The U.S. Census Bureau and Scholastic recently collaborated on an exciting 2010 Census in Schools initiative to heighten awareness about the importance of the Census among students and their families. Starting in August 2009, all schools will receive, “2010 Census: It’s About Us,” kits which will include free lesson plans, worksheets, and classroom resources for K-12 educators. The lessons will feature fun, skill-building activities in map literacy, graphing, reading, writing, and civic responsibility. Schools will also receive free printed maps and Quick-Start lesson guides. Materials are also available online at www.census.gov/schools.

We are interested in working with the Council to inform Social Studies teachers about this initiative. We have several activities planned for Constitution Day, September 17th, as well as “Census Week” which we hope schools will designate sometime in March. Our goal of this program is to educate and create enthusiasm in the classroom about the Census which will then extend home to the families.