My first standards response will be in the area of #4: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making, part c: Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
I have not done enough of this type of activity with my students, but I want to do more because I believe it is very important for students to be able to analyze data to help identify solutions and then make informed decisions. One activity that I have used with my 7th grade World Geography students is to have them first research some of the problems the people of an African country have experienced in recent years. After identifying some of the problems, they then research how different relief organizations have tried to help the people of that country. Finally, the students are asked to create their own relief agency (fictional) and write a letter to the local newspaper. In the letter, the students are to identify their country, list some of the problems, and then state what their relief organization will be doing to try and help the people of the country. I have been impressed with the ideas that my students have come up with. This activity fits the description of standard #4 and I plan to include more activities that require my students to analyze data and then identify solutions and make informed decisions.
This sounds like a great assignment that would incorporate this standard well!
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