Population

Title: Population - Technical Reading

Author: Rene Ribant-Amthor

Grade Level: 9-12

Subject/Content: English/Analyzing Technical Writing/Populations

Summary of Lesson: Students read a technical article on population growth and identify vocabulary and use of language, they demonstrate comprehension of the facts, and conclude by relating discoveries to their own experiences.

Focus Question: How does the current rate of population growth impact you and what can you do to help?

Databases(s): InfoTrac Student Edition

Procedures:

• This lesson may be taught in conjunction with social studies, biology, and math courses studying population growth or independently in an English course studying the analysis of technical writing.
• Steps/Activities by teacher:
  • Display the following Web site on your computer/TV/audiovisual screen: www.worldometers.info/
  • Instruct students to either view the Web site on class screen or their own if available
  • Instruct students to spend a few minutes looking at the information and the continuously calculating meters
  • Have students identify one meter or area that surprises them
  • Lead a class discussion in which the students express surprise, concern, and possible solutions for the information they are reading
  • Have students access InfoTrac Student Edition
• Steps/Activities by student(s):
  • Access InfoTrac Student Edition
  • Search for Janet Larsen
  • Select A Burgeoning World Population
  • Read the article
  • Find three words that are new to you, look up their meanings and write out the word and definition
  • Write a paragraph describing what kind of language Larsen writes in. Is the language descriptive? Look at her word choice and make inferences about why she chose the words she did
  • List five facts that you believe are the most important of the article
  • Write a paragraph explaining Larsen's three main points
  • Describe two of Larsen's concerns? Do the numbers support her concern?
  • Explain how the information presented in this article will affect you?
  • Propose what could be done to help this situation at the international level, national level, community level and individual level?

Outcome: Students will analyze a technical article about population growth and present possible solutions.

Related Activities:

• Students access Student Resource Center Gold
• Search Population Growth
• Read three more articles detailing the causes and effects of population growth
• Write a cause and effect essay on the topic of population growth

Standard Date: Approved 1996

Content Standard(s):

• Students read a wide variety of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary.
• Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features.
• Students employ a wide range of as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
• Students use a variety of technological and informational resources (e.g. libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
• Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.

Performance Indicators:

• At Level 1, the student is able to:
  • Read technical text with a focus on the use of language and vocabulary.
• At Level 2, the student is able to:
  • Read technical text for comprehension.
• At Level 3, the student is able to:
  • Analyze technical writing and relate it to their experiences.

Computer Literacy and Usage Standards 9-12:

• The student will demonstrate proficiency in the care of computer-based technology.
• The student will develop skills using a variety of computer resources to increase productivity, support creativity, conduct research, and improve communications.

ISTE NETS for Students

• Students are proficient in the use of technology.
• Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits and productivity.
• Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity and promote creativity.
• Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.

Information Power; Information Literacy Standards:

• Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.
• Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently.
• Standard 4: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues information related to personal interests.
• Standard 6: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.
• Standard 7: The students who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society.