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Planned offering · Subject to inspection, authorization, and availability.

Grade 10 Civics and Citizenship

Understand your community. Find your voice. Explore how to make a difference.

How do government decisions affect your life? What rights and responsibilities do we share? How can young people contribute to their communities?

Groundwork School’s planned Civics and Citizenship course combines online learning with investigations into issues that matter to students.

Students explore citizenship through everyday examples, including school, sport, music, camp and community activities.

How the Course Works

This course is designed for both summer and school-year study. Students complete online lessons, research, discussions and assignments with teacher guidance.

They investigate civic issues, consider different perspectives and develop informed opinions supported by evidence.

For their civic inquiry project, students choose an issue that matters to them. It could relate to their neighbourhood, school, sport, music, camp or a broader public issue. They research who is affected, examine the decisions involved and propose ways to create positive change.

The same learning expectations apply to every intake. Students do not need a camp position, team membership or volunteer placement to participate.

Course dates, schedules and assignment deadlines will be provided before registration.

What You’ll Learn

Research and critical thinking Ask meaningful questions, assess evidence and media bias, compare perspectives, acknowledge sources and communicate informed conclusions respectfully. Explore connections to everyday life and careers.

Democracy and government Examine democratic values and their historical foundations, political parties, elections, government responsibilities, branches of government, laws, taxation and budgets. Explore Indigenous governance, treaties and Crown-Indigenous relationships.

Rights and responsibilities Study the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its foundations, citizenship responsibilities, the justice system, global human rights and responses to violations.

Public issues and influence Explore how government policy affects people and the economy, and how organizations, foreign actors and social media influence public debate and decisions.

Community participation and action Examine civic contributions, inclusion, commemoration and youth service opportunities. Investigate an issue, propose actions and assess their potential effectiveness.

Connect Civics to Your Life

Civic issues affect the places where students learn, train, work and spend time.

You might investigate:

• Access to affordable sport, music or camp programs.
• Accessibility at a community event.
• Public funding for recreation facilities.
• Environmental concerns in your neighbourhood.
• Youth representation in community decisions.
• The influence of social media on a public issue.

Your teacher will help you develop a clear question and connect it to the course learning.

Your Civic Inquiry Project

Choose a civic issue that matters to you and investigate it carefully.

You will identify the people and organizations involved, examine different viewpoints and explain how government or community decisions relate to the issue.

You will then propose possible actions, compare their strengths and limitations, and explain which approach you recommend.

Your proposal might take the form of a presentation, a report, an awareness resource or a letter to an appropriate decision-maker.

The focus is on informed participation: understanding the issue, supporting your position with evidence and considering how change could happen.

How Your Learning Is Assessed

Assessment may include:

• Research and source evaluations.
• Analysis of current issues.
• Discussions and teacher conversations.
• Written responses and presentations.
• A civic inquiry project and reflection.

Students are assessed on their understanding, reasoning and communication. They are expected to consider different perspectives and explain their conclusions respectfully.

Prerequisites and Participation

There is no prerequisite for this course.

Students will need a computer, reliable internet access and time to complete lessons, research and assignments.

Any scheduled discussions or project participation requirements will be explained before registration.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Groundwork School is planning a February 2027 launch, with summer and school-year course options.

Submit an application for your preferred course and start date. We’ll contact you to review course requirements and confirm availability.

Applications are reviewed before registration and payment. We will contact you if proof of prerequisites is required.