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Activities
Resources
Standards
About
Beyond Population - Using Different Types of Density to Understand Land Use
Activity Description
Students will use images, U.S. Census Bureau data, and interactive maps to visualize and calculate arithmetic (population), agricultural, and physiological densities at local, regional, and national scales. They will also transfer their calculations to bar graphs.
Suggested Grade Level
12
Approximate Time Required
180 Minutes
Learning Objectives
- Students will be able to identify and explain where and why density is highest along four major U.S. interstates.
- Students will be able to calculate arithmetic (population), agricultural, and physiological densities at the state and national levels.
- Students will be able to design and create bar graphs to visualize and compare the density levels of a U.S. state with national levels.
Materials Required
- The student version of this activity, 19 pages; it contains images that should be printed in color.
- Calculators
- Colored pencils
- Teacher computer with Internet access and a projector to display web sites
A computer with Internet access for each student is preferred but optional.
Activity Items
The following items are part of this activity.
- Beyond Population: Definitions
- Density Analysis Images
This activity also uses the following online tools:
- U.S. Census Interactive Map – “I-95 Population Density Profile, 2010”
- U.S. Census Interactive Map – “I-5 Population Density Profile, 2010”
- U.S. Census Interactive Map – “I-10 Population Density Profile, 2010”
- U.S. Census Interactive Map – “I-90 Population Density Profile, 2010”
Teacher Notes
Blooms Taxonomy
Applying
Students will apply their understanding of density and create bar graphs that show the population density at state and national levels.
Subject
High School Geography
Topics
- Agricultural density
- Arithmetic (population) density
- Human population characteristics
- Physiological density
Skills Taught
- Calculating density
- Creating a bar graph
- Reading and interpreting maps
Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021
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