Deciding to homeschool can be such an exciting yet terrifying experience. You may love the idea of educational freedom and making education fun. However, learning standards might scare you, which can make the idea of following provincial standards with your homeschool an overwhelming task.
Canada is considered to be one of the most educated countries in the world. Ranking 2nd out of 16 peer countries. In 2019, 73% of Canadians between the ages of 25 and 34 had obtained postsecondary qualifications, according to Statistics Canada.
Additionally, 15-year-olds in Canada are among the world’s highest educational performers in reading and math. Even though education appears to be solid throughout the country, staff shortages, strikes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and overcrowded classrooms have all played a massive role in parents choosing to homeschool their children across the nation.
Homeschooling is legal across Canada, which is excellent! Because you can offer your child the one-on-one learning they need while still following provincial standards with your homeschool.
What are provincial standards for education?
If you live in Canada, you may be familiar with the term ‘provincial standards for education.’ But you may be unsure of what it means exactly. Canada has a very robust and well-funding public education system. Most aspects of this educational system are managed on a provincial level. Meaning each province manages its educational system.
As a result of each province managing its education system, educational standards and the system itself can vary by province. Furthermore, the federal government still oversees the education system of each province to ensure that education remains consistently high throughout the country.
How can you follow provincial standards?
Each province in Canada follows the same standards for Math and Language Arts. Sometimes a province may have a slight shift in learning standards for Science and Social Studies. Following provincial standards with your homeschool is as simple as finding a Canadian homeschooling curriculum that aligns with provincial standards or looking up those standards for yourself.
Some provinces like Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland have much more strict rules around homeschooling. So, checking in on your local laws around homeschooling before diving into educational standards is best. These provinces have been hyperlinked for your convenience to the homeschooling standards of each province listed.
Math and Language Arts learning standards.
As stated above, Math and Language Arts standards remain consistent throughout Canada. This means regardless of which province you are in, you can follow the same learning standards for their grade. The significant variations by province are in Social Studies and Science.
Ontario learning standards for Science and Social Studies.
The Ontario educational system follows Canadian standards closely. Here is a breakdown by grade.
Grade 1 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 1 science you will need to cover these units:
- Matter and Energy
- Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- Structures and Mechanisms
- Daily and Seasonal Changes
For grade 1 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 2 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 2 science you will need to cover these units:
- Properties of Liquids and Solids
- Air and Water in the Environment
- Movement
- Growth and Changes in Animals
For grade 2 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 3 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 3 science you will need to cover these units:
- Soils in the Environment
- Strong and Stable Structures
- Forces Causing Movement
- Growth and Changes in Plants
For grade 3 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 4 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 4 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 4 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 5 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 5 science you will need to cover these units:
- Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms
- Properties and Changes in Matter
- Human Organ Systems
- Conservation of Energy
For grade 5 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 6 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 6 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 6 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 7 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 7 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 7 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- New France and British North America, 1713-1800
- Canada, 1800-1850: Conflict and Change
- Physical Patterns in a Changing World
- Natural Resources Around the World: Use and Sustainability
Grade 8 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 8 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 8 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- Creating Canada: 1850-1890
- Canada, 1890-1914
- Global Settlement Patterns and Sustainability
- Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life
Nova Scotia learning standards for Science and Social Studies.
The Nova Scotia educational system is similar to Ontario. Here is a breakdown by grade.
Grade 1 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 1 science you will need to cover these units:
- Matter and Energy
- Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- Structures and Mechanisms
- Daily and Seasonal Changes
For grade 1 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 2 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 2 science you will need to cover these units:
- Properties of Liquids and Solids
- Air and Water in the Environment
- Movement
- Growth and Changes in Animals
For grade 2 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 3 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 3 science you will need to cover these units:
- Soils in the Environment
- Strong and Stable Structures
- Forces Causing Movement
- Growth and Changes in Plants
For grade 3 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- Prairies and West Coast Indigenous History
- Communities in Canada, 1780-1850
- Living and Working in Atlantic Canada (optional)
Grade 4 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 4 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 4 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 5 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 5 science you will need to cover these units:
- Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms
- Properties and Changes in Matter
- Human Organ Systems
- Weather
For grade 5 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 6 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 6 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 6 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 7 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 7 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 7 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- New France and British North America, 1713-1800
- Canada, 1800-1850: Conflict and Change
- Physical Patterns in a Changing World
- Natural Resources Around the World: Use and Sustainability
Grade 8 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 8 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 8 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- Creating Canada: 1850-1890
- Canada, 1890-1914
- Global Settlement Patterns and Sustainability
- Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life
British Columbia learning standards for Science and Social Studies.
Here is a breakdown of the British Columbia learning standards by grade.
