South Carolina ETV
Barefoot and Pregnant (Grade 10)
Master Teacher
Domer F. Ridings
Time Allotment
90 minutes
Overview
This lesson will address the problem of a reduction in the world population growth rate being offset by a growing world population base. This problem is particularly true with the rapid population growth in many Third World countries. The lesson will incorporate video and the Internet.
Subject Matter
Human Geography
World Geography
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Name and describe the Four Stages of Demographic Transition;
- Use population pyramids to identify countries in each of the four stages;
- Explain some problems involved with demographic transition as related to third world countries;
- Use population pyramids to make predictions about the future of countries.
South Carolina Standards
Visit the SC Standards Web site
The learner will demonstrate an under-standing of the role of human systems on earth. The student should be able to:
10.7.1 recognize the reasons for trends in numbers and patterns in the world population;
10.7.9 compare settlement patterns in undeveloped and developing countries.
Media Components
Video
World Population-Millennium Edition
This seven-minute video is a graphic simulation of world population growth. As the years roll by on a digital clock from 1 A.D. to 2030, dots light up on an illustrated map to represent millions of people added to the population. Historic references on the screen place population changes in context.
Available from-
Population Connection
1400 16th Street Suite 320
Washington DC 20036
$26.00 including shipping
To learn more, visit Population Connection's Web
Web Site
IDB Population Pyramids. Part of the United States Census Bureau's Web site, this page allows you to access international data bases.
Materials
handouts of population pyramids
Equipment
- computer with Power Point softaware and a projection system
- world wall map
- video player and television
Prep for Teachers
Select a series of countries whose population pyramids reflect the four stages of demographic transition. Make handouts with these pyramids. The population pyramids can be accessed from the IDB Population Pyramids Web site.
- Boot computer and set up the Power Point presentation. The Power Point presentation can be found on line at the South Carolina ETV NTTI site. Click on Lesson Plans and then click 9-12th grade. Scroll down the screen to Social Studies, Grades 9-12, and look for Barefoot and Pregnant.
- If you don't have access to the Internet, use the printed pages from the Power Point presentation that can be found beginning immediately after page 304.
- Make copies of the Population Pyramid Handouts at the end of this lesson for each student to use when completing the Assessment.
- When using media, provide students with a Focus for Media Interaction, a specific task to complete and/or information to identify during or after viewing of video segments, Web sites or other multimedia elements.
Introductory Activity
Step 1: Use the video World Population to illustrate the rapid and dangerous growth of population over the past 100 years.
FAST FORWARD the video to the year 1800. (On the screen along the bottom you will see 1800.) PLAY the video and PAUSE when 1900 appears on the bottom of the screen. Provide students with a Focus for Media Interaction by asking them to look for changes in the population growth between 1800 and 1900. Ask them what they think caused these changes.
Step 2: Provide students with a Focus for Media Interaction by asking them to look for changes in world population growth and in what areas the most rapid changes seem to be occurring. PLAY the remainder of the video. Ask students why they think these changes might be taking place.
(Answers: From 1800 until the middle of the 19th century, population did not grow at a very fast rate. Through the second half of the 19th century and into the 20th century, the population growth began to increase rapidly. Reasons for this change might be the Industrial Revolution, better health care, better food, and generally better living conditions. Students should identify the counties that have the most rapid growth as those we generally call Third World. Why these changes might be occurring should lead to the discussion of demographic transition.)Learning Activity
Step 1: Using the Power Point presentation, introduce students to the Demographic Transition Model and the Population Pyramid. Show students how the population moves through the four stages and may reach a fifth stage.
Step 2: Go to the US Census Bureau site (http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbpyr. html) to reach the population pyramids for world countries
Select countries that represent the different stages in demographic transition. Countries that fit into Stage 1 are those of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East; Stage 2 countries could be India, China, and the countries of Southeast Asia; Stage 3 countries are those of South America; Stage 4 countries could be Japan, the United States, or Australia; and Stage 5 countries are most of the industrial countries of Northern Europe.
Provide students with a Focus for Media Interaction by having them describe the shapes of these pyramids and explain how they fit into the transition model.
Students should look at the base of the pyramid. Pyramids with wide bases and narrow tops represent countries in the first two stages of demographic transition. These are countries with rapid or increasing population growth.
Pyramids with narrower bases and more rectangular shapes represent countries in Stages 3 and 4 with declining or stable populations.
Pyramids that are narrower at the base than at the top may represent Stage 5 with the possibility of negative population growth. (See the pyramid for Russia.)
(Note to Teacher: You may use the dynamic option on the US Census Bureau Web site to show how the population will change if growth continues at the present rate over the next 50 years. This may be useful in seeing how the students' predictions work out.)
Culminating Activity
Step 1: Select pyramids from several countries in different stages and have students make predictions as to the problems that these countries might face in the future.
Some examples are-
Algeria-Presently in Stage 2 moving towards Stages 3 and 4. Reaching stable population growth by 2050. Visit Web site
Benin-Presently in Stage 1 and moving towards Stage 2. However its base is so large that even a reduction in the birth rate will not have much effect, as the base population is so large. A look at the 2025 and 2050 pyramids show tremendous population growth that cannot but strain the resources of a developing country. Visit Web site
Brazil-Presently in Stage 3 and moving towards Stage 4. Its base is already narrowing with its peak beginning to widen. As its moves towards 2025 and 2050 its shape becomes more rectangular showing a stabilizing population. Economic growth and development along with changes in attitudes towards family size and the role of women might be mentioned as causes. Visit Web site
Assessment
Give students copies of population pyramids at the end of this lesson and have them identify the stage of demographic transition each represents. (Note to Teacher: The answers immediately follow the pyramids.)
Cross-Curricular Extensions
Economics: Students could research the economic development of countries in various demographic stages and draw conclusions from this.
Environmental Science: Students could research the effects of population growth on the environment. Students could debate the development of Amazonian rainforest vs. the need to preserve these areas because of the impact on the world's environment.
Community Connections
Have speakers representing different countries speak to the class about population growth in their countries
Student Materials
- paper
- pencils
- colored pencils

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