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Geography · Grade 7

Compare Geographic Claims with Data

'The biggest polluter', 'the most dangerous region', 'crime up 50%' — geographic claims are everywhere. Learners discover how the same data can tell different stories depending on whether we use totals or rates, how map design and class breaks change a map's message, and how graphs and maps can mislead. They finish by testing claims against data and writing a supported verdict.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 100 minutes
  • Claims and data check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, highlight a text, pick map regions, match pairs, type a number and sort into groups
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What learners will discover

  • Distinguish totals from rates (per person, per km², percentages) and choose the measure that fits a claim.
  • Explain how map type, class breaks and colour choices change a map's message.
  • Identify misleading graphs, maps and statistics, such as tiny base numbers, chosen time periods and truncated axes.
  • Evaluate a geographic claim against data and write a justified verdict.

Lessons

  1. Totals or rates? 6 steps4 practiceabout 25 min
  2. Design choices change a map's message 6 steps4 practiceabout 25 min
  3. How graphs and maps can mislead 5 steps3 practiceabout 25 min
  4. Testing a claim 6 steps3 practiceabout 25 min
  5. Claims and data check 10 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Globe ExplorerSpin a real 3D globe, flip to the flat map, and find continents, oceans and countries.
  • Pin the PlanetDrag the pin onto wonders, cities and exact latitude and longitude points.
  • Route PlannerFind the shortest way around town, dodge closed roads, and measure trips with a scale bar.

More 7th grade geography

Guide for grown-ups