Lesson Plan - Predicting the World Population

About the Article

Learning Objective

Students will integrate information from an article, map, and chart to understand changes in population.

Curriculum Connections

• Population Density
• Geographic Distributions and Patterns
• Statistics
• Migration

Key Skills

Social Studies:

• Explore the characteristics and distribution of the human population on Earth’s surface
• Study global connections and migration
• Analyze a population density map and a chart

English Language Arts:

• Integrate information presented in diverse formats
• Use domain-specific vocabulary

Key CCSS Standards

RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.4, RH.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.4, RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2, RI.6-8.4, RI.6-8.7, W.6-8.4, SL.6-8.1

Essential Questions

  • How do experts predict future population changes?
  • How can maps show information about population?
  • How can countries use population estimates?

1. Preparing to Read

Engage and Build Vocabulary

Ask students to respond to this prompt: How many people do you think live in the world today? How many do you think live in the U.S.? Do you think the number of people in the world is increasing or decreasing? Why? Discuss responses. Then use the Skill Builder Words to Know to preteach the domain-specific terms projection, demographer, and migration.

2. Reading and Discussing

Read the Article

Read the article aloud or have students read it independently. As students read, direct them to check the population estimates they made.

Answer Close-Reading Questions

Have students write their responses or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.

• How has the global population changed over the past 70 years? How is it predicted to change in the future? (Key Details)
The global population has tripled in size over the past 70 years, to 7.8 billion people today. Experts predict that it will continue to grow, reaching 10.9 billion people by 2100 and then stop growing for the first time in modern history.

• How do demographers make population projections? (Domain-Specific Vocabulary)
Demographers use statistics on death and birth rates to make population projections. If the number of people being born is higher than the number dying, the population will increase.

• What are some benefits of slow population growth? (Cause and Effect)
Slow population growth can make it easier to ensure everyone has enough to eat and a place to live. It can also reduce pressure on the environment. Fewer people could mean less consumption and less pollution.

3. Skill Building

Understand Population Density

Explain population density and review the key on the map on pages 22-23. Have students answer the questions about the map independently or in groups. Review responses and correct any misunderstandings.

Analyze a Chart

Use the Skill Builder Chart Reading: Most Populous Countries to have students read and answer questions about a chart showing the top 10 countries by population in 1950 and 2020, as well as projections for 2100.

Differentiate and Customize

For English Learners: Help students understand words with multiple meanings, such as peak, record, reach, stable, and plan. Make sure they understand which meaning is being used in the article.

For Distance Learning: Have students observe the U.S. and world population clocks at census.gov/popclock. Ask: How do the clocks help you understand population growth? What information on the page is most surprising?

Printable Lesson Plan

Text-to-Speech