Grade 9: Canada: Opportunities and Challenges

from Alberta Education, Program of Studies, 2007

OVERVIEW

Grade 9 students will analyze the relationship between Canada's 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.

RATIONALE

Grade 9 students will broaden their understanding and appreciation of the relationships among governance, economics, quality of life, citizenship and identity. 

General Outcome 9.1 Issues for Canadians: Governance and Rights

Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how Canada's political processes impact citizenship and identity in an attempt to meet the needs of all Canadians. 

Specific Outcomes

Values and Attitudes

9.1.1 Students will appreciate the impact of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on rights and governance in Canada

9.1.2 Students will appreciate the effects of government politics on citizenship and on Canadian society

9.1.3 Students will appreciate how emerging issues impact quality of life, citizenship adn identity in Canada  

Knowledge and Understanding

9.1.4 Students will examine the structure of Canada's federal political system by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues: 

• What is the relationship between the executive, legislative and judicial branchesof Canada's federal political system?
• What processes are used to determine Members of Parliament? 
• What process are used to determine Senators? 
• To whom are the Members of Parliament and Senators accountable? 
• How are laws passed in the federal political system? 
• What is the role of political parties within Canada's federal political system?
• What is the role of media in relation to political issues? 
• How do lobby groups impact government decision making? 
• To what extent do political and legislative processes meet the needs of all Canadians? 

9.1.5. analyze the role that citizens and organizations play in Candaa's justice system by exploring and refletcing upon the following questions and issues: 

• How do citizens and organizations participate in Canada's jutsice system?
• What are citizens' legal roles and responsibilities? 
• What is the intention of the Youth Criminal Justice Act?