Nova Scotia · Grade 8
Social Studies, Grade 8
Nova Scotia’s Grade 8 social studies course, from 20th and 21st Century Indigenous Experiences in Canada to Advocacy Action.
- Units
- 6
- Lessons
- 12
- Skills
- 24
- 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 · 4 skills
20th and 21st Century Indigenous Experiences in Canada
Indigenous Diversity and Assimilation Policy
Diversity within Indigenous communities
I can investigate and describe the diversity of Indigenous peoples, nations, languages, and cultures across Canada.
Skill 1.1
Assimilation policies and the Indian Act
I can investigate why the government pursued assimilation through the Indian Act and how it impacted Indigenous cultures.
Skill 1.2
Residential Schools and Indigenous Advocacy
The impact of residential schools
I can reflect on why the residential school system was created and how it has impacted, and continues to impact, Indigenous peoples.
Skill 1.3
Indigenous advocacy and reconciliation
I can analyse how Indigenous peoples have advocated for their rights, including through the constitution and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Skill 1.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 1.1
- reflect on 20th and 21st century Indigenous experiences in Canada
- 1.2
- 20th and 21st century Indigenous experiences in Canada
- 1.3
- reflect on 20th and 21st century Indigenous experiences in Canada
- 1.4
- Indigenous experiences in Canada
Key ideas
Indigenous peoples in Canada are diverse - many nations, languages, and cultures.
The residential school system was part of assimilation policy.
First Nations, Inuit, and Metis are distinct Indigenous peoples.
It took Indigenous children from their families, languages, and cultures.
Understanding this diversity avoids treating all Indigenous peoples as one group.
Watch out for
- Thinking all Indigenous peoples are the same.
- Thinking residential schools were ordinary schools.
- Grouping First Nations, Inuit, and Metis as one people.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 4 skills
Equity and Inequity in a Changing Canadian Society
Factors of Equity and Experiences of Resistance
Factors that influence equity and inequity
I can analyse the factors that make Canadian society more or less equitable for different groups.
Skill 2.1
Experiences of inequity and resistance
I can investigate experiences of inequity and how people resisted, from various perspectives.
Skill 2.2
First Voice and Social Justice Movements
The impact of first voice
I can explain how first-voice sources lead to a deeper, informed understanding of equity and inequity.
Skill 2.3
The impact of social justice movements
I can evaluate how social justice movements have contributed to a more equitable Canadian society.
Skill 2.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 2.1
- evaluate the impact of equity and inequity in a changing Canadian society
- 2.2
- impact of equity and inequity in a changing Canadian society
- 2.3
- equity and inequity in a changing Canadian society
- 2.4
- impact of equity and inequity in a changing Canadian society
Key ideas
Equity means fairness; inequity means unfairness.
First voice is hearing directly from the person who lived an experience.
Various factors influence whether groups are treated equitably.
First voice and primary sources give an informed understanding.
Some groups experience inequity and inequality more than others.
Watch out for
- Thinking everyone in Canada has always been treated equally.
- Thinking any source is as good as a first-voice account.
- Thinking equity and equality mean exactly the same thing.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 4 skills
Responses to Change in Canadian Society
Technological and Environmental Change
Technological advances and change
I can analyse how technological advances have changed Canadian society and my own life.
Skill 3.1
Environmental factors and Netukulimk
I can analyse how environmental factors are changing Canadian society and how Netukulimk can guide my decisions.
Skill 3.2
Societal Factors and Innovation
Societal factors and change
I can question how societal factors like immigration, the labour market, and cultural trends are changing Canada.
Skill 3.3
Innovation and entrepreneurship in the economy
I can investigate how innovation and entrepreneurship shape the Canadian economy.
Skill 3.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 3.1
- formulate responses to change in Canadian society
- 3.2
- responses to change in Canadian society
- 3.3
- responses to change in Canadian society
- 3.4
- change in Canadian society
Key ideas
Technological change has reshaped Canadian society.
Societal factors include immigration, work, and cultural trends.
An event, idea, or issue can be a catalyst for technological change.
Immigration shapes and enriches Canadian society.
Technology provides opportunities but also brings challenges.
Watch out for
- Thinking technology only makes life easier with no downsides.
- Thinking Canadian society stays the same.
- Thinking technology doesn't shape society.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 4 skills
Conflicts and Canadian Society
Origins and Impacts of Conflicts
The origins of conflicts
I can analyse the economic, political, and perspective-based origins of conflicts in Canadian society.
Skill 4.1
The impacts of conflicts on society
I can investigate how various conflicts have impacted and changed Canadian society.
