Statistics Canada
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Family studies kit
Teacher's guide
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Overview
Statistics Canada measures the social and economic pulse of the nation through surveys and the Census. Compiled results, when woven together, paint a picture that casts insight on topical issues and changes in society. Businesses and governments use these data and analyses to make important decisions about today's social programs and to help plan for the future.
The Canadian family has undergone dramatic changes over the course of the past several decades. The Family Studies Kit documents these and other trends that have had an impact on the lives of Canadian families with data from Statistics Canada. The material has been organized by chapters.
- Trends in Family Formation
- Children and Fertility
- The Division of Labour in the Family
- The Socio-economic Characteristics of the Family
This kit introduces teachers and students to current Canadian social issues through a series of charts and discussion points.
Questions or comments should be addressed to Colin Lindsay of Statistics Canada's Target Groups Project by telephone at (613) 951-2603 or by e-mail at lindcol@statcan.gc.ca.
Objectives
- To define and discuss issues facing Canadians families today
- To analyse graphic material and extract information
- To develop research skills using both data and text materials
- To develop presentation skills for both visual and oral reporting
- To develop an appreciation of the complexity of social and economic trends
Suggested grade levels and subject areas
Secondary
Home economics and Family studies, Canadian Studies
Materials
Resources provided may be accessed by students directly on the Internet or may be downloaded, photocopied and distributed by the teacher.
Classroom instructions
- Introduce the charts and text provided for each topic to the class. Discuss and analyse as a group.
- Create a list of social, political and economic effects surrounding each issue and the causes of these effects.
Brainstorming and classroom discussion are useful techniques.
E-STAT can be used to create more updated graphs on this topic.
Please e-mail comments or examples of how you used this exercise in your class.
