Population Pyramid

Designed by: Valerie C. James    School: Gibbes Middle School

Grade Level: 7th        Subject: World Geography

Core Curriculum Objective(s): Use and interpret charts, bar graphs, circle graphs, time lines, etc.  (WG1-11)

South Carolina Social Studies Strand:  Describe the population growth, size, density, and distribution in each world culture region and linkages to global issues.  (7.3.4)

Overview: The geographically informed person must understand that the growth, distribution, and movement of people on the earth are the driving forces behind human events-social, cultural, political, and economic-and certain physical events-resource depletion, and ecological interference. Growth pyramids are instruments used by geographers to describe present and future patterns of population. Population pyramids can indicate the differential effects of past events, such as wars, famine, disease, improved sanitation and medical care on birth and death rates.

Focus/Essential Question: How can population pyramids be used to discover vital information about countries in the world? Can inferences be made about labor forces, infant mortality, quality of medical services, etc? Can information gained be used in planning for the future?

Time Frame: two fifty minute periods

Resources/Materials: 
graph paper 
colored pencils 
rulers 
transparency of population pyramid example 
www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbnew.html 
access to computers and television/computer hookup

Culminating Assessment: Students will construct a population pyramid using data provided. They will name this fictitious country. After constructing the pyramid, students will write a paragraph describing events that may have happened in their fictitious country which would account for the "shape" of the pyramid.

Instructional Activities: Teacher will begin the lesson with a review of the concepts of population, population density, census, statistics, demographic, and projection. Teacher will introduce the term population pyramid.

Activity One 
Using a prepared transparency (see Appendix A), the teacher will go over parts of a population pyramid. (title, age categories, male/female x axis and y axis, key) Teacher may want to use overhead markers to draw attention to these main elements. If desired, teacher may use a television screen and computer to show various countries' population pyramids.

Activity Two 
Using internet site www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbnew.html, students will choose countries and using computer resources, explore population pyramid summaries. Students should be divided into groups of two or three. The groups should pick countries that are from different continents to research. Then students will work together to complete worksheets comparing two countries that they have selected. (see Appendix B)

Note to Teacher: You may want to help students choose countries that may have population discrepancies due to the effects of famine, war, or emigration. You may also need to discuss infant and child mortality in underdeveloped countries. Generate class discussions about the population growth, size, discrepancies in age groups numbers, projected increases and decreases in future, etc.

Activity Three 
Students will be required to create a population pyramid using information provided. They will use graph paper and colored pencils. The teacher will need to help the students decide on a scale to use on the graph. Students will be required to write a paragraph concerning their population pyramid when completed. A rubric will be given to students before they begin the project.

The finished product will be graded using a rubric. (see Appendix C) Grade will be determined by adding up the points circled. Divide total points earned by total points possible. Finished products will be displayed.

Appendix A

Scan or place US Census Bureau Population Summary for Algeria here

http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ipc/idbpyrs.pl?cty=AG&out=s&ymax=250

Appendix B

Population Pyramid Worksheet 

Name(s) 
_____________________ 

_____________________ 

_____________________ 

www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbnew.html 

click on population pyramids

Answer the following questions:

What two countries did you choose? On what continents are these countries located?

Country #1________________________ Continent? _____________

Country #2________________________ Continent? _____________

Using the year 2000 data:

Which country has a larger population under the age of 19? (be sure to check whether the population is shown in thousands or millions)

Which country has a smaller population over the age of 65?

Why would information about the population under 19 and over 65 be considered useful to a government in its planning?

Why are both pyramids smaller near the top?

Using 2000, 2025, and 2050 data:

Is there a trend in the projected future populations for each country? (Are the bars getting larger or smaller? In what age groups?)

Country ______________________

Country ______________________

What could account for the trends?

Appendix C 

Population Pyramid Scheme 

Name_______________________________________________

Now that you have studied various population pyramids, you are to construct a population pyramid using the data provided below. You are to create a name for your fictitious country.

Using a scale in thousands with intervals of ______, construct a population pyramid.

After completing your population pyramid, write a paragraph explaining why your country's population has a large indentation on one side. Be creative.

Questions to address:

Is your pyramid symmetrical? 

What could be a possible explanation for difference in the male and female sides? 

Think of a possible scenario that may account for the difference? 

Appendix D 

Rubric for Population Pyramid 

Name ___________________________________________________