USA TODAY® Related Activities
Glencoe provides activities
related to the concept of the lesson as well as USA TODAY Snapshot®
data. Internet Activity
Is Trash Taking Over?
Materials: calculator, graph paper, markers or colored pencils,
ruler
Work alone or in pairs.
Table 1 shows the percent of trash represented
by each type of item in the year 2000. Table 2 shows the amount
of trash generated by one person in one day for various years.
| Table
1 |
| Type
of
Trash |
Percent
of
Total
Trash |
| metal |
8% |
| plastic |
24% |
| food
and yard waste |
11% |
| rubber
and leather |
6% |
| other
trash |
21% |
| paper |
30% |
| Source:
The World Almanac for Kids |
|
|
| Table
2 |
| Year |
Pound
of Trash
Per
Person Per Day |
| 1960 |
2.68 |
| 1970 |
3.25 |
| 1980 |
3.66 |
| 1990 |
4.51 |
| 1994 |
4.51 |
| 1996 |
4.33 |
| 2000 |
4.42 |
| Source:
The Wall Street Journal Almanac
|
|
Procedure for the Activity
Step 1 Make a graph of your choice to display the
data in Table 1. Describe your graph. Explain why you chose
the type of graph that you made.
Step 2 Make a graph of your choice to display the
data in Table 2. Describe your graph. Explain why you chose
the type of graph that you made.
Step
3 Predict the number of pounds of trash you think one
person will produce per day in 2010. Explain how you made
your prediction.
Step
4 In 2000, about how many pounds of paper did one person
discard in one year? Explain how you found your answer.
Step
5 The data in Table 1 is from the year 2000. If a similar
table was made for the year 1960, how would you expect it
to differ from Table 1? Explain your reasoning.
Wrapping Up the Activity
Make a brochure
or Web page to display the data in this activity. Include
any tables, graphs, and/or pictures that will help you to
present the information in a unique and creative way.
|
Answer Sheet