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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

A look at the population density of the United States

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/g912/density.html

A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Science and Social Studies

Provider: National Geographic


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This lesson from Xpeditions focuses on the spatial distribution of the population density of the United States at different levels of scale. Students explore the responsibility of geographers in discerning patterns and to better understand trends. This will enable students to organize spatial information in categories, analyze the information, and draw conclusions.

Students will:

  • locate and extract census data;
  • produce population density maps of the United States in different scales;
  • analyze population density maps by observing patterns and drawing conclusions;
  • determine how different scales of analysis can produce different patterns of population density and influence interpretations of that data; and
  • understand population density maps as a tool for marketing products.

Xpeditions provides links to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program and helpful tables, charts, and maps of the United States.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 9–12 — AP Earth and Environmental Science

  • Goal 3: The learner will build an understanding of human population dynamics.
    • Objective 3.01: Analyze human population history and global distribution.
      • Demographics.
      • Age structure diagrams.
      • Survivorship curves.
      • Patterns of resource distribution.
    • Objective 3.02: Investigate local, regional and global carrying capacities.
      • Limiting factors.
      • Density-dependent and density-independent factors.

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 11–12 — Advanced Placement World History

  • Goal 1: Historical Themes, Tools, and Practices – The learner will identify, evaluate and use the methods and tools valued by historians, compare the views of historians, and trace the themes of global history.
    • Objective 1.04: Assess the impact of technology and demography on people and the environment including, but not limited to, population growth and decline, disease, manufacturing, migrations, agriculture, and/or weaponry.

Grade 11–12 — Geography

  • Goal 3: The learner will use maps and other geographic tools, such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to identify, describe, and interpret major international travel patterns as related to the United States.
    • Objective 3.01: Demonstrate an understanding of the various types of thematic maps.
    • Objective 3.02: Demonstrate a working knowledge of GIS and other map-making tools.
    • Objective 3.04: Construct a map showing country destination of international travelers from United States.
  • Goal 4: The learner will use maps and other geographic tools such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to identify, describe, and interpret major intranational travel patterns as related to North Carolina.
    • Objective 4.08: Discuss how the geography of North Carolina tourism reflects an unevenness and identify reasons for and consequences of some counties engaging in tourism more than others.