Social Studies Term 1

This trimester in social studies we learned about Canada’s diversity, symbols and international organizations that Canada plays a role in. We watched a documentary about the diversity of Canada’s provinces and also watched a documentary about climate change. 

Diversity is important for many reasons. The first reason I personally think diversity is important is because people need difference in the world, if everybody is the same that would be boring. Diversity gives us different perspectives, different identities, different ideas – we need those perspectives. For example Albert Einstein, everybody thought he was “different” but his different perspective led to his scientific breakthrough with his theory E equals MC squared which was an amazing theory. So you may need differences to make discoveries!

Canada is a diverse country. Canada’s population comes from a lot of different countries and cultural backgrounds. Some regions of Canada are more diverse than others. The majority of immigrants came to either BC Quebec or Ontario. These are the most diverse regions in Canada. Some of the reasons that people immigrate to these provinces are warmer climates and/or better economic opportunities In these regions the bigger cities were more diverse because they had more economic activity in them and people wanted to join in the economic activities. According to Canada’s 2016 census 58.1% of people in Canada speak English and 21.4% speak french.22.3% of the population in Canada speak a different immigrant language. Canada is also physically diverse in its landscape. The different natural features in Canada probably had meaning to the Indigenous people and led to different cultures and traditions. The difference in the landscapes reflect Canada’s diversity. Canada is a diverse nation and we benefit from it!!!

 

When I think of Canadian symbols, I think of an Inukshuk and Beaver tails. For my assignment I decided to study the Inukshuks because I did not know much about them. I created this infographic, the most interesting thing I learned is that there is more than one type of Inukshuk. Two other interesting facts is that Inukshuks have been used for thousands of years and helped people hunt. 

  

Inukshuk by jeremy.toubiana

This year I learned about the importance of international organizations. They are important to preserve peace. They also play a role in helping countries achieve multiple noble aims, including boosting economic prosperity and preserving human rights. For my project I studied NATO. NATO’s mission statement is to safeguard the allies freedom and security by political and military means. It help it allied countries by giving them armed forces if they need and other things.

 

wonder book cover

 

I designed this because I liked the original cover but it needed something unique to make it stand out more like August. That is why I added more colour and some different graphics. 

Treacher Collins syndrome research report

 

Treacher Collins syndrome (also known as TCS) is a condition that involves facial deformation, and has a lot of implications for your general health. 

 

TCS is a genetic disorder that is caused by a mutation in the TCOF1, POLR1C, or POLR1D genes (Wikipedia, 2022). This mutation impacts bone and tissue development (US Department of Health, GARD). TCS is a rare disorder that occurs to one person in every 50,000 people (Wikipedia, 2022). 

 

The symptoms of TCS can range from very mild to very severe. The majority of people affected have underdeveloped facial bones, resulting in deformities and absent or unusually formed ears (US Department of Health, GARD). In very severe cases they can have very dangerous respiratory problems. Other complications can include hearing loss, loss of slight, cleft palate, trouble swallowing (Wikipedia, 2022). There can be psychological symptoms as well such as depression, anxiety and body image problems.

 

Currently there is no cure for TCS. However there are treatments that can help for some people with TCS. For example, there are surgeries such as distraction osteogenesis and others for individuals’ eyes or cleft palate. Other treatments include bone grafting, fat grafting, otoplasty, and psychotherapy (Children Hospital of Philadelphia, 2022).  Each person with TCS will have a different set of treatments.

 

When supported, people with TCS can live fulfilling lives and overcome the challenges of the disease. 

 

Reference

Children Hospital of Philadelphia, 2022. Treacher Collins Syndrome

https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/treacher-collins-syndrome

 

US Department of Health, GARD. https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/9124/treacher-collins-syndrome

 

Wikipedia, 2022, Treacher Collins Syndrom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treacher_Collins_syndrome 

 

interactions of indigenous people & europeans

All indigenous people had creation stories.Each group  had different creation stories. They also all had a type of government. and they all traded. For example if the group lived near a river they would trade fish for plants.

