State of Our Union: Deciphering the Data

Lesson Plans

Grades9, 10, 11, 12History, Mathematics

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Population Education

Open Resource

What it is

In this data analysis activity, students will analyze graphs and various data visualizations to understand the intermingling of both good and bad aspects of the conditions in the United States throughout history.
Students will learn how to use data to answer and generate questions and how to fit multiple pieces of data together to get a more complete understanding.

Teaching tips

Positives

The overarching theme in this activity, making decisions based on what the data says rather than what those around you say, is a valuable sentiment to live by.
This activity requires students to work together and encourages civil disagreements amongst students, which will ultimately deepen student engagement and understanding.

Prerequisites

Students should already know how to read graphs and charts.
Teachers will need to use a color printer to print the student sheets.

Differentiation & Implementation

After looking at their piece of data, students may benefit from meeting with students who looked at the same piece, discussing some key ideas, and then meeting with those that looked at different data pieces.
Language arts teachers can have students use these graphs as source material for writing informative essays on related topics.
Some students may need extra time and assistance to find additional data pieces. These students may benefit from links to reputable and relevant sources.

From the scientist review

This lesson teaches students how to decipher and interpret different graphs of data. Four of the provided graphs focus on the environment, specifically waste disposal, environmental laws, forests, and global warming. The information presented is accurate and this resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: History, Mathematics
Other types: Data, Graphs, and Maps, Assessments, Activity - Classroom, Worksheets
Format: PDF
Language: English
Location: North America > United States
Provider: Population Education
Authors: Population Education
Published: July 2, 2024
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.His.12.9-12 + 46 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

D2.His.12.9-12D2.His.12.9-12 Use questions generated about multiple historical sources to pursue further inquiry and investigate additional sources.
D2.His.14.9-12D2.His.14.9-12 Analyze multiple and complex causes and effects of events in the past.
D2.His.2.9-12D2.His.2.9-12 Analyze change and continuity in historical eras.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.C.9CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.C.9 Distinguish between correlation and causation.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.A.1CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.A.1 Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on a random sample from that population.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.B.6CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.B.6 Evaluate reports based on data.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

New Jersey Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

HSS.ID.C.9HSS.ID.C.9 Distinguish between correlation and causation.
HSS.IC.A.1(+)HSS.IC.A.1(+) Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on a random sample from that population.
HSS.IC.B.6(+)HSS.IC.B.6(+) Evaluate reports based on data (e.g., interrogate study design, data sources, randomization, the way the data are analyzed and displayed, inferences drawn and methods used; identify and explain misleading uses of data; recognize when arguments based on data are flawed).
SL.PE.9-10.1SL.PE.9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with peers on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Oregon Climate Education Hub

Oregon Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

9-10.SL.19-10.SL.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
HS.DR.A.1HS.DR.A.1 Formulate multivariable statistical investigative questions and determine how data from samples can be collected and analyzed to provide an answer.
HS.DR.A.4HS.DR.A.4 Use mathematical and statistical reasoning to formulate questions about data to evaluate conclusions and assess risks.
HS.DR.D.13HS.DR.D.13 Use multivariate thinking to articulate how variables impact one another and measure the strength of association using correlation coefficients for regression curves.
II.II. Use chronological thinking skills, connecting the past with the present to recognize continuity and change in human history.
HS.US.CH.1:HS.US.CH.1: Analyze social, political, and economic continuity and change following the Civil War and Reconstruction (1865-1896) with attention to how post-war policies and actions affected traditionally underrepresented groups and individuals.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

SL.9-10.1SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on topics, texts, and issues, listening actively, and building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
M.SP.ID.C.9M.SP.ID.C.9 (F2Y) Distinguish between correlation and causation.
M.SP.IC.A.1M.SP.IC.A.1 Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on a random sample from that population.
M.SP.IC.B.6M.SP.IC.B.6 Evaluate reports based on data.
SS.Hist1.b.hSS.Hist1.b.h Evaluate multiple events from different perspectives using primary and secondary sources and analyze intended and unintended effects from both long- and short-term perspectives. Evaluate how different groups and individuals contributed to the effect.
SS.Hist2.c.hSS.Hist2.c.h Evaluate how the historical context influenced the process or nature of the continuity or change that took place.

Maine Climate Education Hub

Maine Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

HSS.ID.C.9HSS.ID.C.9 Distinguish between correlation and causation.
HSS.IC.A.1HSS.IC.A.1 Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on a random sample from that population.
HSS.IC.B.6HSS.IC.B.6 Evaluate reports based on data.
SL.9-12.1SL.9-12.1 Prepare for and participate in conversations across a range of topics, types, and forums, building on others' ideas and expressing their own.
HistoryHistory 1 (D2): Students understand major eras, major enduring themes, and historic influences in United States and world history, including the roots of democratic philosophy, ideals, and institutions in the world by analyzing and critiquing major historical eras: major enduring themes, turning points, events, consequences, and people in the history of the world and the implications for the present and future.

New York Climate Education Hub

New York Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CRC.9-12.3.CRC.9-12.3. Identify, analyze, and evaluate the relationship between multiple causes and effects
CRC.9-12.5.CRC.9-12.5. Recognize, analyze, and evaluate dynamics of historical continuity and change over periods of time and investigate factors that caused those changes over time.
AI-S.ID.9AI-S.ID.9 Distinguish between correlation and causation.
AII-S.IC.6aAII-S.IC.6a Use the tools of statistics to draw conclusions from numerical summaries.
9-10SL1:9-10SL1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on complex topics, texts, and issues; express ideas clearly and persuasively, and build on those of others.

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.C.9CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.C.9 Distinguish between correlation and causation.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.B.6CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.B.6 Evaluate reports based on data.

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.C.9CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.C.9 Distinguish between correlation and causation.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.A.1CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.A.1 Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on a random sample from that population.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.B.6CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.B.6 Evaluate reports based on data.

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

S.ID.9.S.ID.9. Distinguish between correlation and causation.
S.IC.1.S.IC.1. Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on a random sample from that population.
S.IC.6.S.IC.6. Evaluate reports based on data.
SL.9-10.1.SL.9-10.1. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Illinois Climate Education

Illinois Climate Education Standards legacy

SL.9-10.1.SL.9-10.1. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
S-ID.9.S-ID.9. Distinguish between correlation and causation.
S-IC.1.S-IC.1. Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on a random sample from that population.
S-IC.6.S-IC.6. Evaluate reports based on data.
SS.9-12.H.13.SS.9-12.H.13. Analyze multiple and complex causes and effects of events in the past.

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