Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 4 Social Studies
Grade 4 Social Studies exploring the political and physical regions of Canada, levels of government, and the heritage and identity of early societies.
Political Regions of Canada
Students explore how Canada is organized politically, identifying provinces, territories, and the significance of borders and capitals.
Students learn the names, locations, and capitals of Canada's ten provinces and three territories, distinguishing between these two types of political entities.
Exploring how each province and territory has a unique identity shaped by its people, culture, and symbols like flags and tartans.
An introduction to Canada's official languages and the historical reasons for the presence of French and English across the country.
Students learn about traditional Indigenous territories and the concept of Land Acknowledgements in a modern political context.
Investigating the meaning behind Canadian symbols such as the maple leaf, the beaver, and the coat of arms.
Physical Regions of Canada
A study of the natural environment, focusing on landform regions, climate zones, and the impact of geography on human settlement.
Identifying the six major landform regions of Canada, from the rugged Canadian Shield to the flat Interior Plains.
Examining how latitude and physical features create different climate zones and influence what plants grow across Canada.
Learning about the Great Lakes, major river systems, and the three oceans that border Canada.
Identifying renewable and non-renewable resources and their economic importance to different Canadian regions.
Discussing the impact of human activity on the environment and how different communities protect their natural regions.
Government and Citizenship
Understanding how decisions are made in Canada through the three levels of government and the role of the citizen.
Distinguishing between Federal, Provincial/Territorial, and Municipal responsibilities.
Learning about Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), and local Councillors.
A simplified look at the legislative process, from an idea to a bill to a law.
Exploring the democratic process, the secret ballot, and why every vote matters.
An introduction to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governance structures and their relationship with the Canadian government.
Early Societies (3000 BCE – 1500 CE)
Comparing the social structures, daily life, and environments of various early societies around the world.
How the physical environment shaped where early societies started and how they lived.
Comparing the roles of men, women, and children in different early civilizations.
Exploring the religions, myths, and cultural practices that were central to early societies.
Looking at early technologies like the wheel, irrigation, and writing systems.
Early Societies in North America
A focused look at the diverse Indigenous nations in North America before European contact.
Comparing the social structures and lifestyles of the agricultural Haudenosaunee and the semi-nomadic Anishinaabe.
Exploring the unique adaptations and technologies developed by the Inuit to thrive in the Arctic.
Examining the vast trade networks that existed across North America before European arrival.
The importance of storytelling, wampum belts, and elder knowledge in preserving history.
Mapping and Inquiry Skills
Developing the tools social scientists use to investigate the world, from map-making to analyzing primary sources.
Mastering the use of legends, scales, and compass roses on different types of maps.
Using the compass rose to describe relative locations and navigate maps effectively.
Learning to look at artifacts, old photos, and letters to understand the past.
Formulating questions, gathering data, and drawing conclusions about social studies topics.
Exploring how Canada is connected to the rest of the world through trade, travel, and the environment.