This lesson introduces 4th grade students to the concept of a census by having them look at population numbers of children ages 5-9 in each US state from the 1990 census. Students will fill out a worksheet matching state abbreviations to population numbers written in word form using a map key. They will then color code their maps to show which states had the most, fewer, or fewest children based on population thresholds. The goal is for students to practice reading and writing large numbers as well as learning about how census data is used.

1. Kids Count!
By: Brenda Arauz, Colleen Bannon, Brooke Hammer, Carmie Kua and Estela Vasquez
Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, the students will be introduced to the word census. The teacher will discuss with
the class the meaning and importance of this word. The students will be given a map of the
United States with population numbers of children ages 5 to 9. They will also fill in a worksheet
with the correct population numbers and state names.
Part 1: Preparation and Goals
Number of Leaders: 1 classroom teacher
Grade of Student Participants: 4th Grade
Number of Sessions: 1
Length of Session: 50 minutes
Materials:
Map of the United States with children populations, map worksheet, and three colored
pencils for each child.
California State Standards in Mathematics Grade Four: Number Sense
1.1 Read and write whole numbers in the millions.
1.3 Round whole numbers through the millions to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand, ten
thousand, or hundred thousand.
Student Objectives:
The students will be reintroduced to the concept of place value in relation to population. They
will have the opportunity to read large numbers in word form and then write these numbers in
standard notation. The term census will be presented and the importance of being counted will
be explained. The students will also be able to look at a map of the United States with state
abbreviations.

2. Part 2: LESSON PLAN
Central Activity: (50 minutes)
The teacher will begin by explaining the concept of a census and will share the importance of
being counted. She will tell the students that a census is conducted every ten years to help
determine population. The teacher will explain to the students that it is extremely important for
children to be counted as well. She will ask the children to think about what kinds of things a
place would need to have if there were a lot of children. If the students have difficulty with this
question the teacher could suggest things like, schools, day care centers, playgrounds, etc. She
will then tell the children that government agencies use census information to determine the
number of these services to provide. The teacher will inform the students that they can work in
pairs for the following activity. The teacher will then hand out the map to the students and
explain that each state is abbreviated and that the number on each state is the amount of children
ages 5-9. She will tell the students that the information on this map was taken from the census
done in 1990. She will then pass out the worksheet with the population numbers in word form
and with the state names. She will explain that the students will use the map to fill out this
worksheet. She will tell the children to look at number one and to read the number and then
write the number in standard notation. She will then tell the children to find this population
number on the map to see which state it corresponds to. She will also tell the children that after
they have finished the worksheet, they need to choose three colored pencils. She will instruct the
students to fill in the three boxes in the key with three different colors. One color for “Most,”
“Fewer,” and “Fewest.” The populations with 500,000 or more will be considered most, 150,000
to 499,000 will be considered fewer, and the populations with 149,999 or less will be considered
fewest. After the children have finished coloring their maps, they will have a visual
representation of kid populations.
Closing:
The teacher will circulate around the room and check the student’s progress to ensure they
understand the assignment. Once most of the children have finished, the class will correct the
worksheet together and discuss the maps. The teacher will discuss with the class the possibility
of updating the population totals for children using information from the U.S. Census Bureau’s
website.
Works Cited:
“Kids Count.” Teacher Vision. n.d. Web. 7 March 2012.
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/math/printable/4459.html?detoured=1