Chapter 1 Section 1 WhoAmericansAre

Objectives Discuss the variety of places where Americans live. Discuss the variety of places where Americans live. Find out how the American work force is changing. Find out how the American work force is changing. Learn why the average age of Americans is increasing. Learn why the average age of Americans is increasing. Explore how our varied backgrounds contribute to what it means to be a United States citizen. Explore how our varied backgrounds contribute to what it means to be a United States citizen.

Key Terms Demography – the study of size, growth, and distribution of human populations Demography – the study of size, growth, and distribution of human populations Sunbelt – warm-weather states such as Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Arizona Sunbelt – warm-weather states such as Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Arizona Service Job – jobs in which a person makes a living by providing a service for other people Service Job – jobs in which a person makes a living by providing a service for other people Baby Boom – dramatic rise in the number of births that occurred between 1946 and 1964 Baby Boom – dramatic rise in the number of births that occurred between 1946 and 1964 Diversity - differences Diversity - differences

Main Idea American society is made up of people from diverse backgrounds. Recent trends include changes in where Americans live, in the workforce, and in the average age of the population. American society is made up of people from diverse backgrounds. Recent trends include changes in where Americans live, in the workforce, and in the average age of the population.

Reading Check(s) 1. Why might Americans have moved to urban areas, and, more recently, to the Sunbelt? 2. How was the American work force changed over the last hundred years? What is meant by the “baby boom generation,” and what is its effect on American society? 3. Predict some of the challenges of a diverse society.

Section 1 Assessment Key Terms Use each of the key terms in a sentence that explains its meaning:  Demography  Sunbelt  Service Job  Baby Boom  Diversity

Target Reading Skill 1. What word or idea were you better able to understand by reading ahead? Comprehension and Critical Thinking 2. A) What are two population shifts in the U.S? B) Why are Americans moving to the South and West? B) Why are Americans moving to the South and West? 3. A) How is the American work force changing? B) Are jobs in your community consistent with trends you read about in this section? B) Are jobs in your community consistent with trends you read about in this section?

4. A) Why is the average age of Americans shifting? B) What might be the economic effects for a society in which the average age is very young or very old? B) What might be the economic effects for a society in which the average age is very young or very old? 5. A) List and explain examples of diversity in American society. B) Why is understanding diversity an important part of understanding citizenship? B) Why is understanding diversity an important part of understanding citizenship?

Writing Activity You have been asked to address a group of foreign dignitaries on the topic “Who Americans Are.” Using the information from this section and your own observations. Write a short speech that gives a snapshot of life in the United States today.