Karen A. Beitler
Many studies document the need for education of children on how they contribute to the health of their environment (Rutherford, J.F., & Ahlgren, A.1991). Organizing data is one way to help students understand their environment and be more successful. By teaching students how information can be organized, we increase their understanding of the meaning the data. Schools are identified as key settings for children to learn about the world as it grows and changes around them (DiTrolio, R.2002). Understanding the statistics of world through graphic interpretation may be a way to help students relate to population information. The world of high-speed internet has increased the transfer of information. Students can find out about what is happening in any part of the world in a matter of seconds (Bajorek, K.2008). Worldwide information and events may affect how we think and act. Our first responsibility in educating young people about the populations of the world is in teaching them to understand population growth and the effects humans have on the earth. This unit attempts to lead students through organization of data to make the interpretation and understanding clear and to express a specific meaning in the presentation of data.
The state embedded task calls for students to read and interpret population’s pyramids created by the US Census Bureau. The task calls for analysis of the size, shape and meaning of the population from a developed country in contrast to an undeveloped country. To complete this task, students should have a clear understanding of the conditions that influence populations and how this information is interpreted from a population pyramid. Further, students explore projected results for populations and determine the affects of technology on these populations. Lastly, students need to collate this information into a formal presentation.
