Parents as Coaches: What to Expect for your Child
Transition from grade 6 to 7
The Alberta Social Studies curriculum’s main focus is to promote responsible citizenship at all and any age group. In grade six, students are asked to broaden their horizons on identity, the role of democracy, and engaged citizenship. Moreover, the students will be asked to explore the role of government to affect change in every day communities. The purpose of this is to broaden the horizons of the learner, as well as create an understanding of everyday society for every grade six student. According to the Alberta government students “are asked to explore how democratic principles and ideals are reflected in the structure and functions of their local and provincial governments. Students will examine how ancient Athens and the Iroquois Confederacy have influenced Canada’s democratic processes” (pg 20, http://education.alberta.ca/media/445766/pub6.pdf). By exploring both past and present government and societal order, the students are asked to gain a deeper understanding of government order and how past and present societies influence one another in a Canadian context. However, the transition from grade six to seven can be a difficult move for any type of student. As parents, there are many things you should be aware of to help your child benefit from the learning process, as well as become successful and responsible citizens.
Much like grade six, the students in grade seven are asked to become responsible and active citizens in a Canadian context. By exploring the past and the present, the students will be asked to critically assess and analyze the society we live in today. Grade seven is a more analytical and challenging level of learning than grade six. Because of this, it is important that parents are actively engaged in their children’s learning and education. First off, it is immensely important to be positive and encouraging towards the learner. The main point of this is to not only encourage a positive self-image and self-esteem, but also encourage the growth of the student’s self-efficacy. Next, make sure you discuss with your child, every day, about their schoolwork and what they had learned. Furthermore, it is proven that students learn more and the knowledge is engrained more thoroughly when the information learned in school is connected with everyday life. If parents tell stories and become actively engaged in the student’s education, the child will prosper academically. However, probably one of the most important things a parent can do for their child is to keep in touch with your child’s teacher about everything. Not just the bad behaviors or missed class time, but about the students accomplishment as and positive transitions.
In grade seven, the overview of the curriculum is on the events preceding and following the confederation of Canada in 1867. These heritage based lessons focus on how Canada was formed, and how it became the bilingual, pluralistic, and multicultural society it is today. The students will be asked to gain an understanding and appreciation of the distinct roles of the aboriginal, francophone, and Anglophone people in the foundations of Canada. One of the main differences between grade six and seven is that students are asked to critically assess and analyze, compare and contrast, societies, economies, and social structures of both pre and post-confederate Canada. The grade seven program of studies has distinct expectations for the students to reach under the category of “Dimensions of Thinking”. These four categories include critical and creative thinking to determine the validity and reliability of information based on context, bias, source, objectivity, and evidence to broaden understanding. Furthermore, there are expected outcomes in historical thinking, geographic thinking, and problem solving; to be able to become social participants in the democratic process. Grade seven focuses on the heritage of Canada, how it was formed, and how this connects to the democratic and responsible society we live in today. As future grade seven students, it is important to keep an open mind, embrace the learning and connect everyday knowledge with the academic process of the classroom.
Some resources that may be of help to Parents of Students include:
Parent handbook for grade 6- http://education.alberta.ca/media/445766/pub6.pdf
Alberta Program of Studies- http://www.learnalberta.ca/ProgramOfStudy.aspx?lang=en&ProgramId=564423#999963
Good luck to both the parents and the future students!
Alberta Education Coordinator for FACTSnet
Lindsay Spence
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