Trading Web
Objective:
Use yarn to form a web representing production and trade.
Nebraska State Standards:
Social Studies 12.4.3 –
Procedure:
Students use information they have learned about international trade to create and describe a trade relationship among
imaginary countries. Give teams of 2-3 students one of the
brief descriptions from the Country Start-Up worksheet. They
use this brief description to create an imaginary country using
the New World worksheet. Students create information about
possible natural resources, imports, exports and trade barriers.
After creating and naming the imaginary country, students sit in a large
circle. Each group of students shares information about their imaginary
country, particularly information about possible imports and exports. Students should listen carefully; they will be asked to establish trade relationships with other imaginary “countries” to meet needs and wants.
Give one “country” a ball of yarn. They throw the ball of yarn to another
“country” with which they would like to establish a trade relationship.
The students must describe the need for this trade relationship.
For example, one “country” in a cold climate might throw the ball of yarn
to another “country” with a warm climate in order to get fruit and vegetables.
While holding onto the string, the warm “country” may throw the ball of yarn to another “country” that has oil reserves necessary to meet transportation needs. “Trade relationships”
continue to be established by throwing the ball of yarn around the circle.
Each “country” can have the ball of yarn more than once illustrating a country with several trade
relationship. In this way, the students will create a visible “web” to show the interdependence of
international trade.
Materials:
Country Start-Up worksheet
New World worksheet
Ball of yarn
SOURCE: Adapated from Ohio Agriculture in the Classroom, Lessons in Economics.
Country Start-Up
Below are brief descriptions that students
can use to create their new “countries.”
One description should be given
to each small group of students.
The descriptions can be
used more than once.
Country D
This cool climate country is about the size of Texas.
It has a long coastline with deep bays and harbors
on the ocean. The climate is mild, summer
temperatures range from 60 degrees to 80 degrees
Fahrenheit, and winter temperatures range from
20 degrees to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall is
average, falling mostly in the summer. The land is
mostly rocky highlands descending to the shores.
Forests cover about half of the land.
Country E
Country A
This small island is about the size of Ohio and is
located in the middle of the ocean. The ocean
moderates the mild climate. Summer and winter
temperatures only vary about nine degrees, from
70 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 79 degrees
Fahrenheit in the the summer. Rainfall is moderate,
40 to 60 inches per year. This island has good soil,
beautiful beaches, and a large diamond mine.
Country B
This small country is about the size of Maine. It is
land-locked, surrounded by other countries. It has
the two largest fresh-water lakes in the world. The
climate is very mild, summer temperatures range
from 65 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and
winter temperatures range from 40 degrees to
55 degrees Fahrenheit. The land is flat and the
soil is good. Most of the land has been cleared
and is used as farms.
Country F
This agricultural country is about the same size
as the U.S. east of the Mississippi. It has several
river systems and good soil. The climate is moderate,
temperature range between 60 degrees and
80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, and between
20 degrees and 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
Rainfall is moderate, 40 to 60 inches per year. Farms
cover most of the land; there are very few large cities.
Country C
This cold climate country is about the size of Alaska.
The summer is very short, only about eight weeks of
temperatures ranging from 60 degrees to 75 degrees
Fahrenheit. The long winters have severe cold,
ranging from -20 degrees to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
The country has a huge supply of oil, natural gas
and other minerals. Forests cover most of the land.
The population is small.
This large country is about the size of the U.S. west
of the Mississippi. It is located near the equator and
has a hot and wet climate year round. It has several
large river systems that drain into the ocean. Most
of the land is covered by a rain forest. Many exotic
plants and endangered species of animals can be
found here.
Country G
This land-locked country is about the size of Ohio.
The colder climate allows for a short growing season
during the summer. Most of the population mines
iron ore and works in the steel and manufacturing
industry. An elaborate river system and canals are
used extensively for transportation.
SOURCE: Adapated from Ohio Agriculture in the Classroom, Lessons in Economics.
New World
Name of Team
______________________________
Country (A-G)
______________________________
Name of New World Country
______________________________
Fill in the lines below. Your information should be created to fit the description for your New World Country.
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Products We Export
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Products We Import
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Possible Blocks or Barriers to Trade
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
SOURCE: Adapated from Ohio Agriculture in the Classroom, Lessons in Economics.
Your Flag Design