Economic map of the world.

• Position: Using statistics

LESSON PLAN 4: INTERNATIONAL

BACKGROUND

Statistics can tell an awful lot about countries, which is why many governments and aid organizations rely so heavily on them as assessment tools. Life expectancy, the age of a country's population, the size of the economy, literacy rates--all provide clues to the health of a nation and its standing in the world.

BEFORE READING

* Ask how many students use statistics in their daily lives. Unless you have a class of math whizzes, the silence will be deafening. Remind students that statistics are used to keep track of everything from home runs to DVD sales.

CRITICAL THINKING/RESEARCH

* Have students search the almanac for countries with life expectancies in the 40s. Is there a correlation between low life expectancy and relatively low levels of per capita GDP? Why do people in wealthier countries tend to live longer than people in poor countries?

* Have a discussion on the links between economic development and the quality of life.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

* Why do you think African nations have higher under-15 populations than most European nations or the U.S.?

* What can you deduce about a country from its urban population percentage? Compare Japan's (79 %) to India's (29%). How do these countries compare on other indicators?

WRITING PROMPT

* Have students choose one statistical measure and write a short essay on the reasons for its variance around the globe.

FAST FACT

* Americans account for about 6 percent of the world population, but consume about 29 percent of the world's gasoline and 33 percent of its electricity.

WEB WATCH

www.census.gov/ipc/www/ popclockworld.html and www.census.gov/main/ www/popclock.html

The U.S. Census Bureau provides both a U.S. and World Population Clock.

QUIZ 3 > ALMANAC

1. -- is the second oldest country in North America, having achieved its independence from France in 1804.

2. -- -- is the only country in South America where Portuguese is the major language.

3. President Michelle Bachelet of the South American country of -- was once jailed after a military coup overthrew the democratically elected government of her country in 1973.

4. Asmara is the capital of -- , an African country that waged a 30-year war to win its independence from neighboring Ethiopia.

5. In January, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who holds degrees from the University of Colorado and Harvard University, became President of -- , an African country founded by freed American slaves in 1847.

6. The per capita GDP in...