Other items may be cheaper or easier to make in other countries. Additionally, some U.S. companies employ factory workers overseas to make products for the U.S. market. Have students mark these places on a world outline map, available at the Xpeditions Atlas. For homework, ask students to keep track of their own global experiences by listing the items they use during a typical morning while getting ready for school. Ask them to find out where these items come from and to map them on another world outline map.
Chances are good that their belongings are primarily from the United States or East Asia.
Ask them to discuss why they think this would be the case. Have them write brief essays describing the products that this country exports and explaining whether they have seen any of these products in their daily lives. Challenge students to see if they can find items in their house from each of the six permanently inhabited continents. All rights reserved.