancient' is not 'primitive'.
Locating a society uses continent, hemisphere, and location.
A key geographic feature (like the Nile River for Nubia) made a place habitable.
Water, good soil, and resources drew people to settle in a place.
Environment influenced how people met their needs and wants.
Watch out for
- Thinking 'ancient' means 'primitive' or 'inferior' - it means long ago.
- Thinking geography didn't matter to where societies grew.
- Thinking lifestyle has nothing to do with environment.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 3 skills
Diverse Societies of First Nations and Inuit
Diverse First Nations and Inuit Societies
Learning diversity through artifacts
I can explain how artifacts and oral traditions help us understand the diversity of First Nations and Inuit societies.
Skill 3.1
Choosing sources about diverse societies
I can select primary and secondary sources that show the diversity of First Nations and Inuit societies.
Skill 3.2
Societies and geographic regions
I can explain how First Nations and Inuit societies developed in relation to their geographic regions and environment.
Skill 3.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 3.1
- diverse societies of First Nations and Inuit, in what later became Canada
- 3.2
- diverse societies of First Nations and Inuit
- 3.3
- societies of First Nations and Inuit, in what later became Canada
Key ideas
There were, and continue to be, many diverse First Nations and Inuit societies.
Artifacts (objects people made and used) tell us about a society.
Oral traditions carry knowledge of how communities lived.
First Nations and Inuit are distinct peoples - Inuit are not First Nations.
A primary source is direct evidence (an artifact, an oral history).
Watch out for
- Thinking all First Nations and Inuit were the same - there was great diversity.
- Grouping Inuit as First Nations - they are distinct peoples.
- Thinking any source is as good as another - some are more direct.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 2 skills
Decision-Making in First Nations and Inuit Societies
How Societies Made Decisions
Social structures in First Nations and Inuit societies
I can describe social structures in First Nations and Inuit societies, including the roles of Elders, leaders, and family.
Skill 4.1
How structure shaped decisions
I can explain how a society's social structure influenced how decisions were made and how power was shared.
Skill 4.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 4.1
- decision-making practices in First Nations and Inuit societies in what later became Atlantic Canada
- 4.2
- decision-making practices in First Nations and Inuit societies
Key ideas
A social structure is how a society organizes its people and roles.
Roles included Elders, leaders, men, women, and community members.
The family and the wider community both had important roles.
Social structures varied among different societies.
Social structures influenced who made decisions and how.
Watch out for
- Thinking these societies had no organization - they had rich social structures.
- Thinking all societies were organized the same way.
- Thinking one person always made all the decisions.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 5 · 4 skills
Interactions Between British, French, and First Nations and Inuit
When Newcomers and First Peoples Met
Why the British and French settled
I can explain reasons why the British and French settled in Atlantic Canada and where they chose to settle.
Skill 5.1
Changing settler societies
I can analyse how the social structures of British and French settlers changed as they adapted to life in Atlantic Canada.
Skill 5.2
Colonial rivalries and the Acadians
I can explain the rivalry between the British and French in Atlantic Canada and how it affected the Acadians.
Skill 5.3
Beneficial and adversarial relationships
I can analyse how relationships between settlers and First Nations and Inuit were both beneficial and harmful.
Skill 5.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 5.1
- interactions between British and French and First Nations and Inuit in what later became Atlantic Canada
- 5.2
- interactions between British and French and First Nations and Inuit
- 5.3
- interactions between British and French
- 5.4
- analyse interactions between British and French and First Nations and Inuit
Key ideas
The British and French came for resources, trade, and land.
They settled near water, resources, and good harbours.
They tried to keep their own lifestyles while adapting to a new place.
The land they came to was already home to First Nations and Inuit.
Settlers tried to keep their old ways but had to adapt to a new environment.
Watch out for
- Thinking the land was empty before settlers arrived.
- Thinking there was only one reason for settlement.
- Thinking settlers' lives stayed exactly as they were in Europe.
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 5.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Social Studies, Grade 5 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 5 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
- 30
- Fillable fields
- 1,195
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Social Studies, Grade 5
What is Social Studies, Grade 5?
Nova Scotia’s Grade 5 social studies course: 5 units and 13 skills, from How We Learn About the Past to Interactions Between British, French, and First Nations and Inuit.
What units are in Social Studies, Grade 5?
1. How We Learn About the Past, 2. Environment and an Ancient Society, 3. Diverse Societies of First Nations and Inuit, 4. Decision-Making in First Nations and Inuit Societies and 5. Interactions Between British, French, and First Nations and Inuit.
Is there a provincial exam for Social Studies, Grade 5?
No. Nova Scotia gives no provincial exam for Social Studies, Grade 5.
What comes after Social Studies, Grade 5?
Social Studies, Grade 6.
Can MapleMind help with Social Studies, Grade 5?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Social Studies, Grade 5, 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 5
Practise every skill of Social Studies, Grade 5 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
