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

National population projections

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L238

A lesson plan for grades 3–5 Mathematics

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics


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In this activity, students will examine the United States Census Bureau Web site to investigate population projections from 1990-2100. Using the five provided pyramids, students will analyze the data to determine how the population is distributed over time, and explain what factors might contribute to these trends. Once the teacher explains that projections are estimates of the population for future dates, the class discusses questions provided in the instructional plan. Students then work in teams to complete an activity sheet using the National Population Projection website. The activity concludes with the teacher engaging students in a discussion about their exploration.

Students will be able to:

  • Analyze population projections for the United States.
  • Describe the shape and important features of that data set, with an emphasis on how the data are distributed over time.

NCTM Standards and Expectations covered in this lesson include:

  • Recognizing the differences in representing categorical and numerical data.
  • Representing data using tables and graphs such as line plots, bar graphs, and line graphs.
  • Describing the shape and important features of a set of data and comparing related data sets, with an emphasis on how the data are distributed.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use data and simple probability concepts.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including circle graphs and tables) to solve problems.

Grade 4

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs, probability, and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including line graphs and bar graphs) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including line graphs and bar graphs) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.03: Solve problems by comparing two sets of related data.
    • Objective 4.04: Design experiments and list all possible outcomes and probabilities for an event.

Grade 5

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including stem-and-leaf plots) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.02: Compare and contrast different representations of the same data; discuss the effectiveness of each representation.
    • Objective 4.03: Solve problems with data from a single set or multiple sets of data using median, range, and mode.