Revised Social Science and History Ontario Elementary Curriculum (Released June 7th, 2013)
On June 7th, 2013, the Ontario Ministry of Education released the revised elementary curriculum for Social Studies and History. Canada's Parliamentary democracy and Canadian Crown were included in the new document for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Grade 6: Social Studies:
Overall Expectations:
A1. Application: Diversity, Inclusiveness, and Canadian Identity:
A1.2 evaluate some of the contributions that various ethnic and/or religious groups have made to Canadian identity (e.g., the contributions of First Nations to Canadian art, of French and English communities to the development of Canada as a bilingual country, of the British to the Canadian parliamentary system, of Chinese labourers to the construction of the transcontinental railway, of Irish and Italian workers to the development of canal systems on the Great Lakes, of various communities to Canada’s multicultural identity)
Sample questions: “Who are the founding nations of Canada? For whom is the concept of ‘founding nations’ troubling? Why?” “In what ways is the Canadian system of government similar to that of Great Britain? What accounts for the similarities? Do you think Canada’s status as a constitutional monarchy is important to our identity as Canadians? Why or why not?” “In what ways have South Asians or East Asians contributed to Canada and Canadian identity?”
A3. Understanding Context: The Development of Communities in Canada:
A3.8 identify and describe fundamental elements of Canadian identity (e.g., inclusiveness, respect for human rights, respect for diversity, multiculturalism, parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy, bilingualism, the recognition of three founding nations, universal health care)
Sample questions: “In what ways are Queen Elizabeth II and the monarchy connected to Canada and Canadian identity?” “What are some of the rights guaranteed by the Charter of Rights?” “When you consider the various elements of Canadian identity, how would you rank them in order of importance to Canadians? What criteria would you use?” “What are some instances of the Canadian government not respecting the human rights of a group of people?”
The following definitions have been placed in the glossary:
constitutional monarchy.* A form of government in which executive (Crown) powers are exercised by or on behalf of the sovereign and on the basis of ministerial advice. Canada is a constitutional monarchy.
governor general.* The personal representative of the Queen, who acts on her behalf in performing certain duties and responsibilities in the federal jurisdiction. [The governor general is the official representative of the Queen in Canada; No entry for lieutenant governor]
executive branch.* The branch of government that carries out the law: the cabinet and ruling government that sit in the elected chamber (House of Commons/Legislature). Also referred to as “the Queen in Council”. See also branches of government; judicial branch; legislative branch.
legislative branch.* The branch of government that makes the laws – the Parliament of Canada and provincial and territorial legislatures. Also referred to as “the Queen in Parliament”. See also branches of government; executive branch; judicial branch.
legislature.* The federal legislature (Parliament of Canada) consists of the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Commons. The provincial legislatures consist of the lieutenant governor and the elected house. See also parliament.
parliament. An assembly responsible for, among other things, passing legislation and granting the right to levy taxes. The Parliament of Canada consists of an appointed governor general (who represents the monarch); the Senate, whose members are appointed; and the House of Commons, whose members are elected. See also legislature. [while the definition for legislature is correct - even when it cites Parliament - this one remains incorrect]
parliamentary democracy.* A British system of government in which the executive (prime minister/premier and cabinet) sit in the elected chamber (House of Commons/Legislature) and are accountable to the elected representatives of the people. Canada is a parliamentary democracy.
prime minister. The head of the government in a parliamentary democracy, including Canada. The prime minister is the leader of the party that is in power and that normally has the largest number of the seats in the House of Commons.
responsible government.* A government that is responsible to the people, based on the principle that governments must be responsible to the representatives of the people. Responsible government was a key demand in the British North American colonies in the early nineteenth century.
Royal Proclamation of 1763. Issued to establish the boundaries of and administration in British North America following the Seven Years’ War, when New France and other French territory was ceded to Britain. It established the constitutional framework for the negotiation of treaties with the Aboriginal inhabitants of large sections of Canada. It also promoted the assimilation of the French in Quebec.
The definitions of terms marked with an asterisk (*) are reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2012. Courtesy of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
While aspects of Canada's parliamentary democracy have been inserted into the curriculum, they have been done so for Grade Six under the heading "Heritage and Identity; Communities in Canada, Past and Present." The Grade Five curriculum - where government is traditionally covered in elementary school - has been changed to "The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship" and focuses on specific issues related to being a citizen in Canada (How do we reduce child poverty in Canada? How do we regulate industry? How do you find material informing you about NGOs in your area?).
The old expectations about learning about symbols and civic buildings have been removed. As well, no mention of the structure of government and/or the roles played by its members are made (some offices are included in the glossary - notably the lieutenant governor is not, and Parliament's definition is still wrong - but are not required learning by our students).
