Parents as Coaches: What to Expect for your Child
Transition from grade 7 to 8
. The Alberta Social Studies curriculum’s main focus is to promote responsible citizenship at all and any age group. In grade seven, students are asked to broaden their horizons on identity, the role of past societies in present contexts, and engaged citizenship. Moreover, the students will be asked to explore both pre and post-confederate Canada and how Canada became the bilingual, pluralistic, and multicultural society it is today. The students are asked to gain an understanding and appreciation of the distinct roles of the aboriginal, francophone, and Anglophone people in the foundations of Canada. According to the Alberta government, “Grade 7 students are asked to explore the origins, histories and movement of peoples who forged the foundations of Canadian Confederation. They examine how the political, demographic, economic and social changes that have occurred since Confederation have influenced ways in which contemporary Canada has evolved. Students are asked to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the distinct roles of, and the relationships among, the Aboriginal, French and British peoples in forging the foundations of Canadian Confederation” (pg. 22, http://education.alberta.ca/media/445769/pub7.pdf ). By exploring both past and present government and societal order, the students are asked to gain a deeper understanding of how past and present societies influence one another in a Canadian context. However, the transition from grade seven to eight 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 seven, the students in grade eight 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 eight is an even more analytical and challenging level of learning than grade seven. 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 behaviours or missed class time, but about the student's accomplishments and positive transitions.
In grade eight, the overview of the curriculum is based on issues related to contact between societies with differing world views. Furthermore, the students will be asked to analyze the lives of citizens living in different times and different places. Through this, Students will reflect on their own worldviews and assess the influences of the past and present. The grade eight curriculum focuses on three different cultures throughout history. Firstly, on Japan, which FACTSnet Alberta is striving to integrate more thoroughly into Alberta schools.see Alberta/Japan Network The Alberta Program of studies asks/expects thorough understanding of nine different questions dealing with Japanese culture, isolationism of the Edo period, and ideological beliefs of the Meiji era. With Japanese culture being integrated so clearly into present Canadian Society, FACTSnet strives to make more engaging and active integration of Japanese knowledge, and push away from the Euro-centric style of teaching that has often been taught in school. By examining Japan, Students will be asked to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of different life values, knowledge and beliefs of worldviews, adding to their roles as responsible and active citizens. Moreover, students will appreciate these values and world views in understanding Japans isolation and adaptation at that time period.
After Japan, the Alberta Social Studies curriculum will focus on Renaissance Europe. Here, students will be asked to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how the exchange of ideas and knowledge attributed to shaping the worldview of the western world. Finally, students will explore the Spanish and Aztec societies. Here, the students will be asked to explore and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how intercultural contact can affect the worldview of societies in a present context as well as how cultural differences can insight conflict and intercultural disputes. Overall, the overview of the grade eight Social Studies curriculum is to analyze how intercultural contact between societies leads to significant change and alters society’s worldview.
After Japan, the Alberta Social Studies curriculum will focus on Renaissance Europe. Here, students will be asked to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how the exchange of ideas and knowledge attributed to shaping the worldview of the western world. Finally, students will explore the Spanish and Aztec societies. Here, the students will be asked to explore and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how intercultural contact can affect the worldview of societies in a present context as well as how cultural differences can insight conflict and intercultural disputes. Overall, the overview of the grade eight Social Studies curriculum is to analyze how intercultural contact between societies leads to significant change and alters society’s worldview.
The grade eight 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 and conflict resolution. Grade eight focuses on the context of differing worldviews, how these views are expressed in different times and different places, and how this connects to the democratic and responsible society we live in today. As future grade eight 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:
FACTSnet Alberta/Japan network: http://abssgr8.blogspot.ca/
Parent handbook for grade 7- http://education.alberta.ca/media/445769/pub7.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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