Populations

Title: World Populations / Population Pyramids

Author: Sarah White

Grade Level: 9-12

Subject/Content: Social Studies / Current Events / World Studies / Geography / Government

Summary of Lesson: Students will learn about population growth, the potential issues associated with the world's growing population and evaluate public policy in the area of population growth.

Focus Question: Why is population growth a concern and should governments use legal regulations to control population growth?

Databases(s):   Gale Virtual Reference Library

Procedures:

• This lesson may be directly integrated with a Biology or Environmental Science class studying populations or can be incorporated into a Social Studies unit on population and government policy.

Steps / Activities by the teacher: 

• Provide student access to the Gale Virtual Reference Library.
• InfoMark the articles listed below in the Gale Virtual Reference Library for student access. More information and directions on how to use InfoMarks can be found at http://www.gale.com/infomarks.
• "Population Growth and Control"
• "One-Child Policy"
• "Demographic Aspects of Population Policies"
• "Population Policy"
• "Population Growth and Control"
• "Demography"
• "Momentum of Population Growth"
• "Family Planning"
• Have graph paper and data for students to create Population Pyramids.  More information and data for Population Pyramids can be found at www.populationconnection.org

Steps/Activities by student(s):

• Using the "InfoMarked" articles students should answer the following questions:
• Define carrying capacity and family planning.
• What factors have escalated human population growth?
• Why is population growth a concern?
• What are some ways that countries have tried to limit population growth?  How effective have they been?
• After researching this information students will discuss their answers as a class.
• Students will write a two – three paragraph response to the following using specific information from the population research: "What should be done to address the issue of population growth in developed, developing and third-world countries?  Be specific and explain your opinion using the research you have gathered."

Outcome: Students will better understand the issues related to population growth and will have developed and educated opinion of how to handle this issue.

Related Activities: Students will then get instruction in creating Population Pyramids and will create Pyramids for 4 countries using data provided in class.

Standard Date: Approved

Content Standard(s):

• Construct reasoned judgments about specific cultural responses to persistent human issues.
• Investigate, interpret and analyze multiple historical and contemporary viewpoints within and across cultures related to important events, recurring dilemmas, and persistent issues, while employing empathy, skepticism and critical judgment.
• Use appropriate resources, data sources and geographic tools such as aerial photographs, satellite images, geographic information systems (GIS), map projections and cartography to generate, manipulate and interpret information such as atlases, data bases, grid systems, charts, graphs and maps.
• Examine persistent issues involving the rights, roles and status of the individual in relation to the general welfare.
• Analyze the causes, consequences and possible solutions to persistent, contemporary and emerging global issues, such as health, security, resource allocation, economic development and environmental quality.
• Locate, access, analyze, organize, synthesize, evaluate and apply information about selected public issues — identifying, describing and evaluating multiple points of view.

Performance Indicators:

• At Level 1, the student is able to:
  • Identify the causes of population growth and the potential problems of this issue.
• At Level 2, the student is able to:
  • Use population pyramids to analyze needs created by changing populations.
• At Level 3, the student is able to:
  • Evaluate worldwide public policy on the issue of population growth.

Computer Literacy and Usage Standards 9-12:

• The student will develop skills using a variety of computer resources to increase productivity, support creativity, conduct and evaluate research and improve communications.
• The student will use technology resources to improve problem solving and decision making skills and apply these skills to real world situations.

ISTE NETS for Students

• Routinely and efficiently use online information resources to meet needs for collaboration, research, publication, communication and productivity.
• Select and apply technology tools for research, information analysis, problem solving and decision making in content learning. 

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 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.
• Standard 9: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

InfoMark resources are linked directly to your Gale databases. To find out more about InfoMarks, visit www.gale.com/InfoMarks.