Title of Unit: Nevada Geography Title of Lesson: Population Maps Submitted By: Gina Bogden

A. Summary of the Lesson Plan: This social studies lesson is designed for fourth grade students to learn about population distribution and density in Nevada and how to read a population map. B. Target Population: Grade Level: 4th grade Skill Level: students at all learning levels Grouping: whole group introduction, reading, discussion; small group question discussion; partner question discussion, closure; independent assessment

C. Materials: Where do People Live in Nevada handout elmo Pencils Paper Population map of Nevada D. Objectives: o NV State Social Studies Standards G5.4.4 Utilize different types of Nevada maps, i.e. population and physical maps, to understand spatial distribution. o Student-Friendly Standards I can use different types of Nevada maps to understand how population and physical features are spread throughout the state. E. Procedure: 1. Introduce the topic: Ask students whether they live in an area where there are few people or many people. Do they live in a town or a city, or in the country? Are the houses and building spread out or close together. Have students describe where they live. Tell students that in this lesson they will learn about population distribution in Nevada. 2. Read aloud the handout, Where Do People Live in Nevada. Review the definition of population, population distribution, and population density. 3. Explain that the population density of Clark County is about 247 people per square mile. The population density of Nye County is 2 people per square mile. Discuss how the population of Nye County is distributed sparsely in comparison with the denser population of Clark County. Help students understand that a square mile is an area of land that measures one mile on each side. Tell students that Nevada has an average population density of about 18 people per square mile. However, more than 85% of the entire states population lives in only two counties, Clark and Washoe. Ask students to discuss with their shoulder partner what this tells us about population distribution in
Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2013 Karen Powell- Instructor page 1

Title of Unit: Nevada Geography Title of Lesson: Population Maps Submitted By: Gina Bogden

Nevada, then call on a few students for their answer. Make sure students understand that Nevadas population is unevenly distributed. 4. Students will discuss the following questions (projected on the elmo) with their table group (consisting of 4 students): Do you think the population density is high or low where you live? Why do you think population density is so low in Nye County? Would you like to live in an area with high or low population density? Why? Teacher will call on several students to give their answer to the questions and discuss as a whole group. 5. Project the population map of Nevada on the elmo and discuss with students the map key and what this map shows.

6. CLOSURE: Have students discuss with their face partner what they learned today about population distribution in Nevada. Ask a few students to respond. F. Assessment: What will you use to measure student understanding? Students will pick one county from the population map of Nevada and write a description of the population density for that county. Explain how you will know students understand the concepts from the lesson. Students must Utilize different types of Nevada maps, i.e. population and physical maps, to understand spatial distribution. By doing a written description of the population density of a Nevada county, students will demonstrate that they understand how to use a population map and understand how population is distributed. G. Reflection: 1. Which part of the lesson do you think will be the easiest for you to teach? I think introducing the topic and reading and discussing the handout will be the easiest to teach. 2. Which part will be most challenging for you to teach? I think the discussion of the population map of Nevada will be the most difficult to teach because I think it would be easier to use a map with dots rather than colors. I tried to find a better map, but wasnt able to find one. 3. How will you follow up or extend this lesson?
EDEL 453 - Spring 2013 Karen Powell- Instructor page 2

Nevada State College

Title of Unit: Nevada Geography Title of Lesson: Population Maps Submitted By: Gina Bogden

As an extension to this lesson, I would have students research the population density of 5 other states and make a chart or graph comparing it to Nevadas. 4. What will you do for students who dont grasp the concepts? For students who dont understand the concepts in this lesson, I would discuss the population map used for the assessment, pointing out the key and what the different colors represent. Then I would ask them about the population in different counties. 5. Which part of the lesson, if any, do you think might need to change? I think this lesson needs a better population map of Nevada, preferably one that uses dots as described in the handout. The handout had one, but it was too hard to see the dots so I didnt use it. 6. When you were writing this lesson plan, what was the most difficult part? The most difficult part of writing this lesson was finding current population statistics and a population map of Nevada.

Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 3

Title of Unit: Nevada Geography Title of Lesson: Population Maps Submitted By: Gina Bogden

Where Do People Live in Nevada?

Population is the number of people who live in an area. Population distribution is the pattern of population across an area. For example, a city such as Carson City, Nevada, has many people living within its borders. In Nye County, however, few people live within the county borders, and their homes are spread throughout the county. To describe population distribution, we use the term population density. Population density is the average number of people over a certain area. To show population density, you can use a map or a chart. On some maps dots are used to represent a specific number of people. Many dots in a specific area means that a larger number of people live there. Fewer dots in a specific area means that a smaller number of people live there.

Adapted from scottforesman.com/state/nv/washoe/pdfs/g3_less11.pdf

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2013 Karen Powell- Instructor page 4

Title of Unit: Nevada Geography Title of Lesson: Population Maps Submitted By: Gina Bogden

Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 5