Glossary: Terms Starting with B
56 definitions in Social Studies with links to the lessons that teach each word.
Showing Social Studies only. Show all subjects
All terms starting with B
baker
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a person who bakes bread
Learn it in: People who provide goods (Grade 1)
balance
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a fair mix that meets different needs
Learn it in: Human land use (Grade 4), Rights and responsibilities (Grade 6)
balanced
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
fair to different views and based on evidence
Learn it in: Secondary sources (Grade 5)
ballot
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
the paper or system used to cast a vote in secret
Learn it in: Elections and representation (Grade 5)
band
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a small group of people who live and travel together
Learn it in: Hunter-gatherer communities (Grade 4)
bank
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
a safe place that keeps money for people
Learn it in: Saving money (Grade 2), Banking introduction (Grade 5)
Bantu-speaking peoples
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
groups who speak related Bantu languages, found across much of central, eastern and southern Africa
Learn it in: Historical migration (Grade 5)
bar graph
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
a chart using bars of different lengths to compare amounts
Learn it in: Reading geographical information (Grade 3)
bargaining
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
talking about a price until buyer and seller agree
Learn it in: Markets and trade (Grade 3)
barrier
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
something that makes taking part harder
Learn it in: Community participation (Grade 3)
barter
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
swapping goods or services without money
Learn it in: Why people use money (Grade 2), Trade beginnings (Grade 4), Regional trade networks (Grade 5)
basic needs
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
food, water, shelter and clothing
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Needs and wants (Grade 2)
basin
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
a large area drained by a river system
Learn it in: Africa’s physical geography (Grade 6)
BCE
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
before the Common Era, used for dates before year 1
Learn it in: Chronology (Grade 4), Historical periods and chronology (Grade 6)
bearing
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
a direction given as an angle (introduction only)
Learn it in: Intermediate directions introduction (Grade 3)
belief
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
something people trust is true
Learn it in: What is culture? (Grade 1), Religion and belief systems as historical and cultural subjects (Grade 4)
bell
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a sound that tells us it is time
Learn it in: School routines (Grade 1)
belong
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
to be welcome in a group
Learn it in: Celebrating individuality (Grade 1), Cultural identity (Grade 4)
belonging
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
feeling that you are part of a group
Learn it in: Different families (Grade 2), Cultural identity (Grade 5), Challenges and opportunities of migration (Grade 6)
benefit
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
something good that you gain from a choice
Learn it in: Opportunity cost introduction (Grade 5), Benefits and challenges of trade (Grade 5), Opportunity cost (Grade 6)
best interests
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
what is best for a child when decisions affect them
Learn it in: Children’s rights (Grade 6)
bias
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
a leaning for or against something that is not fair
Learn it in: Comparing evidence (Grade 3), Primary and secondary sources (Grade 4), Comparing accounts (Grade 4)
bibliography
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
a list of the sources an author used
Learn it in: Secondary sources (Grade 5)
bill
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
a proposed law that is discussed in Parliament
Learn it in: Lawmaking (Grade 5), Legislatures (Grade 6)
biodiversity
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
the variety of living things in a place
Learn it in: Natural environments (Grade 4), Forestry (Grade 5)
biography
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
the story of a person’s life
Learn it in: Community founders and historical figures (Grade 3)
bird’s-eye view
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
a view from high above
Learn it in: Drawing community maps (Grade 2)
birth rate
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
the number of births per 1,000 people in a year
Learn it in: Population change (Grade 6)
blend
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
to mix so that something new is made
Learn it in: Migration and cultural change (Grade 4)
border
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
the line where two countries meet
Learn it in: Locating our country (Grade 2), National boundaries (Grade 3), Political maps (Grade 3)
border crossing
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
a place where people and goods cross from one country to another
Learn it in: Regional trade (Grade 5)
borehole
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a deep narrow hole drilled to reach water underground
Learn it in: Water management (Grade 4)
borrow
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
to take something for a short time
Learn it in: Caring for school property (Grade 1), Trade and cultural exchange (Grade 4)
boundary
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
a line that marks the edge of a place
Learn it in: National boundaries (Grade 3), Map keys and legends (Grade 3), Historical maps (Grade 5)
brain circulation
Social StudiesFrom Grade 6
the movement of skilled people between countries in ways that share knowledge
Learn it in: Challenges and opportunities of migration (Grade 6)
brainstorm
Social StudiesFrom Grade 3
to share many ideas quickly without judging them
Learn it in: Identifying possible solutions (Grade 3)
bridge
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a structure that crosses water or a road
Learn it in: Human-made features (Grade 1), Built environments (Grade 2)
bronze
Social StudiesFrom Grade 4
a hard metal made by mixing copper and tin
Learn it in: Ancient China (Grade 4)
budget
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
a plan for how to use money
Learn it in: Needs before wants (Grade 2), Community improvement proposal (Grade 3), Buyers and sellers (Grade 3)
building
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a structure with walls and a roof
Learn it in: Homes and buildings (Grade 1), Old and new buildings (Grade 2)
built environment
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
places made by people
Learn it in: Natural and built environments (Grade 1), Built environments (Grade 2)
bullying
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
repeated unkind behaviour that hurts someone
Learn it in: Resolving conflicts peacefully (Grade 2), Respect and inclusion (Grade 3), Discrimination and inclusion (Grade 6)
bush fallow
Social StudiesFrom Grade 5
letting farmland rest and regrow for some years so that soil can recover
Learn it in: Agriculture (Grade 5)
business
Social StudiesFrom Grade 2
an organisation or person who sells goods or services
Learn it in: Traders and businesses (Grade 2), Goods and services (Grade 2), Entrepreneurship (Grade 5)
buyer
Social StudiesFrom Grade 1
a person who buys
Learn it in: Markets and shops (Grade 1), Goods (Grade 1), Buyers and sellers (Grade 3)