Social Studies - World Geography
Lesson Plans

WG Strand 2: POPULATION DISTRIBUTION AND MIGRATION

The movement and distribution of people is influenced by many factors, including environmental, cultural, economic, and geopolitical forces. These migration trends alter geographic conditions. Geographers use data to understand population distribution and migration by looking at population characteristics, push and pull factors, and numerous other variables. Analyzing this data offers an opportunity to examine complex and challenging real-world issues.

Possible Guiding Questions to Consider:

• Why do people live where they live?
• Why do people move, sometimes at great risk to themselves?
• How might population trends influence aspects of daily life at local, regional, or global scales?
• Why do urbanization patterns differ around the world?
• How can governmental policies have both intended and unintended consequences for population and migration?
• What are the costs and benefits of mass urbanization?
• How do geographers use demographic data to make informed decisions?

WG Standard 2.1:

Students will evaluate the impact of population distribution patterns at various scales by analyzing and comparing demographic characteristics such as gender, age, ethnicity, and population density using maps, population pyramids, and other geographic data.

• 7 Billion: Where Do You Stand?
  Students articulate their thoughts about the ethical issues related to population reaching seven billion and consider the opinions of their classmates. Note: A free account login is required to access this resource.
• Power of the Pyramids
  (Requires login/email address)
  Students use real-world data to construct and interpret population pyramids and discuss differences in population growth rates among several different countries, including the U.S.

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