Census in South Dakota Elementary Schools

Census in South Dakota

Elementary Schools

It is the intention of the South Dakota State Historical Society – State Archives to offer fourth grade students in elementary schools the opportunity to understand the value and purpose of census data. Censuses are important historical resources and hold valuable information for researchers and genealogists. Personal and statistical information can be compiled to create a better understanding of our ancestors. The fourth graders will learn first-hand how census information is collected and how that data can be calculated and interpreted. Return to Top

Our goal is that by the end of this project fourth grade students will appreciate the importance of collecting and storing information for future use. Students will gain a better understanding of their relevance in relation to the history of their school, community, and state. It is hoped that students will conclude this project with a better understanding and sense of their own past, present, and future.

A Word Template Census and Excel Census Database (see below) is provided by the South Dakota State Archives. It will also be necessary for the teacher to keep the completed census forms during the school year. Teachers will also need to complete the School Census Excel Database provided below and email or mail the completed database for their class to Matthew Reitzel at the State Archives: matthew.reitzel@state.sd.us Please send only the completed Excel database. Do not send the census forms themselves to the State Archives. The State Archives will calculate the results, provided by the Excel Database, for each fourth grade class to give an overall view of fourth grade students throughout South Dakota. This project will meet curriculum criteria for both math and social studies.

Some time during the school year fourth grade students will fill out the census forms provided by the South Dakota State Historical Society – State Archives. Once the forms are completed the students can compile their answers and determine the statistical composition of their class’s answers. Some examples would include: How many students in the classroom stated blue as their favorite color? How many students in the classroom have been to Mt. Rushmore? How many students in the classroom have a pet, and what kind of pet? What is the average distance from the student’s home to their classroom? The students will create statistical information for their class and have a better understanding of their peer group.

Once the forms are completed and the data on them has been compiled the teacher or teachers can store them for a later date. Please, do not send the individual census forms to the State Archives.

The students should be allowed to take copies of their census data and the class composition statistics home with them to share with their families. The teachers should store the census information in their classroom. As time progresses, a period of years, students will be able to see the changes that have taken place at their grade level from past years.

Please send the completed Excel Database to the State Archives by April 1, 2006.