Social studies provides opportunities for students to develop the attitudes, skills and

knowledge that will enable them to become engaged, active, informed and responsible citizens. Recognition and respect for
individual and collective identity is essential in a pluralistic and democratic society. Social studies helps students develop their
sense of self and community, encouraging them to affirm their place as citizens in an inclusive, democratic society.

The Alberta Social Studies Kindergarten to Grade 12 Program of Studies meets the needs and reflects the nature of 21 st century
learners. It has at its heart the concepts of citizenship and identity in the Canadian context. The program reflects multiple
perspectives, including Aboriginal and Francophone, that contribute to Canadas evolving realities. It fosters the building of a
society that is pluralistic, bilingual, multicultural, inclusive and democratic. The program emphasizes the importance of
diversity and respect for differences as well as the need for social cohesion and the effective functioning of society. It promotes
a sense of belonging and acceptance in students as they engage in active and responsible citizenship at the local, community,
provincial, national and global level.

Central to the vision of the Alberta social studies program is the recognition of the diversity of experiences and perspectives and
the pluralistic nature of Canadian society. Pluralism builds upon Canadas historical and constitutional foundations, which reflect
the countrys Aboriginal heritage, bilingual nature and multicultural realities. A pluralistic view recognizes that citizenship and
identity are shaped by multiple factors such as culture, language, environment, gender, ideology, religion, spirituality and
philosophy.

Social studies is the study of people in relation to each other and to their world. It is an issues-focused and inquiry-based
interdisciplinary subject that draws upon history, geography, ecology, economics, law, philosophy, political science and othe r
social science disciplines. Social studies fosters students understanding of and involvement in practical and ethical issues that
face their communities and humankind. Social studies is integral to the process of enabling students to develop an understanding
of who they are, what they want to become and the society in which they want to live.

In social studies 9, students will analyze the relationship between Canadas political and legislative processes and their impact on
issues pertaining to governance, rights, citizenship and identity. Students will also explore issues of economics and their impact
on quality of life, citizenship and identity in Canada and the United States.

Grade 9 students will broaden their understanding and appreciation of the relationships among governance, economics, quality of
life, citizenship and identity. There are two general outcomes in grade 9 social studies:

General Outcome 1: Issues for Canadians Governance and Rights

General Outcome 2: Issues for Canadians Economic Systems in the Canada and the United States

In GO 1 students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how Canadas political processes impact citizenship and
identity in an attempt to meet the needs of all Canadians. In GO 2 Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation
of how economic decision making in Canada and the United States impacts quality of life, citizenship and identity. In order to
allow opportunities for students to engage in current affairs, issues and concerns of a local nature, the program of studies provides
the flexibility to include these topics within the time allotted for social studies.

Assessment and evaluation of students, as explained on the next page of the outline, is going to be different from the old program
of studies. Instead of traditional assessments that largely relied upon memorization and regurgitation of factual content, students
will be given a variety of choices with respect to the way they demonstrate their
understanding of curricular concepts and program outcomes.

Kaitlyn Gamble CHINOOK HIGH SCHOOL

Chinook High School Social Studies 259 Britannia Blvd West
Lethbridge AB, T1J 4A3
kaitlyn.gamble@lethdsd.ab.ca
Phone: 403.320.7565
RESOURCES:

Issues for Canadians , Pat Lychak, Nelson Education, 2009.

chsgamble.weebly.com , Resource website
#katesclass1718 , Class Twitter page

COURSE ASSESSMENT:

You will be assessed and evaluated with evidence of learning in the following areas:

Course Work 80%

Formal Writing Tasks

*at least two argumentative paragraphs
*at least two other writing assignments (i.e. Moodle responses, blog posts etc.)

Summative Exams
*minimum of two formal summative exams that will be framed by the related issues of the curriculum - exams will
include multiple choice and written response questions grounded in the skills and outcomes of the curriculum
*small quizzes may occur between summative exams

Projects and Performance Tasks

*minimum of two project or performance tasks (choice of tasks may frame student learning through: creating a blog,
creating a Vodcast or Podcast, creating a video or documentary, creating a story board or comic strip, creating a photo
essay, writing a poem or song, performing a skit or play, building a diorama or sculpture, create a visual or poster - may
also include some personal written responses posted in Moodle)

*weighting of assessment tasks will be determined the teacher - major summative assessments (listed above)
will be roughly equal in weighting. The following factors will be considered by your teacher when determining
the weight of the project:
# of Curriculum outcomes assessed
Significance of curriculum outcomes assessed
Work effort & time spent on assignment

Final Exam - 20% (PROVINCIAL ACHIEVEMENT EXAM)

POWERSCHOOL:
PowerSchool is an easy and effective way for parents to see student progress at all times. This may include student grades,
attendance, upcoming assignments and much more. Because this technology is available, teachers will not be sending home
intermittent progress reports beyond the regular report cards. We encourage parents to access the PowerSchool program as a
way to stay up to date on their childs progress.

