India: Population Challenges

World Cultures South and Southeast Asia India: Population Challenges
Students learn about India's huge population. They work with population data to calculate population density and review other measures of a country's development. They use layered maps to explain settlement patterns. Then they discuss the question of "overpopulation or underproduction?" and take a stand on the issue.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

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Here are the teacher pack items for India: Population Challenges:

Preview - Scene 1
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Overview:

In this experience, students examine the scale of India’s population and consider how a very large population can create both opportunities and challenges. They investigate specific population-related challenges and analyze how population size interacts with factors such as infrastructure, resources, technology, economic conditions, and government decisions. Finally, students use evidence from their research to explain these relationships in an academic written response.

Students should be divided into small groups for Scene 3.

Objectives:

  • Explain the size and major characteristics of India’s population using population data
  • Investigate challenges that can arise when a very large population places pressure on resources, infrastructure, and public services


India has the largest population of any country in the world. More than 1.4 billion people live there, which means roughly one out of every six people on Earth lives in India.

A population this large can be an important source of workers, consumers, ideas, and economic activity. It can also create challenges when many people need housing, transportation, schools, health care, jobs, food, water, and other resources.

In this experience, you will examine the scale of India’s population, investigate some challenges connected to supporting a very large population, and use evidence to explain how population size can affect a country.

Objectives

  • Explain the size and major characteristics of India’s population using population data
  • Investigate challenges that can arise when a very large population places pressure on resources, infrastructure, and public services


a crowded street

Old Delhi, India




Use the information about India and the United States’ population to complete the See-Think-Wonder chart.


After students complete the table, invite several students to share one observation and one question.

Use the discussion to establish the enormous scale of India’s population without treating population size itself as a problem. Students may predict that a large population could increase demand for housing, transportation, jobs, schools, health care, food, water, or other services. They may also recognize that a large population can provide workers, consumers, and economic opportunities.

Possible follow-up questions include:

  • What makes India’s population size significant?
  • What might a country need more of as its population grows?
  • What opportunities could come from having a very large population?
  • Why would population size alone not tell us whether people have what they need?
  • What other information would help us understand the effects of a large population?
  • Which questions should we investigate next?


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.


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The Complete List of Learning Experiences in South Asia Unit.
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia South Asia: Society and Culture
South Asia: Society and Culture
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia South Asia: Government and Economy
South Asia: Government and Economy
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia Religion and Its Influence: The Origins of Hinduism and Buddhism
Religion and Its Influence: The Origins of Hinduism and Buddhism
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia South Asia: History and Its Influence
South Asia: History and Its Influence
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia India: Population Challenges
India: Population Challenges
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia Unit Review
South Asia: Unit Review
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia South Asia: Geographic Passport
South Asia: Geographic Passport
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