Grade 1 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 1 science you will need to cover these units:
- Matter and Energy
- Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- Structures and Mechanisms
- Daily and Seasonal Changes
For grade 1 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 2 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 2 science you will need to cover these units:
- Properties of Liquids and Solids
- Air and Water in the Environment
- Movement
- Growth and Changes in Animals
For grade 2 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 3 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 3 science you will need to cover these units:
- Soils in the Environment
- Strong and Stable Structures
- Forces Causing Movement
- Animal Classifications and Habitats
For grade 3 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- Prairies and West Coast Indigenous History
- Communities in Canada, 1780-1850
- Living and Working in British Columbia (optional)
Grade 4 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 4 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 4 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 5 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 5 science you will need to cover these units:
- Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms
- Properties and Changes in Matter
- Human Organ Systems
- Conservation of Energy
For grade 5 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 6 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 6 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 6 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 7 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 7 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 7 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- New France and British North America, 1713-1800
- Canada, 1800-1850: Conflict and Change
- Physical Patterns in a Changing World
- Natural Resources Around the World: Use and Sustainability
Grade 8 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 8 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 8 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- Creating Canada: 1850-1890
- Canada, 1890-1914
- Global Settlement Patterns and Sustainability
- Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life
Alberta learning standards for Science and Social Studies.
Here is a breakdown of the Alberta learning standards by grade.
Grade 1 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 1 science you will need to cover these units:
- Colour and Light
- Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- Structures and Mechanisms
- Daily and Seasonal Changes
For grade 1 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 2 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 2 science you will need to cover these units:
- Properties of Liquids and Solids
- Air and Water in the Environment
- Movement
- Growth and Changes in Animals
For grade 2 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 3 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 3 science you will need to cover these units:
- Soils in the Environment
- Strong and Stable Structures
- Rocks and Minerals
- Animal Classifications Habitats
For grade 3 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 4 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 4 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 4 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 5 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 5 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 5 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 6 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 6 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 6 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 7 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 7 science you will need to cover these units:
- Interactions in the Environment
- Heat in the Environment
- Plants in the Environment
- Form and Function
- Earth’s Crust
For grade 7 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- New France and British North America, 1713-1800
- Canada, 1800-1850: Conflict and Change
- Physical Patterns in a Changing World
- Natural Resources Around the World: Use and Sustainability
Grade 8 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 8 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 8 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- Creating Canada: 1850-1890
- Canada, 1890-1914
- Global Settlement Patterns and Sustainability
- Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life
Saskatchewan learning standards for Science and Social Studies.
Following provincial standards with your homeschool in Saskatchewan will look like this.
Grade 1 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 1 science you will need to cover these units:
- Matter and Energy
- Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- Structures and Mechanisms
- Daily and Seasonal Changes
For grade 1 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 2 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 2 science you will need to cover these units:
- Properties of Liquids and Solids
- Air and Water in the Environment
- Movement
- Growth and Changes in Animals
For grade 2 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 3 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 3 science you will need to cover these units:
- Soils in the Environment
- Strong and Stable Structures
- Forces Causing Movement
- Growth and Changes in Plants
For grade 3 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 4 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 4 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 4 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 5 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 5 science you will need to cover these units:
- Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms
- Properties and Changes in Matter
- Human Organ Systems
- Weather
For grade 5 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 6 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 6 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 6 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 7 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 7 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 7 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- New France and British North America, 1713-1800
- Canada, 1800-1850: Conflict and Change
- Physical Patterns in a Changing World
- Natural Resources Around the World: Use and Sustainability
Grade 8 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 8 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 8 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- Creating Canada: 1850-1890
- Canada, 1890-1914
- Global Settlement Patterns and Sustainability
- Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life
Manitoba learning standards for Science and Social Studies.
Following provincial standards with your homeschool for Science and Social Studies in Manitoba will look like this.
Grade 1 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 1 science you will need to cover these units:
- Matter and Energy
- Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- Structures and Mechanisms
- Daily and Seasonal Changes
For grade 1 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 2 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 2 science you will need to cover these units:
- Properties of Liquids and Solids
- Air and Water in the Environment
- Movement
- Growth and Changes in Animals
For grade 2 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 3 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 3 science you will need to cover these units:
- Soils in the Environment
- Strong and Stable Structures
- Forces Causing Movement
- Growth and Changes in Plants
For grade 3 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 4 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 4 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 4 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 5 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 5 science you will need to cover these units:
- Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms
- Properties and Changes in Matter
- Human Organ Systems
- Weather
For grade 5 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 6 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 6 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 6 social studies you will need to cover these units:
Grade 7 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 7 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 7 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- New France and British North America, 1713-1800
- Canada, 1800-1850: Conflict and Change
- Physical Patterns in a Changing World
- Natural Resources Around the World: Use and Sustainability
Grade 8 Science and Social Studies:
For grade 8 science you will need to cover these units:
For grade 8 social studies you will need to cover these units:
- Creating Canada: 1850-1890
- Canada, 1890-1914
- Global Settlement Patterns and Sustainability
- Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life
Following provincial standards with your homeschool is easier than you’d think.
You can find all of the units listed for each provincial standard in the Schoolio shop. You can also add in fun electives and interested based learning projects to keep your homeschool fun.
If you are using the Schoolio Digital Platform and aren’t finding the provincial units listed for your child’s grade, know that the Schoolio Digital Platform follows the Ontario learning standards. While some provinces vary, most remain on track with this platform.
When you select your child’s grade and are looking for additional lessons to match your child’s learning standards, search for that unit in another grade using the list above, then add that grade to your child’s courses to cover those topics.
And remember not to stress too much! You’re doing a great job!
One Response
Great resource!