Title: Military Statistics
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math, Social Studies, Language
Arts
Learner Outcomes: Students will be given
an opportunity to:
-
create a spreadsheet containing information
on military statistics
-
create graphs that illustrate the relationship
of the data, and explain that relationship
Duration of Lesson: (3) 45 minute periods
Materials:
-
encyclopedias, almanacs and other references
Technology Tools/Courseware:
-
Computer with Internet Access
-
Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet software
-
Word Processing software
-
Color printer
Teacher Notes:
The teacher needs to be familiar
with spreadsheets and how to enter formulas. Microsoft
Excel tutorials can be found online.
Procedures:
-
Divide the class into student groups, assigning
each group a military service. Students will use a variety of resources
to gather statistical information on their assigned branch of the military.
Statistical information can be found online at Infoplease.
Statistics can include such items as:
-
number of active duty personnel in each year
over a period of years
-
number of casualties in major wars
-
US Military pay grades
-
Number of active duty female military personnel
-
American prisoners of war or MIA's
-
Number of Medal of Honor recipients from each
state
-
Financial cost of each war
-
Students will create a spreadsheet containing
the information they have researched, using formulas in critical cells
to make calculations.
-
Students will create a graph using the statistical
information that is best suited to the type of data. Using a data processor,
students will type a paragraph containing conclusions they have made from
the collected data and display the printed graphs on a bulletin board beside
the conclusion statements.
Modifications: The teacher may assign
a specific statistical task to students, depending on ability level. The
lesson may be modified according to the students' IEP.
Enrichment Activities:
-
The student can research statistical data of
minorities in the military.
-
Students will make predictions about the statistical
data of a hypothetical WWIII.
Evaluation/Assessment:
-
completion of the graph containing formula calculations
-
completion of the summary analysis of the data
West
Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
Math
6.24, 6.48, 6.55, 6.56, 6.58, 6.59,
7.30, 7.54, 7.55, 8.57
Social Studies
6.61, 6.62, 8.55
Language Arts
6.27, 8.22
National
Standards:
Historical Understanding
-
Understands and knows how to analyze chronological
relationships and patterns
-
Understands the historical perspective
Mathematics
-
Uses basic and advanced procedures while performing
the processes of computation
-
Understands and applies basic and advanced concepts
of statistics and data analysis
Language Arts
-
Gathers and uses information for research purposes
Job/Career Clusters: Fine Arts and Humanities
References:
National
Archives and Records Administration
Statistical
Summary of America's Major Wars
Microsoft
Excel Tutorials:
Information
Technology Services at Smith College
University
of South Dakota Trio Program
Author(s):
John
Richmond
Darlene
Milam
Patty
Waldeck
Horace Mann Middle School
301 43rd Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
304-348-1971
