mrpolsky

Grade 5 Social Studies Alberta Resouces

It is important to know what is going on in the world. I know it sounds shocking but there’s a world outside of SportsCenter & ESPN... say whaaaat??. Things that happen across the world can affect us here, just like what happens here in Canada has consequences in other places.


                  Now, get off Instagram, stop playing your PS5 (for a second) and plug in to what’s going on.

If you ever plan to go traveling it is important to know where you are going. If you don’t know where Europe is, or where the Indian Ocean is, it makes it kind of hard to travel there. Staying closer to home though, it’s also important to know the provinces and territories in Canada. Can you name them all?

Have you ever looked at a map of Canada? It’s a huge country! We are the second biggest country in the whole world!! From the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east, to the Arctic Ocean in the north, there are lots of different regions and environments. These regions, make Canada one of the most interesting places in the world. Check it out!

Click on a region for more information

Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Region

Lower St. Lawrence | Overview

Cordillera Region

British Columbia | Yukon

The story of Canada is rich in detail, story and culture. From the voyageurs to the Aboriginal People and First Nations, from the British and French Empires to the United Empire Loyalists, the creation and development of our nation is a fascinating story which we will be learning about this year. Get in the time machine!

Canadian Confederation was the process in which the Dominion of Canada was created on July 1, 1867. Four British colonies joined together to create this Dominion of Canada. Canada East became Quebec, Canada West became Ontario and they were joined by New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. These four provinces formed the foundation of our country - Canada was born.


Canada steadily grew in size, with more and more provinces joining the country and in 1871, British Columbia agreed to join Canada. There was one condition though - build a railroad that would connect the West Coast to the East Coast. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad connected Canada together and allowed immigrants to settle across the vast country.

Sir John A. Macdonald

Canada’s First Prime Minister

“Father of Confederation”

As the railroad spread across the country, settlers and homesteaders went with it. Towns and villages began to appear all across the open prairies. People came from all over the world to enjoy the opportunity to start a new life, with large pieces of land and the freedom of the Canadian west.

The North West Mounted Police, created in 1873 by Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, was formed to bring law and order to the West and to establish relationships with the First Nations. They were sent West to deal with the criminals and whiskey traders that were taking advantage of the people and the land. The NWMP was Canada’s first national police force and exists today as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. These Mounties brought law and order to Canada’s new western territories.

As the decades past, more and more people chose to come to Canada and make a life here. Canada was growing up and the world was changing too. With World War I (1914-1918) and then World War II (1939-1945), what it meant to be Canadian went through some major changes. Students will be learning about the impacts of the two wars, the Great Depression, the Famous Five and effects of a growing patriotism across Canada.

Canadian Expeditionary Force

World War I

Calgary Highlanders

World War II

Royal Canadian Artillery

World War II

Kings Own Calgary Regiment

World War II

World War I and World War II saw young men from Calgary volunteer to serve their country overseas. The emblems above are the regiments in which many of them would have served.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War, CBC Radio’s Beza Seife narrates The Bugle and the Passing Bell. The voices and stories of those who fought in World War One are brought back to life in this 10 part series.

Warning: Some of the content may be disturbing in nature. Parental discretion is advised.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Take a minute (or 59 minutes) to watch this amazing documentary about Canada. It has incredible shots of the amazing cities and landscapes in our country.

Voices of Canada

People, Places and Possibilities

Chapter 1 - Exploring Canada

Chapter 2 - Atlantic Region

Chapter 6 - Cordillera Region

Chapter 7 - Arctic Region

Chapter 8 - Building Canada

Chapter 11 - We Are a Country

Chapter 12 - Caring for Canada



A video series of 52 stories focused on the stories of Canada's newcomers and immigrants, exploring their histories, struggles and determination.

Click here to view Playlist

The Growth of Canada's Map | The Canada Time Series

Canada through the 1700s  |  Canada through the 1800s |  Canada through the 1900s

"What's in a Name?" Project

Use the following sites to research how different towns or cities in Alberta and Canada got their names.


What is this Canadian city named after?  |  Canadian Encyclopedia: Cities, Towns & Populated Place

How Canadian Provinces/Territories/Cities Got their Names  |  Place Names in Canada of Indigenous Origin

Pier 21: Culture Trunks

Irene Parlby

1868-1965

Emily Murphy

1868-1933

Learn more about how 5 Canadian women stood up for what they believed in and changed the country forever.