Title III Technology Literacy Challenge Grant

Learning Experience

LE Title: Graphing State Populations

Author(s):  Sandra Derrico

Grade Level:  8th

School Address:  ODYCS PO Box 125, Van Hornesville, NY  13475

Topic/Subject Area:  Graphing/Math

School Phone/Fax: (315) 858-3729

Email:

LEARNING CONTEXT

Purpose or Focus of Experience

The purpose of this learning experience is to enable students to develop a line, bar, and circle graph for the population of their assigned state in a series of 21 years (1970-1990) using Microsoft Excel. 

Connection to Standards

Standard 1:  Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

  Deductive and inductive reasoning are used to reach mathematical conclusions.

  Critical thinking skills are used in the solution of mathematical problems.

 

Standard 2:  Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies. 

Information technology is used to retrieve, process, and communicate information and as tool to enhance learning. 

Knowledge of the impacts and limitations of information systems is essential to its effective and ethical use.

Information technology can have positive and negative impacts on society, depending upon how it is used.

Standard 3:  Students will understand mathematics and became mathematically confident by communicating and reasoning mathematically, by applying mathematics in real-world settings, and by solving problems through the integrated study of number systems, geometry, algebra, data analysis, probability, and trigonometry.

Students use mathematical reasoning to analyze mathematical situations, make conjectures, gather evidence, and construct an argument.

Students use number sense and numeration to develop an understanding of the multiple uses of numbers in the real world, the use of numbers in the development of mathematical ideas.

4.  Students use mathematical modeling/multiple representation to provide

means of presenting, interpreting, communicating, and connecting mathematical information and relationships.

Standard 5:  Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs. 

Computers, as tools for design, modeling, information processing, communication, and system control have greatly increased human productivity and knowledge.

Standard 6:  Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to other areas of learning.

Models are simplified representations of objects, structures, or systems used in analysis, explanation, interpretation, or design. 

Identifying patterns of change is necessary for making predication about future behavior and conditions.

Essential Questions

Compare and contrast the population based on years for the state.

Draw conclusions on what year had the highest and lowest population.

What type of graph do you like the best and why?

What affects did technology have on your overall project?

Content Knowledge

                                             Declarative

      Procedural

Students will be able to demonstrate proper citations for documentation using MLA format (prerequisite from English).

Students will be able to extract population information from various resources.

Students will be able to draw conclusions from the graphs.

Students will be able to develop three types of graphs using Microsoft Excel.

PROCEDURE

(Chronologically ordered description of all teacher & student activities and interactions.)

Students will be assigned a state in English class.

Students will be given the “Population Worksheet.”  The worksheet asks the students to find the population of their state in various years.  The students will use almanacs, encyclopedias, on-line telecommunication services, and other available resources to find the populations for the given years.

Once all worksheets are complete the teacher will introduce the Microsoft Excel program to the students.  The teacher will explain how the program can be used to make various charts and types of graphs.

In a large group setting the teacher will instruct the students on how to create a file in Microsoft Excel.  The students will need to take notes on the procedure.

Go to the bottom of the computer screen and with the mouse click onto “Programs”

Move the mouse to “Microsoft Excel”

In the “A2” cell, enter the first year (1790).  In the “B2” cell, enter the second year and so on and so forth until all years are entered across the second row

In the “A3” cell enter the word “Population” in bold letters

Enter the population numbers found for each year indicated 

Once all information is entered, click the mouse onto “File”

Click onto “Save As”

Click the arrow to the right of the “Save In” drop down list

Select “3 ½ Floppy (A)”

In the “File Name” box type in “State Populations”

Click the mouse to “Save”

In-groups of five, the students will use the Microsoft Excel program to enter their information as instructed.  The teacher will give assistance when necessary.

When all students have entered their data into the computer, the teacher will instruct the students on how to create various types of graphs.

Open the “State Population” file

Highlight with the mouse all of the cells that have data in them

Click “Insert” from the menu bar

Choose “Chart.”  The Chart Wizard appears.

Select the type of chart you wish to create and select one of the 3-D charts under “Chart Sub-type”

Click “Next”

With the “Titles” tab selected, click inside the “Chart Title” text box and type the title of the graph

Type in the labels for the x-axis and y-axis

Click “Finish”

Students will need to re-save the file.

Students will print out the graphs.