This is my longhouse project

A longhouse is a building that villagers would share.

longhouse villages would be protected by palisades which are walls of heavy wooden poles with sharp points. There was usually one entrance which was guarded.

The materials are:

cardboard

hot glue

more cardboard

more hot glue

social studies

What have you learnt about this year in social studies?

  • Physical regions in canada
  • Early Civilization – Mayans – History

What was your favourite project and why?

My favorite project was making the Mayan pyramid because it took a long time to make it.  

It was fun to build because I’m into engineering. I’m interested in how structures are built. In addition, I like ancient civilizations and I find the way they survive fascinating. It’s just amazing how the pyramids are still standing. When I finished the project it looked like the real pyramid.

What was something new or interesting you learnt this year?

That there was a civilization called Mayans. I also learned that Canada has physical regions. My favourite Canadian region is the Canadian Shield because I live in it. I also like the West Cordillera because there are some nice hiking trails where I have gone camping with my dad. The interesting part was learning about the Mayans. To sum it up it all was enjoyable and interesting.

Did you enjoy the historical side or the Geographical side? Why?

I enjoyed both, they were both so fun. The historical part was amazing because I find the ways old civilizations survive so interesting. I like learning about the past. The geographical part was informative and enjoyable. I really enjoyed building my model of the Canadian Shield. 

What do you hope to learn about in social studies in Grade 5? I hope to learn about ancient Greece and the Roman emperors. I have read a lot of fiction with Greek mythology but I would like to know what it all actually is about. Also I would like to learn about the different cultures around the world. I also would want to do stuff that has crafts. To sum it up, I just want to learn!!


Haiku

If you look closely

 you can find marvelous

That yearn to be seen

that is a haiku

 

 

haikus are poems

with seventeen syllables

they come from japan

 

the syllables are

divided into three lines

five seven and five

 

they tell stories orf

nature and beauty and truth

simple and profound

 

even though haiku

may take decades to master

kids write the best ones

Jeremy speech

How dare you! 

 

This is what 16 year old Greta Thunberg said to all the adults at the UN climate action summit in 2019.

Why?

 

Because the adults of the world are not doing anything to stop climate change – in fact, she thinks they’re making it worse. 

 

Want to know who can save the planet…YOU CAN!!

 

I am Jeremy and I am going to teach you how kids like you and me can help stop climate change…

So let’s get started!

 

Change your diet

You think farts are funny, turns out they are not. Cow farts are toxic. In fact, raising cows, pigs and chickens emit as much greenhouse gases (the stuff that causes climate change -no don’t start thinking of gardens in glass) as all vehicles combined. Making room for these animals has led to clear cutting millions of square kilometers of forests.

 

What can you do about this? Change your diet, eat less meat! Eat plant based food a couple times a week and you are helping save the planet and your health. 

 

Conserve energy

Did you know that bikes don’t have tailpipes belching climate changing fumes! So get on a bike, ditch the car. And tell your parents and friends to do the same.

 

How many times have your parents asked you to “pick up your clothes” or “wash the dishes”? Maybe it is time for you to start challenging them on their choices… “Mum, turn off the engine while waiting for me at school” or “Dad, do you really need that plastic shopping bag?” Here are more ways that you can convince those around you to save energy. Ask them to close doors, turn off lights, turn off their electronics, and take short showers. 

 

Lead by example and encourage others to follow along. 

 

Take action

Do you know how a 15 year old kid got the attention of the UN. She took action.

 

Greta Thunberg sat outside parliament in Sweden to raise awareness of climate change. Her actions led to more school strikes for climate change around the world.

 

If striking isn’t for you there is still lots you can do. Take to social media (if your parents let you) with posters, videos, or articles. Study science and consider a green career like a biologist or climate engineer. 

 

Your actions matter – they can be big or small. What matters is that you should JUST DO SOMETHING!!!

 

Conclusion

The world can be changed if every kid does their small part to help! I have shared with you ways that climate change can be stopped by making a few changes in your everyday life such as eating less meat, conserving energy and taking action. what does it all sum up to? KIDS HELPING THE PLANET!

You can do it!

thanks for listening!