NY Social Studies 5.7c

Social Studies5th GradeKey Idea 5.7

The Standard

Countries trade with other countries to meet economic needs and wants. They are interdependent.

New York State K–12 Social Studies Framework

Key Idea 5.7

ECONOMICS: The peoples of the Western Hemisphere have developed various ways to meet their needs and wants. Many of the countries of the Western Hemisphere trade with each other, as well as with other countries around the world.

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do: Students identify goods the United States buys from and sells to other countries, especially countries in the Western Hemisphere. They connect imports to U.S. demand and exports to buyers abroad. They explain how trade can affect consumers, businesses, jobs, supply, and prices.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can use product labels or trade scenarios to identify imports and exports. The student can link demand to trade and name a reasonable effect on U.S. consumers, workers, businesses, or prices.
Common Misconceptions: Students often reverse imports and exports. Some assume imports always hurt the United States or that exports only help other countries. They may also think each country can produce everything it needs.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A U.S. store buys bananas from Ecuador, and a U.S. farm sells wheat to Mexico. Label each trade, then explain one effect on a U.S. consumer or business.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

Give pairs product cards and a hemisphere map; students place import and export arrows, then write one economic effect beside each arrow.
Have students explain why the United States might buy a product it could make, citing demand, cost, climate, or supply.
Run an Import or Export relay using cards such as Mexican tomatoes, U.S. corn, Canadian lumber, and U.S. machinery.
Use a grocery flyer to trace three imported foods, then predict how a shipping delay could affect shoppers, stores, and prices.

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