Lessons Using Census 2000 Data

In Spring 2000, families across the nation participated in Census 2000. The Census Bureau has begun tabulating the responses from the millions of questionnaires. On December 28, 2000, the first Census 2000 numbers, showing the state population totals for April 1, 2000, were released. The following teaching suggestions and worksheets will give you and your students an opportunity to learn about the changes that took place in our country during the 1990s.

Census 2000 Lesson 1

Skills and Objectives:
Read tables to gather information about the April 1, 2000 U.S. population.
Analyze information from tables and maps.

Materials:
State of the States [pdf] Worksheet
State of the States [pdf] Teacher’s Answer Key
Table T1 [pdf] Data Source

Census 2000 Lesson 2

Skills and Objectives:
Read tables to gather information about the April 1, 2000 U.S. population.
Compose a paragraph to describe population change in students' state.
Analyze information from tables and maps.

Materials:
State of Your State [pdf] Worksheet
State of Your State [pdf] Sample Paragraph
Table T1 [pdf] Data Source

Census 2000 Quick Tips (Math and Social Studies Activities)

1. MATH Activities

   Skills and Objectives:
   Do math calculations (ranking, subtraction, and percentages) to complete a table showing Census 2000 population totals.
   Use Census 2000 data to create spreadsheets.
   Analyze information from tables and maps.

   Student Data Source:
   "Student Table 1" [pdf]

   Teacher Data Sources:
   www.census.gov/population/cen2000/tab04.pdf
   www.census.gov/population/cen2000/tab05.pdf

2. SOCIAL STUDIES Activities

   Skills and Objectives:
   Construct choropleth (thematic) maps.
   Analyze information from tables and maps.
   Discuss the impact of the Census 2000 apportionment counts on their state and the nation.
   Read tables to gather information about the April 1, 2000 U.S. population.

   Data Sources:
   www.census.gov/population/cen2000/tab04.pdf
   www.census.gov/population/cen2000/tab05.pdf