Skill 4.2
Reconciliation and the Role of Media
The role of reconciliation
I can investigate what reconciliation is and how it works to address conflict and redress past wrongs in Canada.
Skill 4.3
The role of media in understanding conflict
I can investigate how media and journalism shape the way we understand a conflict.
Skill 4.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 4.1
- evaluate how various conflicts have impacted Canadian society
- 4.2
- how various conflicts have impacted Canadian society
- 4.3
- conflicts have impacted Canadian society
- 4.4
- various conflicts have impacted Canadian society
Key ideas
Conflicts have origins - they start for reasons.
Reconciliation means working to repair harm and restore relationships.
Economic factors can lead to conflict.
Canadians can redress (make right) past wrongs.
Political factors and differing perspectives can lead to conflict.
Watch out for
- Thinking conflicts have a single simple cause.
- Thinking reconciliation is just an apology.
- Thinking one perspective explains a whole conflict.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 5 · 4 skills
Impact of World War II on Canadian Society
Canada's Contributions and Impacts on Groups
Canada's contributions to World War II
I can investigate Canada's material and human contributions during World War II.
Skill 5.1
Impacts of World War II on various groups
I can analyse how World War II affected various groups in Canada, including women, Indigenous peoples, and African Canadians.
Skill 5.2
The Holocaust and Human Rights
The impact of the Holocaust on Canadian attitudes
I can question how the Holocaust and Canada's response revealed and later changed Canadian attitudes towards human rights.
Skill 5.3
The impact of WWII on civil and human rights
I can analyse how World War II became a catalyst for advances in civil and human rights in Canada.
Skill 5.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 5.1
- evaluate the impact of World War II on a changing Canadian society
- 5.2
- impact of World War II on a changing Canadian society
- 5.3
- impact of World War II on a changing Canadian society
- 5.4
- impact of World War II on a changing Canadian society
Key ideas
Canada contributed both people (human) and supplies (material) to WWII.
The Holocaust was the systematic murder of millions, including six million Jewish people.
Canadians served on the home and fighting fronts.
Canada's reaction to the Evian Conference (1938) reflected attitudes of the time.
The war had economic consequences for Canada.
Watch out for
- Thinking only soldiers contributed to the war.
- Thinking Canada always welcomed refugees during the war.
- Thinking the war had no economic impact on Canada.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 6 · 4 skills
Advocacy Action
Forms of Advocacy and Causes of an Issue
Forms of advocacy
I can investigate different forms of advocacy and explain how to choose one appropriate to an issue.
Skill 6.1
The causes of a current issue
I can investigate the causes of a current issue in a community, considering different perspectives.
Skill 6.2
Impacts of an Issue and Effective Advocacy
The impacts of a current issue
I can analyse how a current issue impacts various groups in a community, including over time.
Skill 6.3
Evaluating the effectiveness of advocacy
I can evaluate what makes advocacy effective and plan an advocacy action in response to an issue.
Skill 6.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 6.1
- plan an advocacy action in response to an issue
- 6.2
- advocacy action in response to an issue
- 6.3
- plan an advocacy action in response to an issue
- 6.4
- plan an advocacy action in response to an issue
Key ideas
Advocacy is taking action to support a cause or address an issue.
An issue impacts different groups in different ways.
Advocacy can take many forms (petitions, campaigns, letters, art).
Impacts can change over time.
Advocacy action has helped address issues in Canada.
Watch out for
- Thinking advocacy is only protest.
- Thinking an issue affects everyone the same way.
- Thinking any form of advocacy fits any issue.
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 8.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Social Studies, Grade 8 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 8 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
- 34
- Fillable fields
- 1,421
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Social Studies, Grade 8
What is Social Studies, Grade 8?
Nova Scotia’s Grade 8 social studies course: 6 units and 24 skills, from 20th and 21st Century Indigenous Experiences in Canada to Advocacy Action.
What units are in Social Studies, Grade 8?
1. 20th and 21st Century Indigenous Experiences in Canada, 2. Equity and Inequity in a Changing Canadian Society, 3. Responses to Change in Canadian Society, 4. Conflicts and Canadian Society, 5. Impact of World War II on Canadian Society and 6. Advocacy Action.
Is there a provincial exam for Social Studies, Grade 8?
No. Nova Scotia gives no provincial exam for Social Studies, Grade 8.
What comes after Social Studies, Grade 8?
Citizenship 9.
Can MapleMind help with Social Studies, Grade 8?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Social Studies, Grade 8, 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 8
Practise every skill of Social Studies, Grade 8 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
