004 - Population
Pyramids
Factual Question:
How can population pyramids be used to tell a story of 'change' within a given place?
Approaches to Learning
Information literacy skills - Finding, interpreting, judging and creating information - Access information to be informed and inform others.
Key Terminology
Population Pyramid
Define the word above using the resource in the 'Useful Link' below:
Useful Link
Activity One - What is a population pyramid? What do they show?
Graphical information is key for geographers to help them to represent different ideas and findings. Population pyramids can help us to understand the population structure of a country or region within a country. By analysing them we can infer what possibly may happen in the future and plan for the services and resources that may be required to cope with any population change.
What do population pyramids represent?
Using diagrams describe the three main pyramid shapes.
Give two examples for each of the the three main pyramid shapes.
Activity Two - Making Pyramids
We are now going to be creative by using Lego to develop example population pyramids for the different stages of the Demographic Transition Model. You will be given a selection of Lego pieces to complete this activity.
Using the lego provided, build a population pyramid for each stage of the Demographic Transition Model.
Draw the models on paper and next to them justify (suggest why) you have chosen that shape for the five different stages of the Demographic Transition Model. Below the image are suggested ways to help you to do this.
Definition
Justify - Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.
Format
Draw the population pyramid (remember to use a pencil to draw).
Justify the shape and why it would link to the stage of the Demographic Transition Model.
Suggested sentence beginnings:
I have drawn the pyramid with a ... (describe the shape).
This illustrates Stage One of the Demographic Transition Model because ...
Key Words
Birth rates
Death rates
Life expectancy
Economically active
Curve
Steep
Steady
Activity Three - Analyse
Now you have an understanding of what a population pyramid is and how they help to tell a 'story' about a particular country or region within a country, you are now going to analyse two different pyramids. The first is for the UAE and the second is for Hong Kong. Suggestions of how to approach this can be found beneath the population pyramids.
What does analyse mean?
Analyse - Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. To identify parts and relationships, and to interpret information to reach conclusions.
Suggestions of How To Approach This
Paragraph One
Initially describe the graphs
Describe the 'obvious' - what is the general shape.
Include the 'specific' - use the data in your answer when you describe. In this case years and percentages.
Describe the 'odd' - is there an anomaly that you wouldn't expect? Remember to include data (numbers).
Paragraph Two
Explain the shape - the obvious and the odd. Why is it like it is?
Presentation
Open a Google Doc in your I&S folder in Google Drive.
Create a header and write in it your name, the year, and I&S.
Type the title 'Population Pyramids - an analysis'
Type in 12 font
Tahoma, New Times Roman or Verdana font
Each map or graph used should be labeled with a figure number and a title e.g. 'Figure 1 - A World map showing areas population density (worldmapper.org)
Submit a pdf of your essay onto ManageBac so that turnitin can be used
How will I be assessed?
You will be formatively (to let me know what your understanding is so you can improve) assessed using Criteria A - Knowing and Understanding and Criteria D - Thinking Critically.
Extension - Link between Design and Geography
Click on the link below to explore how population pyramids can be turned into works of art. Which countries sculptural pyramid peaks your interest and why?