Activity 4: Want to Get a Job? (40-60 minutes)

This activity models drawing a line graph and trend analysis, and provides an opportunity for students to further develop/refine their graphing skills.

Expectations

  • demonstrate an understanding of employment patterns and trends;
  • construct a variety of graphs, charts, diagrams, maps, and models to organize information.

Assessment

  • self-assessment of graph and analysis using a criterion-referenced assessment outline

Teaching/Learning Strategies

  1. The class identifies the characteristics of an effective graph. (Line Graph Rubric, Appendix 4.1) The class comes to a consensus about the distribution of marks for each of the required components. Note: The list of characteristics will be the criteria used to assess the graph and used for a marking scheme.
  2. Model the formation of a simple line graph using the data for population growth for the United States (United States Population Growth, 1868-1998, Appendix 4.2) on the blackboard or on an overhead (Teacher’s Sample Line Graph, Appendix 4.3).
  3. Explain the term "trend". Trend means the direction the line is going. A positive growth line moves up and to the right, showing an increase over time.
  4. Demonstrate an analysis of the graph, such as: "The United State’s population is growing. The rate of growth is faster in the 20th century. There are three periods: 1868-1908, 1908-1958 and 1958-1998, when the rate of growth was quite different from each other."
  5. Each student completes a line graph of employment data following the criteria established in Strategy 1. Use the data in United States: Full-time Employment, 1993-1997 (millions), Appendix 4.4.
  6. As an assignment for their scrapbook, students research to find one statistic on employment in their country.

Modifications/Expanded Opportunities

  • Review basic graphing techniques with some students.
  • Although some students might want to create the graph on a computer, it would be more appropriate for them to demonstrate their graphic skills on paper.

Resources: overhead projector, squared graph paper, colored pencils

 

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