Social Studies

The Nova Scotia social studies curriculum includes expectations that incorporate media education themes. The curriculum document Foundation for the Atlantic Canada English Language Arts Curriculum: Social Studies (1999) includes a section that demonstrates the complementary relationship between media literacy and arts education:

With the accelerating pace of change, today’s students cannot expect facts learned in isolation to equip them for life. Problem solving, critical and creative thinking, and informed decision making are essential for success in the future. The social studies learning environment must support the development of these critical attributes to prepare students as lifelong learners.

An effective social studies learning environment ensures student achievement by:

• emphasizing inquiry and discovery by students rather than teacher presentation of information, facts, and conclusions
• teaching students how to process and act upon information about the world in a rational and critical manner
• encouraging the effective use of various technologies and of community, media, and print resources in appropriate situations

Click on a grade level under Social Studies for a list of media-related outcomes and links to supporting resources from the MediaSmarts site. (Note: as many of our lessons can be adapted to suit different grade levels, specific lessons may be listed for more than one grade. Teachers should also note that individual lessons often satisfy a number of learning outcomes.)