This graph is from a lesson plan that I developed that integrates math with social studies.  Graphing can be a real bore for students especially when the data and the purpose for creating the data is not relevant to them.  In this lesson plan I tried to make the tasks real and interesting.  I think that you will find that the task has much to offer the students and the activity uses real data, allowing the students to really grapple with the big issues. 

    This lesson plan also shows some of the incredible benefits of technology.  Students would have a great deal of trouble doing this activity without using Excel.  Additional lessons in this area of Social Studies and Math can help students to develop their understanding of how to do the operations that the computer completed for them.  But at this grade level the computational expertise required is beyond the scope of the curriculum guidelines.