Searching for Solutions
Making and Using a Table

Strategy 2 - Reading and Making a Table

It is important to know how to read and make tables in order to locate, organize and analyze data. 

Activity 1:  Take a look at this data table and answer the questions below.

Population by State
Total U.S. Population in 1990 - 248,709,873

1. What was Maryland's population in 1990?
2. What state had the greatest number of people living in that state in 1990?
3. Which state had the lowest population in 1990?
4. Name three states whose population was similar to each other in 1990.
5. What is the difference between the state with the greatest population and the state with the lowest population?

Activity 2: Use the following data to make a table. 
Note:  If you are a boy, use the data for boys only.  If you are a girl, use the data for girls only.   

Most Popular Given Names for Boys, 1900–2000

Most Popular Given Names for Girls, 1900–2000

Questions about the data:

1. Is your first name and/or middle name in this list?  How long has it been a popular name?
2. Are any of the names the same as members of your family?
3. Visit the Social Security Administration Popular Baby Names website and and add the current year's top 10 names to the list.  Use the link on this site called "Popular Names by Birth Year" to select the current year and click "Go" to begin the search.
4. Do you notice any trends with the names on the list?
5. What do you think will be the most popular names in the 2010 survey?

Activity 3: Let's Learn About Stars, Planets, and Moons!

Use the Many Moons website to learn about some of the planets and the number of moons these planets have in their atmosphere.  Write down the names of the planets and identify the number of moons each planet has.  Use this data to create a table.
Many Moons web address:   http://kids.infoplease.com/ipka/A0769186.html

Use the From Another Planet website to learn about all the planets and their individual characteristics.   Make a table using any of the data given about the planets.  For example, your table may be about the sizes of the planets, their distances from the sun, the number of satellites or moons, or even their temperatures.  From Another Planet web address:  http://kids.infoplease.com/ipka/A0769141.html

Activity 4: Crop Production

Which states rank first in production for more than one crop? What crops? Go to the National Agriculture Statistics Service web site and look under Historic Data to find tables of current USDA Statistical Highlights for crop production. USDA Statistical Highlights can be found at: http://www.usda.gov/nass/pubs/stathigh/1997/cr-fc-h5.htm

© Searching for Solutions - A Web-Based Problem-Solving Unit - Developed by Judy Campf, e-Learning Specialist.