Web Activity Lesson Plans

Chapter 3: The World's People

Introduction
Students have read about the world's rapidly growing population. As the population increases, each nation must make decisions about how to allocate its resources to meet the needs of its people. Demographers study the characteristics of population. Their work enables governments and businesses to make informed choices. One agency of the U.S. government that works with population figures is the U.S. Census Bureau.

Lesson Description
Students will visit the U.S. Census Bureau's Web site and research statistics on human population. They will answer several specific questions and then use one of the charts to create a line or bar graph depicting the changes in world population from the year -10,000 to the year 2000.

Instructional Objectives

The student will be able to research statistics on human population.

The student will be able to create a line or bar graph that depicts changes in world population.

Student Web Activity Answers

This figure changes daily. Check the Web site.

4.1 births per second; 1.8 deaths per second

2.3 natural increase per second

Graphs will vary based on student choices on time intervals and choice of line or bar graph.