1. Making Sense of Census 2000 By
Suzannah Ruland
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2. Objectives Compare historical maps and draw conclusions
Use special purpose maps to analyze population densities and shifts
Explore the theme of Census 2000 by designing a billboard
Use real-life problem-solving skills to select a site for a new school
Create a “mock” census form, then analyze data gathered from it
Evaluate and display data gathered from “mock” census form
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3. A History of the Census
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4. Where We Live
Special Purpose Map: a map that displays information about a specific subject
Mean Center of Population: The point at which a country would balance perfectly if it were a flat surface and every person on it was of equal weight.
Population Density: the number of people per unit area (e.g. square mile)
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5. Fill in Your Future
The U.S. Constitution says the government must do a census every ten years. Filling in the census form is important because it’s like filling in the future.
To help people understand the importance of completing their census forms, the U.S. Census Bureau has created a slogan: “This is Your Future. Don’t Leave It Blank.” Create a billboard to advertise this idea..
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6. Making Plans
Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Governments, and businesses use census information to tailor services to a community’s needs. It is very important in urban planning decisions.
Site-Planning Exercise: Use census-style data and other factors to pick a new school site. What factors should be considered in selecting a site for a new school?
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7. Create Your Own Form
Students will conduct a class census with information collected from their own households. They will find the mean, median, mode, and range to organize the statistics.
Your Class Census should include two questions.
1. How many people live in your household?
2. What are their ages?
Information will be recorded on activity sheets given to students.
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8. Graph It!
Collecting data is a big part of the U.S. Census Bureau’s work. Displaying it in a useful way is also important There are many types of charts used to display the information collected.
To calculate percent: Step 1: Divide the population for the age group by the total population Step 2: Round the decimal to the hundredth place Step 3: Multiply by Add the % sign.
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9. Bibliography Additional Resources
Making Sense of Census 2000 Teaching Guide, Grades 5-8
Web sites States & Capitals U.S. House of Representatives Map Man -
Books State Governments by Barbara Silberdick Feinberg (Watts, 1993).. Take a Stand! By Daniel Weizmann (Price/Stern/Sloan, 1996). Statistical Abstract of the United States by the U.S. Census Bureau (National Technical Information Service, 1998).
Additional Resources
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10. Activity Activity Create Your Own Form*
07/16/96
Activity
Activity
Create Your Own Form
Follow the directions in each box
to find the answers asked for
Mean
Mode
Range
Median
Create Your Own Form
Follow the directions in each box to answer the questions for each
of the following areas:
Mean
Mode
Range
Median
Compare the statistics your group gathered with those gathered
by other groups.
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11. Fair Use
Certain materials are included under the fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright law and have been prepared according to the educational fair use guidelines.
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