Social Studies (SAF01‑04)
Competence aims and assessment

Examples of connections

Explanation

Competence aims after year 4

The pupil is expected to be able to

  • explore and present social-studies-related topics, search for information in various sources and assess how useful the information that is to inform about the topics
  • explore cultural heritage and how people lived during the time the cultural heritage is from, and compare this with how we live today
  • describe cultural and natural landscapes in Norway and talk about how historical and geographical sources, including maps, can provide information about these landscapes
  • talk about why conflicts arise in the school and local environment, listen to others’ opinions, and collaborate with them to find constructive solutions
  • present human rights and children’s rights, and reflect on why we have these rights
  • present reasons as to why the Sami people have been given indigenous status in Norway, and describe the different forms of Sami cultural and community life, both from the past and today
  • explore and give examples of some aspects of sustainability
  • reflect on the connections between personal finances and one’s own consumption
  • talk about identity, diversity and community, and reflect on what it might be like if one is not a part of the community
  • talk about the rules and norms for protection of privacy, the sharing and protection of information, and what it means to use one’s judgment in digital interaction
  • talk about the boundaries related to the body, what violence and sexual abuse is, and how to obtain help if one has been the victim of violence and sexual abuse
  • reflect on which forces in society have power and what a democracy is, and develop proposals for how one can have an impact on decisions
  • talk about some important public institutions and their functions in Norway, and reflect on how they affect people’s lives

Formative assessment

Formative assessment shall help to promote learning and develop competence in the subject. The pupils demonstrate and develop their competence in Social Studies during year 3 and 4 when they show that they can work individually and with others, and are able to explore and explain the connections between social-studies-related topics. The pupils demonstrate and develop their competence when they are able to both present and talk about social-studies-related topics, and can reflect on what kind of information and knowledge different types of sources can provide to inform about these topics. The pupils thus demonstrate and develop their competence when they can appreciate different perspectives and observe how they and others may be affected by and have an effect on each other, society and nature. They further demonstrate and develop their competence when they show their ability to interact digitally and use the rules and norms associated with privacy protection and digital interaction.


The teacher shall facilitate pupil participation and stimulate the desire to learn by encouraging the pupils to search for knowledge in various ways, appreciate different perspectives and reflect on how knowledge can be created. The teacher and pupils shall engage in dialogue about their development in Social Studies. The pupils shall be encouraged to experiment on their own in the subject. With the competence the pupils have demonstrated as the starting point, they shall be given the opportunity to express what they believe they have achieved and what they believe they have improved on. The teacher shall provide guidance on further learning and adapt the teaching to enable the pupils to use the guidance provided to develop their competence in social studies through their curiosity, by increasing their knowledge and by exploring the connections in the subject.