Grade 1 Social Studies

Course Overview

Grade 1 Social Studies helps students develop an early understanding of themselves, their relationships, and the communities in which they live. Through guided exploration, learners begin recognizing how people, environments, and responsibilities are interconnected.

Students expand their perspective beyond the home as they investigate local communities, examine natural and built features, and learn how spaces are organized to support daily life. Early mapping skills introduce students to spatial awareness while encouraging curiosity about the world around them.

Important Information

• Elementary courses do not require prerequisites
• Ontario elementary programs do not issue transcript credits
• Facilitated and independent learning pathways are available

What Students Will Develop

Throughout the course, students build foundational knowledge while strengthening social awareness and inquiry skills.

Students will:

• Explore roles, relationships, and responsibilities in everyday life
• Develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging
• Understand why respect and inclusion are essential within communities
• Investigate how communities function and provide services
• Identify natural and human made features within local environments
• Build early mapping and spatial awareness skills
• Ask questions and gather information through guided inquiry

These experiences support the development of empathy, awareness, and responsible citizenship.

Course Structure

The program is organized into meaningful learning units that connect personal experiences with broader community understanding.

Our Changing Roles and Responsibilities

Students explore how roles and responsibilities can evolve depending on circumstances and life experiences. They reflect on their own responsibilities while learning how relationships contribute to a person’s sense of self.

Through inquiry based activities, students examine fairness, respect, and inclusion, developing an understanding that every individual deserves to be valued regardless of their role within a community.

The Local Community

Students investigate the relationship between people and their surroundings by examining both natural and constructed features within their community. They learn how services support daily needs and explore how communities are designed to function effectively.

Using guided inquiry, learners consider how environments influence the way people live while identifying important places and features within their own community. Concepts of location and distance help students begin developing spatial understanding.

Learning Resources

This fully online course does not rely on a traditional textbook. Instead, students engage with a blend of digital tools and hands on materials that support active participation.

Recommended resources include:

• A device capable of capturing written work
• Audio recording tools
• Access to a printer
• A binder or notebook for offline activities
• Household materials for creative exploration
• Manipulatives such as play dough, building blocks, or similar items

These resources help students translate ideas into meaningful learning experiences.

Teaching and Learning Approach

Instruction emphasizes both structured guidance and exploration so that students can develop understanding through real world connections.

Key elements of the learning experience include:

• Inquiry based activities that encourage questioning
• Real life connections that make learning relevant
• Interactive stories and visual resources
• Opportunities for discussion and reflection
• Teacher support that nurtures confidence and participation

Teachers guide students through the inquiry process while fostering a classroom environment where learners feel comfortable sharing perspectives and developing their voice.

Nurturing Awareness and Global Perspective

Early social studies education plays an important role in shaping how students understand themselves and relate to others. By learning about identity, responsibility, and community, students begin building the awareness needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

At Trinity Ontario Elementary School, Social Studies reflects the vision of Trinity Ontario Global Academy by combining academic preparation with character development and global understanding. Students leave the course with a growing sense of belonging, respect for others, and readiness to participate meaningfully in their communities.