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Getting ready for the Census: 2006 Teacher's Kit > Lesson Plans >
Activity 8: Census Game
Download activity 8 in PDF format (PDF)
Overview
Learning objectives
Vocabulary
Materials
Getting started
Census activity
Extension/enrichment
Overview
This activity uses a game format to encourage students to develop knowledge of Canada's demographic, social and economic features as revealed by the census. Questions addressing the local, regional and national implications of the census are offered in increasing difficulty to add challenge to the exercise. (1 class period)
Note: See the Teacher's Guide for general background on the census and census vocabulary.
Learning objectives
- Develop an awareness of the range of major demographic information provided by Canada's census.
- Realize that all Canadians are part of the census and are represented by its findings.
- Understand that each census is a snapshot of the population and that by comparing current census data with previous census data, the dynamics of the population can be studied.
Vocabulary
Census, confidentiality, House of Commons, immigrant, sample, urban
Materials
Getting started
- Before students participate in this activity, they will need background information. Discuss or photocopy the information on the census beginning on page 2 of the Teacher's Guide, or you can use Quick Census Facts on pages 10 and 11 (also in the Guide). Explain that the census provides a wide range of demographic, social and economic information about Canada.
- Divide the class into four to six teams. Distribute Worksheet 1: Census Geography Game Sheets and Worksheet 2: Canada's Population Distribution to each player on each team. Allow students a few moments to look at the worksheets. The map in worksheet 2 will be
useful for answering some of the questions in the activity.
- Teams could suggest team names. Since each team begins with a score of zero (0), write one large zero for each team below their team names on the blackboard. Decide the order of play (e.g., alphabetical order of team names). You may want to limit the number of categories in play depending on the time available.
- Describe how to play the game as detailed in the Census activity section. In brief, a team picks any topic from the six categories on the game sheet, the teacher reads the “answer” and the team are asked for the “question.” Points are awarded or removed depending on whether an acceptable response is given. The point values for the topics increase to reflect their difficulty. Do a practice round using the sample given on worksheet 1.
Census activity
- Each team in turn has the opportunity to select a topic listed under one of the categories on the game sheet (worksheet 1). From the answers and questions beginning on page 3, the teacher reads the appropriate answer to the team. Time is then allowed for the team to confer, reach a consensus and respond with the question (about one minute). Encourage different members of the team to respond rather than having one member provide the questions for all the answers.
- If the question is acceptable to the teacher, the team is awarded the number of points shown for the topic on the game sheet. The team's score is then increased on the blackboard and the topic is eliminated. Unacceptable responses reduce the team's score by the value of the
topic and this topic remains in play. Any answer completes a turn and the play moves on to the next team. Eight topics have double points (bonus questions). These can be changed by the teacher.
- The game is over when all the topics have been used or when time has run out. Leave time to tabulate the final score and announce the winning team.
Extension/enrichment
- Any of the rules can be altered to suit the circumstances. The number of categories and topics in play can be changed as well as the value of the questions.
- Allow students to create their own answers and questions.
- Suggest that students take the materials home and play the game with their families.
- Consider the possibility of a challenge match between classes using either the topics provided or those created by the students. Maybe the teachers could challenge the students!
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