Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 2 Social Studies
Grade 2 Social Studies exploring changing family traditions, communities past and present, and how people and places change over time. Children deepen their understanding of heritage and belonging.
Heritage and Identity: Changing Family and Community Traditions
Children explore how traditions and celebrations change over time and how they contribute to a sense of identity and community belonging.
Children compare traditions from long ago with traditions practised today, discovering that some traditions stay the same while others change.
Children learn that as new people arrive in Canada, they bring new traditions that enrich the country's culture and create new celebrations.
Children reflect on why traditions are important to families and how they help people feel connected across generations.
Students learn about the importance of oral storytelling and traditional knowledge in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families.
People and Environments: Global Communities
Students investigate how people live in different parts of the world and how the environment influences their lifestyle and choices.
An introduction to maps and globes, identifying continents, oceans, and the location of Canada in relation to other countries.
Exploring how different climates around the world affect what people wear, what they eat, and the types of houses they build.
Investigating how people move and communicate in different environments, from snowy tundras to busy tropical cities.
Developing an appreciation for the diverse ways people live and the importance of respecting cultural differences globally.
Our Community Past and Present
Students investigate the history of their local community and how it has evolved over time through technology and migration.
Children use photographs, stories, and artefacts to learn what their community looked like before they were born.
Children explore the reasons communities change, including new buildings, new people arriving, and changes in technology.
Children learn about the people who helped build and shape their community, including Indigenous peoples and early settlers.
Comparing the jobs people did and the tools they used in the past versus the modern workplace.
Creating a visual representation of key events that shaped the local community over the last century.
Global Celebrations and Cultural Identity
A deeper look at how celebrations around the world reflect cultural values and bring diverse groups of people together.
Exploring major celebrations including Canada Day, National Indigenous Peoples Day, and cultural festivals.
Learning about global celebrations such as Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Eid, and how they are observed in Canada.
Examining the specific symbols, foods, and clothing that make celebrations unique and meaningful.
Our Responsibility to the World
Students explore their role as global and local citizens, focusing on environmental stewardship and community kindness.
Learning about the people who keep our community safe, healthy, and organized.
Discovering ways to help the natural environment, from recycling to protecting local parks and water.
Exploring acts of kindness and the importance of welcoming newcomers to the community.
Comparing how people live and work in the city versus the country, and how they depend on each other.