Grade 6: Social Studies:
Overall Expectations:
A1. Application: Diversity, Inclusiveness, and Canadian Identity:
A1.2 evaluate some of the contributions that various ethnic and/or religious groups have made to Canadian identity (e.g., the contributions of First Nations to Canadian art, of French and English communities to the development of Canada as a bilingual country, of the British to the Canadian parliamentary system, of Chinese labourers to the construction of the transcontinental railway, of Irish and Italian workers to the development of canal systems on the Great Lakes, of various communities to Canada’s multicultural identity)
Sample questions: “Who are the founding nations of Canada? For whom is the concept of ‘founding nations’ troubling? Why?” “In what ways is the Canadian system of government similar to that of Great Britain? What accounts for the similarities? Do you think Canada’s status as a constitutional monarchy is important to our identity as Canadians? Why or why not?” “In what ways have South Asians or East Asians contributed to Canada and Canadian identity?”
A3. Understanding Context: The Development of Communities in Canada:
A3.8 identify and describe fundamental elements of Canadian identity (e.g., inclusiveness, respect for human rights, respect for diversity, multiculturalism, parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy, bilingualism, the recognition of three founding nations, universal health care)
Sample questions: “In what ways are Queen Elizabeth II and the monarchy connected to Canada and Canadian identity?” “What are some of the rights guaranteed by the Charter of Rights?” “When you consider the various elements of Canadian identity, how would you rank them in order of importance to Canadians? What criteria would you use?” “What are some instances of the Canadian government not respecting the human rights of a group of people?”
The following definitions have been placed in the glossary:
constitutional monarchy.* A form of government in which executive (Crown) powers are exercised by or on behalf of the sovereign and on the basis of ministerial advice. Canada is a constitutional monarchy.
governor general.* The personal representative of the Queen, who acts on her behalf in performing certain duties and responsibilities in the federal jurisdiction. [The governor general is the official representative of the Queen in Canada; No entry for lieutenant governor]
executive branch.* The branch of government that carries out the law: the cabinet and ruling government that sit in the elected chamber (House of Commons/Legislature). Also referred to as “the Queen in Council”. See also branches of government; judicial branch; legislative branch.
legislative branch.* The branch of government that makes the laws – the Parliament of Canada and provincial and territorial legislatures. Also referred to as “the Queen in Parliament”. See also branches of government; executive branch; judicial branch.
legislature.* The federal legislature (Parliament of Canada) consists of the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Commons. The provincial legislatures consist of the lieutenant governor and the elected house. See also parliament.
parliament. An assembly responsible for, among other things, passing legislation and granting the right to levy taxes. The Parliament of Canada consists of an appointed governor general (who represents the monarch); the Senate, whose members are appointed; and the House of Commons, whose members are elected. See also legislature. [while the definition for legislature is correct - even when it cites Parliament - this one remains incorrect]
parliamentary democracy.* A British system of government in which the executive (prime minister/premier and cabinet) sit in the elected chamber (House of Commons/Legislature) and are accountable to the elected representatives of the people. Canada is a parliamentary democracy.
prime minister. The head of the government in a parliamentary democracy, including Canada. The prime minister is the leader of the party that is in power and that normally has the largest number of the seats in the House of Commons.
responsible government.* A government that is responsible to the people, based on the principle that governments must be responsible to the representatives of the people. Responsible government was a key demand in the British North American colonies in the early nineteenth century.
Royal Proclamation of 1763. Issued to establish the boundaries of and administration in British North America following the Seven Years’ War, when New France and other French territory was ceded to Britain. It established the constitutional framework for the negotiation of treaties with the Aboriginal inhabitants of large sections of Canada. It also promoted the assimilation of the French in Quebec.
The definitions of terms marked with an asterisk (*) are reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2012. Courtesy of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
While aspects of Canada's parliamentary democracy have been inserted into the curriculum, they have been done so for Grade Six under the heading "Heritage and Identity; Communities in Canada, Past and Present." The Grade Five curriculum - where government is traditionally covered in elementary school - has been changed to "The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship" and focuses on specific issues related to being a citizen in Canada (How do we reduce child poverty in Canada? How do we regulate industry? How do you find material informing you about NGOs in your area?).
The old expectations about learning about symbols and civic buildings have been removed. As well, no mention of the structure of government and/or the roles played by its members are made (some offices are included in the glossary - notably the lieutenant governor is not, and Parliament's definition is still wrong - but are not required learning by our students).
Read the Curriculum document here:
| curriculum_2013.pdf |