Population Puzzlers Teachers Guide

In the POPULATION Puzzlers activity, students use U.S. Census data to answer relevant questions about Texas and United States racial groups during the 1850-1890 time period. Viewing this data gives students a better understanding of Ransom Williams’ place in the larger state and national populations. The associated questions in the activity are math-based and include ‘hints’ to help students solve the problems. Student scores are recorded on the activity page. This activity was designed for 7th and 8th grades but can easily be adapted for other grade levels.

The questions below may be used to test your students’ mastery of the material after completing the activity.

Questions for students:

  • Which Texas and U.S. populations show the greatest difference between 1860 and 1870? How would you explain this difference?
  • In 1865, all 182,566 slaves in Texas became free. What social and economic problems might they have had adjusting to freedom?
  • Do you think all slaves becoming free affected Texas’ economy after the 1860s? Explain.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

7th Grade: Social Studies

History

  • 1A - identify the major eras in Texas history including Texas in the Civil War and Reconstruction, Cotton, and Railroads.
  • 1B - Apply absolute and relative chronology through the sequencing of significant individuals, events, and time periods.

Social Studies Skills

  • 21A - Locate and use valid primary and secondary sources such as computer software to acquire information about Texas
  • 21B - Analyze information by sequencing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, and drawing inferences and conclusions.

7th Grade: Mathematics

Number, Operation, and Quantitative Reasoning

  • 1B - Convert between fractions, decimals, whole numbers, and percents mentally, on paper, or with a calculator.
  • 2B - use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve problems involving fractions and decimals.

8th Grade: Social Studies

History

  • 1A - Identify the major eras and events in U.S. history through 1877, including Civil War and Reconstruction.
  • 7B - Compare the effects of political, economic, and social factors on slaves and free blacks.

Social Studies Skills

  • 29A - Locate and use valid primary and secondary sources such as computer software and artifacts to acquire information about the United States.
  • 29B - Analyze information by sequencing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions.
  • 29C - Organize and interpret information from visuals, including databases and visuals.
  • 29H - Use appropriate mathematical skills to interpret social studies information such as maps and graphs.
  • 29J - Pose and answer questions about geographic distributions and patterns shown on maps, charts, and databases.

8th Grade: Mathematics

Number, Operation, and Quantitative Reasoning

  • 1A - Compare and order rational numbers in various forms including percents.<.li>
  • 1B - Select and use appropriate forms of rational numbers to solve real-life problems.

Patterns, relationships, and algebraic thinking

  • 3B - Estimate and find solutions to application problems involving percents.
  • 5A - Predict, find, and justify solutions to application problems using appropriate tables, graphs, and algebraic equations.
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