Lesson Plan - Where Did Your Headphones Come From?

Build Background Knowledge

Before reading the article, direct students to view the video “Imports and Exports” on junior.scholastic.com. Then have students respond to the prompt at the end of the video: What things do you use every day that might have been imported from another country? Invite students to share their responses with the class. Then use Words to Know to preteach the domain-specific terms domestically, economy, exporter, imports, and pharmaceutical.

Read the Article

Read the article aloud or have students read it independently or in pairs. As students read, direct them to circle or highlight any words whose meanings they are unsure of. 

Answer Close-Reading Questions

Have students write their responses, or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.

• Use details from the text to explain why the United States imports so many products. (Central Idea)
The U.S. imports so many products for several reasons. First, some items are cheaper when they are made in countries where materials and labor are less expensive than in the U.S. Additionally, some items are found only in limited amounts in the U.S., so they must be brought in from other countries. Finally, the U.S. has the biggest economy of any country, which gives it buying power. 

• How does the movement of imports and exports connect nations? (Cause and Effect) 
The movement of imports and exports connects nations financially because they buy and sell products from each other. It also affects what they manufacture. Countries specialize in creating or growing certain products that other countries rely on. When nations trade with each other, their economies become interdependent. 

• Identify some of the natural resources that the U.S. imports from Canada and Mexico. (Interpreting Visual Information) 
The U.S. imports crude oil, natural gas, and lumber from Canada. It imports fruits and vegetables from Mexico.

Your Turn: Make Connections 

Direct students to the “Your Turn” activity at the end of the article. Students will highlight at least two reasons the U.S. imports goods. Then students will respond to this question: How is the U.S. economy connected to other countries’ economies? Encourage students to consider how the U.S. buying goods and services from another country could help that country’s economy. 

Assess Comprehension

Assign the 10-question Know the News quiz, available in PDF and interactive forms. You can also use Quiz Wizard to assess comprehension of this article and three others from the issue.