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ASSESSMENT

There will be no surprises - students will be given ample notice with respect to completion dates for tasks and assignments,
and with respect to summative assessments. It is important to meet the deadlines set by your teacher. Missing or delaying the completion
of a task or an assignment may interfere with a students understanding of foundational concepts and therefore hinder their ability to find
success as the course progresses. The re-writing of tests and quizzes should take place as soon as possible (hopefully within one week
of a student returning to class.)

Your teacher will provide you with clear expectations and criteria for success for all learning tasks, assignments and summative
assessments. Your teacher will do their best to provide formative assessment for all tasks and assignments, but it is also the responsibility
of students to ask questions and seek help when something is not clear. Students are encouraged to ask questions about any assessment
provided by the teacher. If you are unclear about something, seek clarification.

Students are expected to do their own work and demonstrate their own learning. Chinook has an Academic Integrity Policy which
clearly outlines the expectations of our school on this matter. It is your responsibility to go to the school website and review the policy
(http://chs.lethsd.ab.ca )

EXRTA HELP

Extra help during the semester is readily available. The Flex Time schedule at Chinook provides ample opportunity for you to
access teacher support outside of class time. Please refer to the Flex Time support schedule to find out when your teacher, or other
teachers within the social studies department, are available. If the scheduled times to not work with your schedule, please talk to
your teacher about alternative arrangements.

ATTENDANCE and LATES

Attendance will be handled according to school policy. School policy states that you must have a parent or guardian call the
school to excuse any non-school related absence. If an absence is not excused a student will be sent to the office to deal with the
unexcused absence. If you come late to a class please enter quietly. Persistent lateness will lead to an attendance contract and
administrative involvement. Chronic attendance problems may lead to withdrawal from the course.

MATERIALS

There are certain things that all students will be expected to bring to class every day. These materials include: pen, pencil,
social studies binder, and appropriate textbooks.

Please do not bring food into the classroom, unless specified by the teacher. Cell phones, laptops and tablets can be very valuable
learning tools in the classroom. However, such devices can also be distractions to the learning process if they are not used
responsibly. If you would like to bring a personal learning device to class please discuss opportunities and expectations with your
teacher.

CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

The high school social studies program is issues-based and therefore we will be engaging with sometimes controversial issues.
Many of these controversial issues and topics are mandated by the program of studies and it is your responsibility to review the program
in order to identify any issues or topics you or your parents may want to be excluded from. A detailed copy of the program of studies can
be found at the website below or it will be posted in Moodle. It is my sincere hope that there will be no need for individuals to remove
themselves from any discussion because dialogue will unfold within the parameters of the basic classroom rules. The discussions will
unfold within the democratic and pluralistic vision of the curriculum and will hopefully serve to support the values and attitude outcomes
laid out within the program.
http://education.alberta.ca/media/773701/soc10_1.pdf
FINAL THOUGHTS

There are a great many historical and modern day facts, figures, and concepts that you will be expected to learn through the
course of you social studies career, but they all pale in comparison to the ultimate goal of creating critically thinking, active and
responsible citizens that are prepared to contribute in a positive way to our Canadian, as well as our global, society good luck and have
fun! Remember, you get out of your education only as much as you put into it. You chose your attitude!

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 THE COYOTE CHARACTER: CLASSROOM VALUES
You will be a student much longer than you will be a high schooler.
The values identified below should guide the behaviours students at Chinook High School.
They are encouraged to live by these values in school, in the community and at home.
A Coyote values:
Accountability
You take responsibility for your actions
You accept consequences for your actions
Empathy
You understand the perspective of others
You control your emotions
You understand & accept all members of our
learning community
Positive Attitude
You are enthusiastic and encouraging
You are positive (words, body language, and
actions)
Teamwork
You understand and accept others
You use praise, encouragement and constructive
criticism
You are willing to work with others during group
activities
Teachability
You are a good listener
You want to learn & improve
You value feedback (you appreciate advice and
suggestions on how to improve)
Passion
You approach learning with emotion & excitement
You celebrate your success & the success of others
Should you conduct yourself according to these values, your success will take care of itself.
Work Ethic & Effort
You are on time
You are prepared
You follow directions
You embrace critical & creative thinking
Humility
You share credit
You help others be successful
You help build a positive learning environment
Perseverance
You embrace challenges & view struggle as an
opportunity
You dont allow adversity to immobilize you
You find ways to approach & conquer your fears
Integrity
You do what is right, not what you want
You respect school staff (teachers, admin,
educational assistance, custodians, office staff)
You model the expected behaviour (You behave the
way you want others to behave)
You have credibility (people trust you)
You do not compromise your values (you do not go
against what you believe)
Your actions reflect your beliefs
You respect your learning environment
Commitment
You attend class
You desire to improve your learning experience
Inherent in all of this is the commitment to
value yourself and your education
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Throughout the social studies 9 course students will be engaged with a key issue that is interconnected to four related issue
questions. There is one key outcome that students will work towards, again, with four general outcomes guiding their
journey. Within each related issue there are specific outcomes that reflect important values and attitudes, including
knowledge and understanding outcomes.

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