Alberta Social Studies Curriculum
Alberta sets its own social studies sequence, organized around the Alberta Programs of Study and built for Provincial Assessments, including Provincial Achievement Tests in Grades 6 and 9.
Browse by school level
Elementary School Social Studies
Community, identity, and place - one course per grade from Kindergarten through Grade 5 Social Studies.
Kindergarten Social Studies
Family structures, cultural characteristics, and community connections for kindergarten.
Grade 1 Social Studies
Community helpers, cultural diversity, and map skills for Grade 1.
Grade 2 Social Studies
World languages, Indigenous heritage, and basic needs in AB Grade 2 Social Studies.
Grade 3 Social Studies
Natural resources, human rights, and settlement history in AB Grade 3 Social Studies.
Grade 4 Social Studies
Indigenous governance, climate zones, and cultural diffusion in AB Grade 4 Social Studies.
Grade 5 Social Studies
Canadian government, Indigenous peoples, and Confederation for AB Grade 5.
Middle School Social Studies
Canadian and world history, geography, and citizenship across Grades 6, 7, and 8.
Grade 6 Social Studies
Global challenges, human rights, and sustainable development in AB Grade 6 Social Studies.
Grade 7 Social Studies
Indigenous societies, ancient civilizations, and Canadian confederation.
Grade 8 Social Studies
Nation building, industrialization, and Indigenous relations in AB Grade 8 Social Studies.
High School Social Studies
Grade 9 through Grade 11 Social Studies, plus four specialized Grade 12 courses: Economics, History, Human Geography, and Political Studies.
Grade 9 Social Studies
Physiographic regions, federation formation, and resource industries in AB Grade 9 Social Studies.
Grade 10 Social Studies
Canadian contributions, civil rights, and globalization in AB Grade 10 Social Studies.
Grade 11 Social Studies
Indigenous studies, political systems, and social justice for Grade 11.
Economics 12
Microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics for Grade 12 Social Studies.
History 12
Nations and nationalism, human rights, and global conflicts in Grade 12 Social Studies.
Human Geography 12
Population and demographics, urban geography, and political geography for Grade 12 Social Studies.
Political Studies 12
Political theory, Canadian governance, and international relations.
Aligned with the Alberta Programs of Study
Every lesson is organized around the Alberta Programs of Study and follows the sequence Alberta classrooms use, so a student can find the exact topic their teacher covered that day and work through it at their own pace.
- Mapped to the Alberta Programs of Study, grade by grade through Grade 12
- Built-in review for Provincial Achievement Tests in Grades 6 and 9
- Unlimited practice questions with step-by-step worked solutions
Social Studies Curriculum by Province
Select any of the nine provinces to see the social studies courses available there.
Province Standards
CURRICULUM GUIDE
About the Alberta Social Studies Curriculum
How Alberta Programs of Study Works
The Alberta Programs of Study sets the learning outcomes for social studies from Kindergarten through Grade 12. It organizes content around five dimensions of thinking - knowledge, values, skills, and perspectives - applied progressively across each grade.
How Alberta Differs
Alberta's senior social studies sequence branches into four distinct Grade 12 electives - Economics 12, History 12, Human Geography 12, and Political Studies 12 - giving students a level of course specialization that most other provinces do not offer at that stage.
How Alberta Social Studies Progresses
The program begins with community and identity in the early grades, moves into Canadian and world history and geography in middle school, and reaches senior courses that cover civics, economics, and specialized disciplines by Grade 12.
How Alberta Assesses Social Studies
Alberta administers Provincial Achievement Tests in Grade 6 and Grade 9 social studies. Grade 12 students may sit Diploma Exams depending on the course, which factor into final marks and support university readiness across the province.
Common Questions from Alberta Parents
We've got answers to some popular questions.
Which grades does StudyPug cover for Alberta social studies?
StudyPug covers Alberta social studies from Kindergarten through Grade 12, including the four specialized Grade 12 courses: Economics, History, Human Geography, and Political Studies.
How do I find the course that matches my child's class?
Browse by grade band - elementary, middle, or high school - then select the grade or named course that matches your child's current class. Each course follows the Alberta Programs of Study sequence.
Does StudyPug help with Alberta's Provincial Achievement Tests?
Yes. Lessons and practice problems are built around the Alberta Programs of Study, so the content your child works through is based on real exams, including the Provincial Achievement Tests in Grades 6 and 9.
Does the order of topics match what my child's school teaches?
Courses follow the Alberta Programs of Study scope and sequence, so topics appear in the same order a typical Alberta classroom uses. Students can also jump to a specific topic if they need help with one concept.
Can I use StudyPug for homeschooling?
Yes. Lessons are organized by grade and Alberta Programs of Study standard, and students can work through them at their own pace, making StudyPug a practical fit for homeschooling families in Alberta.
Reviewed by the StudyPug Curriculum Team
Last updated June 5, 2026
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