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What Is the Census and Why Is it Important?

Grades: 
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Author(s): 
Subjects: 
Health and PE
Language Arts
Mathematics
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
Census
Community
Philanthropy
Equity
Counting
Empathy
Common Good
U.S. Constitution

This lesson explains what the Census is and why it is important for everyone. Every ten years, we count everyone who is living in the U.S., from babies to the oldest people. This gives our government a clear idea of who lives where and regions where we have growth or decrease in population. If we know who lives where, we can make sure to provide services, such as education, health care, public services, and food/housing in the needed places. 

Duration 
PrintOne Class Session, plus time for an advocacy project
Objectives 

The learner will...

  • explain the purpose of the Census.
  • describe what information is collected in the Census.
  • tell that it is important for every American to be counted so we can allocate resources where they are most needed. 
Materials 
  • a downloaded copy of the book for early elementary Everybody Counts found on the U.S. Census Bureau website
  • search online for graphs that describe what populations are under-counted and the impact
  • a Census form sample on the U.S. Census Bureau website

 

Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set
    Talk about how many people are in your family. Think about family in different levels of closeness: those who live with you, those who come to holidays, and those who include cousins and grandparents, and distant relatives. 

    If you wanted to throw a family reunion party and invite everyone who was related to you from all over the country (and world), what would you need to know and do to prepare? Talk about how important it would be to know things like this:

    • their work schedule
    • how they will travel to the event
    • where they live
    • where they will sleep
    • what language they speak
    • can they afford to travel to the party
    • how many in each family
    • how many in all
    • ages in each family
    • what special needs are there
    • are there any infants
    • what space will hold all of you
    • what diet requirements they have

    How does knowing these things help you plan a good gathering? What other things would you want to know?

  2. Just like finding these answers helps you plan the services for your family gathering, the Census helps the government, nonprofits, and businesses plan services to better serve all people in the country. 

    Every ten years, we count everyone who is living in the U.S., from babies to the oldest people. This gives our government a clear idea of who lives where and regions where we have growth or decrease in population. If we know who lives where, we can make sure to provide services, such as education, health care, public services, and food/housing in the needed places. 

    View this overview video on the Census website. Discuss and encourage students to ask questions.

  3. Read aloud the online copy of the book Everybody Counts found on the U.S. Census Bureau website. Talk about how the Census counts people. It makes it clear that you count who is in your household only. 

  4. To get an idea of what information is collected in Census, have students take the Statistics in Schools Quiz on the U.S. Census Bureau website. This could easily be made into a Kahoot quiz.  

    Look at the sample form from the Census website (link in bibliography) to see the exact questions on the Census. Discuss why the Census collects this information. How does it help? What are the pros and cons of sharing or collecting this information and not other information? 

  5. Filling out the Census is an important action for the common good. Acting for the common good is a Core Democratic Value. Review the Core Democratic Values here. 

    It is an act of citizenship to provide basic information so we can all be counted. If government, business, and nonprofit organizations know where there are gaps or needs, they can provide needed resources and opportunities so people can work and feed their families. 

  6. What can you do to let others know about the importance of the Census? Brainstorm things a young person can do. 

  7. Make a plan, take action, and tell about what you did. Reflect on the action, its impact, and how you feel about it. 

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.3 Recognize that citizens have a responsibility for the common good as defined by democratic principles.
    2. Standard DP 02. Roles of Government, Business, and Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.1 Give examples of needs met by government, business, civil society, and family.
      2. Benchmark E.6 Explain why acting philanthropically is good for the community, state, nation, or world.
    3. Standard DP 04. Operational Characteristics of Nonprofit Organizations
      1. Benchmark E.1 Describe how citizens organize in response to a need.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark E.3 Describe a benefit of group cooperation.
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.5 Give examples of actions students can take to improve the common good and list or describe responsibilities that go with those actions.
  4. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service
    1. Standard VS 02. Service and Learning
      1. Benchmark E.1 Select a service project based on interests, abilities, and research.