Students will complete the attached worksheet “Drawing Conclusions.”  The worksheet asks the students questions about the graphs.

INSTRUCTIONAL/ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS

There will be no instructional or environmental modifications.  The computers are located along the side wall of the room for easy access by everyone.  Students with disabilities will receive more individualized assistance if needed.

TIME REQUIRED

Twenty minutes of class time will be needed to explain the project to the students.

Two 40-minute class periods will be needed to allow the students to find the population information.  The students must complete the population worksheet outside of class if necessary.

One 40-minute class period is needed to explain Microsoft Excel and how the students are to enter their data into the program.

Two or three 40-minute class periods are needed for all students to actually enter the information into the computer.

One 40-minute class period is needed to instruct the students on how to design the graphs.

Two or three 40-minute class periods are needed for all students to create the graphs.

One class period will be needed for the students to complete the “Drawing Conclusions” worksheet.

RESOURCES

Almanacs

Encyclopedias

Other materials that list state populations by years

Computers with on-line access

Computers with the Microsoft Excel program

Computer printers

Population worksheet

Drawing Conclusions worksheet

ASSESSMENT PLAN

(Include samples of rubrics, checklists, etc.)


Name

Date

Period Number

Graphing Rubric

Task Component

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

1 Point

0 Points

Completeness

Population worksheet complete, all info. typed into Excel, graphs made from Excel, and Drawing Conclusion worksheet complete

Population worksheet complete, all info. typed into Excel, and graphs made from Excel

Population worksheet and all information typed into Excel

Population worksheet complete

Nothing Done

Accuracy on finding populations and entering into Excel

All population numbers are correct and all info. entered into Excel are correct

3/4 of population worksheet is correct and 3/4  are entered into Excel are correct

1/2 population worksheet is correct and 1/2 are entered into Excel are correct

1/2 of the population numbers are correct and work in Excel not complete

All information is incorrect

Organization

Completed work provides an accurate and through structure for the information

Completed work provides an accurate structure for the information

Completed work provides some structure for the information

Completed work provides little appropriate structure for the information

Completed work has no structure

Quality of Graphs

All graphs have titles, axis labeled, have scales or keys, and graphs use color

All graphs have titles, axis labeled, and have scales or keys

All graphs have titles and axis are labeled

All graphs have titles

Not all graphs complete

Drawing Conclusions worksheet

Entire worksheet correct

3/4 of worksheet correct

1/2 of worksheet correct

Less than 1/2 of worksheet correct

Worksheet not complete

Comments

Total Score:


STUDENT WORK

(Include samples of student work showing different levels of performance.)

No work is available at this time.  Students are currently working on the project.

REFLECTION

The experience is a well-organized activity for both the teacher and student.  It gives reinforcement and hands-on experience with several types of graphs.  The activity allows the students to be creative and to link knowledge from English Language Arts, social studies, and technology to mathematics.  The experience enables the students to use modern technology to solve real-world mathematical problems.  A thorough understanding of graphing will transfer well to success with graphs in other content areas. 


Name __________________          Date___________

Period Number__________

Population Worksheet

Directions:  With your assigned state, you are to research using various resources (Internet, almanacs, encyclopedias, ect.) the population for the given years.  Give you citations at the bottom of the page. 

Your State is_____________________________________.

1790________________       12.  1900____________

1800________________       13.  1910____________

1810________________       14.  1920____________

1820________________       15.  1930____________

1830________________       16.  1940____________

1840________________       17.  1950____________

1850________________       18.  1960____________

1860________________       19.  1970____________

1870________________       20.  1980____________

1880________________       21.  1990____________

1890________________

Citations: 


Name________________                                      Date_____________

Period Number_______

Conclusions Worksheet

Directions:  Answer in complete sentences the following questions based on your graphs. 

What year did your state have the highest population?

What year did your state have the least amount of people?

Between what two years did the population vary the most?

In words explain how you found the answer to number 3.  (Between what two years did the population vary the most?)

On the bar graph, what is the x-axis labeled?

Using the line graph, what is the y-axis

labeled?

On the line graph, what is the scale?

Between the years 1890 and 1900 was the trend going up or down?

What type of graph do you like better?  Explain your answer.

What do you predict the population in your state will be this year (2000)?

Write a one-paragraph response to how technology has influenced your project.