Educational Activities The Winnipeg School Division No. 1
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Social Studies - Comparing Canada to Other World Communities

Math
Yes

SocialStudies
Yes

Description
Students will use the Internet to research the populations of various countries. The results will be entered on a spreadsheet, graphed and interpreted by the stuents.

MultiClassPlan
Yes

Tech Skills
research using the Internet, spreadsheet, graphing, word processing

Software
Internet browser, word processor, spreadsheet (MSWorks)

MiddleYears
Yes

SpecificGrade:
7

SubmittedBy
Andrea Hamilton, Aaron Benarroch

E-mail: ahamilton@wsd1.org

Details:

Comparing Populations

Internet Web Source - CIA World Fact Book
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/country-frame.html

1. Select 4-8 countries to compare with Canada.
2. From the above website find the populations for each country.
3. Enter  all data into a spreadsheet. Countries are entered into column A and populations into column B rounded off to nearest 100,000.
4. Highlight the data and select the graph tool.
5. Copy and paste the graph into a word processor.
6. Answer the questions below the graph (questions should be under the graph.) These are sample questions only that can be
modified.

Sample Questions
1. List your countries from largest to smallest population (raw population and/or density)?
2. Which country has the largest population?
3. Which country has the smallest population?
4. What is the range of populations on your graph?
5. What is the middle number (median) on the population graph?
6. What is the difference between the largest and smallest population?
7. What two countries are closest to Canada’s population?

Extended Activities

Have the students research the population of 5 or 6 of the Pan American countries that
will be participating in the 1999 Pan American Games. Make sure that all of the 42
countries are assigned. Make a large graph showing the population range of these
countries. Ask students to predict which countries will send the most athletes and then
find out how close their predictions are. Do the same with medal predictions. Have
students speculate as to why some countries win more medals than others.

Have students research population per square mile (or kilometre).  This might be more useful for some things.  This is also useful at Grade 7.