Learning Center: Lesson Plan: Elementary School: Oregon Cities
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Title: Oregon Cities - population change 106 (years)
Objectives:
Students will:
• Compare and contrast populations using population lists from 1900 and 2006
• Research an Oregon city using manuscripts, photographs, and the Internet
• Examine cause and effect relationships and geography
• Examine the supply and demand issues of the major businesses of the city between 1900 and 2006
• Illustrate the impact of economy and transportation on population
Standards Met:
Economics:
• Understand how supply and demand influence price, and how price increases or decreases influence the decisions of consumers
Geography:
• Identify and give examples of issues related to population increases and decreases
History:
• Identify cause and effect relationships in a sequence of events
• Identify primary and secondary sources
Social Science Analysis:
• Examine an event, issue, or problem through inquiry and research
Materials/Resources Needed:
• Article from the Oregonian, January 1, 1900, As If By Magic: Baker City Now the Metropolis of Eastern Oregon
Anticipatory Set:
• Ask the students to consider what were the four most densely populated Oregon cities in 1900? (Portland, Salem, Astoria, Baker City)
• List a sample of the students’ responses on the chalkboard or overhead.
Lesson Description:
• Have the students read the Article from the Oregonian, January 1, 1900, As If By Magic: Baker City Now the Metropolis of Eastern Oregon
• Ask the students to reconsider their Anticipatory set questions.
• Discuss as a class the key information gleaned from the article
• Ask the students to consider the four most densely populated Oregon cities (December, 2006 – answers below).
1. Portland - 562,690
2. Salem - 149,305
3. Eugene - 148,595
4. Gresham - 97,745
• Have students compare and contrast the December, 2006 population list to the list from 1900 found in the Oregonian article
• Facilitate a discussion of the factors that led to population increases and decreases and the effects they have on their individual towns or cities.
• Introduce the research project
Research Project Questions:
• Have students choose one 20th century Oregon city and research that city, focusing on its population changes.
• Direct students to list the reasons for the changes (increase and decrease) in population. Their “reasons” should relate to:
* Geography
* Economy
* Politics
* Transportation
* Climate
* Other
Assessment:
Have Students:
• Create a graph or chart illustrating the population changes for Portland, Salem, Astoria, and Baker City between 1900 and 2006.
• Write an expository essay explaining why these population changes occurred (answering the research questions from above).
• Present your findings to the class.
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