HIF2O – Exploring Family Studies – Grade 10
This course explores, within the context of families, some of the fundamental challenges people face: how to meet basic needs, how to relate to others, how to manage resources, and how to become responsible members of society. Students will explore adolescent development and will have opportunities to develop interpersonal, decision making, and practical skills related to daily life. They will learn about the diverse ways in which families function in Canada and will use research skills as they explore topics related to individual and family needs and resources.
$450.00
*Course outline is subject to change
Overall Curriculum Expectations
Throughout the course, students will be provided with numerous and varied opportunities to demonstrate the full extent of their achievement of the curriculum expectations, across all four categories of knowledge and skills. Evaluations will reflect each student’s most consistent level of achievement. The overall learning expectations for this course are encompassed in the following strands:
RESEARCH AND INQUIRY SKILLS
By the end of this course, students will:
- Exploring: explore topics related to families in Canada, and formulate questions to guide their research;
- Investigating: create research plans, and locate and select information relevant to their chosen topics, using appropriate social science research and inquiry methods;
- Processing Information: assess, record, analyse, and synthesize information gathered through research and inquiry;
- Communicating and Reflecting: communicate the results of their research and inquiry clearly and effectively, and reflect on and evaluate their research, inquiry, and communication skills.
SELF AND OTHERS
By the end of this course, students will:
- Adolescent Development: describe important changes that are associated with adolescent development, and explain their influence on the behaviour and needs of young people;
- Relating to Others: demonstrate an understanding of various types of relationships and of skills and strategies for developing and maintaining healthy relationships;
- Family Lifestyles: describe lifestyles in diverse families and the impact of a range of factors, including social and cultural factors, on these lifestyles.
DAILY LIVING SKILLS
By the end of this course, students will:
- Decision Making and Problem Solving: demonstrate the ability to apply decision-making and problem-solving strategies and skills, particularly within a family context;
- Managing Resources: demonstrate an understanding of strategies and skills that can be used to manage resources to meet the needs of the family and its individual members;
- Practical Skills: demonstrate an understanding of practical skills and knowledge needed to safely and effectively perform day-to-day tasks that help meet their needs and those of the family.
EXERCISING RESPONSIBILITY
By the end of this course, students will:
- Personal Responsibilities: demonstrate an understanding of their responsibilities related to their personal well-being and that of their family, and of how they can maintain their health and well-being;
- Family Responsibilities: describe the functions and responsibilities of families and the diverse ways in which families fulfil them;
- Consumer Awareness: describe and demonstrate responsible consumer practices.
Outline of Course Content
In this opening unit, students explore how we gain knowledge about families, individuals, and communities. They learn to transform everyday curiosity into meaningful inquiry by developing focused questions, designing basic surveys or interviews, and gathering relevant information. Emphasis is placed on evaluating sources, thinking critically about evidence, and communicating findings in youth-friendly formats such as podcasts, infographics, or short-form videos. Along the way, students build essential research habits—ethical data collection, critical source analysis, citation, and reflective thinking—that will support their learning throughout the course and beyond.
With foundational research skills in place, students now turn their attention inward and outward—examining their own development and the relationships that shape their lives. They explore the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes of adolescence, and reflect on how needs, wants, values, and goals influence personal identity. Through case studies, empathy-building activities, and role-play scenarios, students investigate a range of relationship dynamics—from friendships and family roles to dating and digital interactions. Communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques are emphasized as tools for building healthy, respectful connections that promote personal and social well-being.
Students are introduced to a few social theories of attraction and mate In this hands-on unit, students actively apply Family Studies concepts to everyday life. Whether planning a nutritious lunch, mending a garment, setting up a personal budget, or redesigning a bedroom nook with wellness and sustainability in mind, learners build practical skills that promote independence and well-being. Using decision-making models, students learn to assess options, set priorities, and manage their time and money effectively. Alongside essential safety practices in the kitchen and with sewing tools, students are introduced to local and online resources that can support smart, sustainable living beyond the classroom.
In the culminating unit, students explore what it means to live responsibly—as individuals, family members, consumers, and global citizens. They develop personalized wellness plans, examine how roles and responsibilities are shared within diverse family structures, and critically analyze how media and marketing influence youth choices. The unit concludes with a capstone “major purchase” project—such as selecting a phone plan or laptop—that challenges students to apply budgeting skills, evaluate consumer options, and consider environmental and ethical impacts. Through this work, students deepen their understanding of how everyday choices reflect and shape personal values, family dynamics, and community well-being.
Culminating Activity: This culminating project allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the key concepts in HIF2O through a focused research investigation. You will explore the topic of household responsibility and its connection to gender roles, adolescent development, and family dynamics. Your project will follow the complete inquiry cycle and meet the expectations from Strand A (Research and Inquiry Skills) of the curriculum.
Final Exam: The exam will cover all curriculum expectations.