Learning Resources bulletin - May 2008

Dear teachers: This regular bulletin presents free information and teaching materials available on Statistics Canada's Learning Resources website.

In this issue:

• The latest on climate change! Human Activity and the Environment (intermediate-secondary)
• Census at School: this year's survey closes June 20th (elementary-secondary)
• Historical Canada Year Books: lessons on immigration (intermediate-secondary)
• Mathematics: new lessons on function modelling (secondary)
• From the 2006 Census: Earnings and incomes of Canadians (secondary)
• Business Studies and Economics: Market Research Handbook 2008 (secondary)
• Education Matters: April 29, 2008 issue
• Canadian Social Trends: Sleep patterns of Canadians (secondary)
• New in E-STAT (intermediate-secondary)
• Regional support

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The latest on climate change! Human Activity and the Environment (intermediate-secondary)

See the feature article on climate change in the latest edition of "Human Activity and the Environment" (2007 and 2008). You'll learn that although Canada has only 0.5% of the world's population, it produces about 2% of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and was with the U.S. among the highest per capita GHG emitters in the world. The article explains the science of climate change, describes Canada's sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and outlines some of the impacts of climate change in our country.

NEW! Transportation in Canada – Lesson plan (secondary geography)

In this lesson, students learn about Canadian transportation trends and the environmental impact of our reliance on cars, using the 2006 edition of Human Activity and the Environment. You can download printable versions of this lesson in Text (RTF) and PDF.

Find them at Quick links > Human Activity and the Environment

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Census at School: this year's survey closes June 20th (elementary-secondary)

Looking for an engaging activity as the end of the year approaches? The Census at School online survey is available until June 20th, 2008. This year's summary results will be produced over the summer and posted next fall, and next year's survey will start up again in September.

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Historical Canada Year Books: lessons on immigration (intermediate-secondary)

History and social studies teachers! See the series of lessons from the Canada Year Book Historical Collection in which students learn to locate and interpret information in original source documents. http://www.statcan.ca/english/kits/intro.htm

In particular, the lessons on immigration and emigration focus on the push and pull factors that determine why people leave their country for another. The intermediate-level lesson asks students to find the numbers of immigrants to Canada during different decades between 1867 and 1967 and to reflect on the waves of immigration in the context of a timeline of historical events.

The secondary lesson has students research a particular period to find evidence of external factors (world events) and internal factors (Canadian policy) that affected immigration; they also examine emigration of Canadians to the U.S.

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Mathematics: new lessons on function modelling (secondary)

Two new lessons give great examples of real-life functions!

Linear modelling of the life expectancy of Canadians: Students gain a better understanding of the parameters of the slope-intercept form (y = mx + b) of a linear equation. They use data from E-STAT on life expectancy, which they import into spreadsheet or dynamic statistical software.

Quadratic modelling of Canada's Baby Boom: Students learn the purpose of the parameters in the vertex form [y = a(x – h)² + k] of a quadratic equation. They import E-STAT data on age groups from the baby boom into a statistical software program, then adjust the parameters to fit the parabola.

Find them at Functions, relations and modelling.

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From the 2006 Census: Earnings and incomes of Canadians (secondary)

The median earnings of Canadians employed full-time have changed little in the last quarter century, edging up from $41,348 a year in 1980 to $41,401 in 2005 (in 2005 constant dollars). Among families, working couples with children had the highest median earnings of all family types in 2005, an estimated $75,997, up 20.6% from 1980. Read more in the 2006 Census article and view the maps and the slide show of key findings in "Census of Canada resources". Under the "Key resources" tab, look for the topic "Earnings and Incomes". To find data tables, click on the "Data" tab.

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Business Studies and Economics: Market Research Handbook 2008 (secondary)

This hidden gem is a great source for students' marketing assignments. Now available free online, the 2008 edition contains information reflecting key characteristics of local and national markets in Canada. The user's guide in Section 1 gives a framework for analysing market trends and lists the main categories of indicators provided, such as demographics, labour market, consumer demand and supply chain.

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Education Matters of April, 2008

"Adult learning in Canada: Characteristics of learners": People with the highest levels of literacy participate in adult learning at much higher rates than those at the lowest levels. Thus, those most in need of learning to enhance their labour market skills are least likely to take advantage of training opportunities.

"Why are the majority of university students women?": Women continue to outnumber men in university and the gap is widening. Why this difference? Key factors include differences in school marks and in study habits at the age of 15, as well as parental expectations.

Find these articles at Quick links > Education Matters.

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Canadian Social Trends: Sleep patterns of Canadians

Men sleep less than women, according to this study in the Summer 2008 issue of Canadian Social Trends. Factors that relate to fewer hours of sleep include commuting for an hour or more, income levels of over $60,000, time spent at work, shift work, as well as having a spouse or children.

Find it at Quick links > Canadian Social Trends.

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New in E-STAT (intermediate-secondary)

See the May 7 "What's new in E- STAT": 2006 Census on earnings, income and shelter costs.

E-STAT is an interactive research tool free to schools.

Students can retrieve data on virtually every aspect of Canada's economy and society. Data can be displayed in tables, graphs or maps and downloaded for use in other software applications.

To see if your school is registered and allowed access, click on "Educational institutions registered with E-STAT".

If you are assigning homework that requires students to use E-STAT, remember to give them your school's username and password.

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Regional support

For help using our resources in the classroom, contact the Statistics Canada education representative in your region.