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    Benefits of Trade Policies

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    Subject: Social Studies

    Lesson Length: 1 - 2 hours

    Topic: Specialization and Trade

    Grade Level: 6, 7, 8

    Standards / Framework:

    Brief Description: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the major benefits of countries trading with each other.

    Know Before You Start: Students should be familiar with basic economic concepts such as supply and demand, trade, goods, and services.

    Hook:

    • Ask students:
      • "Have you ever wondered where the clothes you wear, the toys you play with, or the electronics you use every day come from? How do they get to you?”
      • "What do you think would happen if your country suddenly stopped trading with all other countries? How would your life change?”
      • "Can you think of any products or items that are unique to specific countries or regions? Why do you think they are not available everywhere?”

    Activity:

    • Have students explore the benefits of specialization and trade by watching a video from Crash Course Economics. 
    • Have students brainstorm a list of five essential items they consider necessary for a trip.
    • In pairs, have students collaboratively conduct research to explore the origins and manufacturing processes of their selected items. They should try to answer questions such as:
      • Where is the product made?
      • What materials are used in its production?
      • Are there any specific countries known for manufacturing this item?
      • Are there any trade agreements or trade policies related to this product?
    • Have students conduct research on a country of their choice, identifying its main exports, imports, and the mutual benefits derived from international trade by answering the following questions: 
      • What are the main products or resources this country exports?
      • What products or resources does this country import from other countries?
      • How does this trade benefit the chosen country and the countries it trades with?
    • After researching, have each group present their findings to the class. Encourage discussion on how international trade benefits countries economically and culturally.
    • Have students create a comic that displays the main export of the country they chose and how the import benefits the United States.

    Closure:

    • Have students share their comics with the class or in small groups.
    • Emphasize that international trade fosters economic growth, cultural exchange, and access to a wider variety of goods and services, but trade policies can influence who benefits and at what cost.

    Differentiation:

    • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
    • Allow students to work in pairs or groups as needed.
    • Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.
    • Allow students to use the closed-caption feature while watching the video. 
    • Preteach vocabulary or provide vocabulary definitions, e.g., supply and demand, goods, services, and the concept of trade.

    Resources:

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