The U.S. Census Bureau

Educational Resources at the Census Bureau

The federal government produces a wealth of data on all aspects of national life, data that can be used to expand the educational experience of our children. This page provides links to a variety of educational materials from the Census Bureau and from other federal agency websites that present federal data in the form of lesson plans and classroom activities that enrich the educational process with projects and exercises based on real data.

Lesson Plans Using Census Data
The U. S. Census Bureau is the home of the Census in Schools project. The purpose of the project is to help students understand the importance and benefits of the census; to promote awareness and encourage greater participation in the national census at the local level; and to improve the accuracy of the census.

TIGER Map Server
You and your students can create your own maps online with the features you wish to include. A great resource for social studies, math or science.

American FactFinder Mapping Resources
American FactFinder gives you and your students an online mapping tool to create reference maps and thematic maps. Reference maps let you view the boundaries for the geographic areas of your choice. Thematic maps let you view geographic patterns for commonly requested statistics.

Federal Websites for Students
Links to the best educational websites managed by federal agencies for youngsters and for students in grades K-12.

Sources for National Educational Standards
Links to the sources for curriculum standards in all states.

Teacher Resources on the Web
Links to government educational websites that feature lesson plans in math, science and social studies. These lesson plans usually include classroom activities and projects that use the Internet.
 

Lesson Plans Using Census Bureau Data

Subject Area
Grade K-4
Grade 5-8
Grade 9-12
Introduction
 Scope & Sequence, Table of Contents, How to Use This Guide Scope & Sequence, Table of Contents, How to Use This Guide Scope & Sequence, Table of Contents, How to Use This Guide
Map Literacy
 Chapter 1: Greater States (Gr K-2) Chapter 1: A History of the Census (Gr 5-6) Chapter 1: Size It Up (Gr 9-10)
Chapter 2: Kids Count (Gr 3-4) Chapter 2: Where We Live (Gr 7-8) Chapter 2: Make Your Own Map (Gr 11-12)
Community Involvement
 Chapter 3: Where You Belong (Gr K-2) Chapter 3: Fill in Your Future (Gr 5-6) Chapter 3: Future Focus (Gr 9-10)
Chapter 4: Questions for Today (Gr 3-4) Chapter 4: Making Plans (Gr 7-8) Chapter 4: District Decisions (Gr 11-12)
Managing Data
 Chapter 5: My Favorite Birthday (Gr K-2) Chapter 5: Create Your Own Form (Gr 5-6) Chapter 5: Samples & Stats (Gr 9-10)
Chapter 6: Getting There (Gr 3-4) Chapter 6: Graph It! (Gr 7-8) Chapter 6: Forecasting the Future (Gr 11-12)
Maps
 We Count!! (Color) We Count!! (Color) We Count!! (Color)
We Count!! (Black & White) We Count!! (Black & White) We Count!! (Black & White)
Population Density Population Density
American Indian Reservations American Indian Reservations

Lesson Plan Links

Mathematics

Department of Agriculture
National Science Foundation

Science

Department of Agriculture
National Science Foundation
Agricultural Research Service
Department of Energy
Federal Railroad Administration
Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of Health and Human Services
U. S. Geological Survey
National Institutes on Drug Abuse
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network
Bonneville Power Administration

Social Studies

Social Security Administration
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Federal Railroad Administration
U. S. Geological Survey
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Marketing Services Office, Research, Planning and Evaluation Staff

For additions or corrections contact Bill Crews at 301-457-4081.

Created: December 13 1999

Last revised: February 17 2000