Impact of US Tariffs on Global Food Prices
Created byMark Hensley
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Impact of US Tariffs on Global Food Prices

Grade 9Other6 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)
This project-based learning experience for 9th-grade students explores the impact of rising U.S. tariffs on global food prices through the lens of international trade, supply chain dynamics, and governmental policies. Students engage in activities such as an international cook-off and a research-based 'Tariff Treasure Hunt' to develop an understanding of how tariffs influence food costs and availability. By analyzing primary and secondary sources, students gain critical thinking, research, and analytical skills while evaluating the complex relationship between tariffs and economic systems. The project culminates with students reflecting on their learning journey and assessing their ability to explain tariff impacts.
TariffsInternational TradeGlobal Food PricesSupply ChainGovernmental PoliciesResearch SkillsEconomic Systems
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How are rising tariffs by the United States influencing food prices, considering international trade dynamics, supply chain factors, and governmental trade policies?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are tariffs, and how do they influence international trade and domestic economies?
  • How do rising tariffs impact the cost of imported goods?
  • In what ways can changes in tariffs affect consumer prices in the United States?
  • What is the relationship between global supply chains and pricing of food ingredients?
  • How do governmental trade policies influence the availability and price of food ingredients sourced internationally?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will understand the concept of tariffs and their function in international trade.
  • Students will analyze the impact of rising tariffs on food prices, particularly for imported goods.
  • Students will evaluate the relationship between global supply chains and consumer pricing.
  • Students will investigate how trade policies can affect the availability and cost of food ingredients.
  • Students will develop research skills by investigating international trade dynamics and government policies related to tariffs.
  • Students will enhance critical thinking by assessing how changes in tariffs influence domestic economies.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2
Primary
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.Reason: Students will need to research and summarize information about tariffs and their effects on food prices.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.3
Primary
Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.Reason: Through exploring the impacts of tariffs, students will analyze a series of connected events and ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1
Primary
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.Reason: Students will write arguments and analyses regarding how tariffs affect food pricing, supporting their claims with research.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.LE.A.1
Supporting
Distinguish between situations that can be modeled with linear functions and with exponential functions.Reason: Students may need to use mathematical modeling to understand trends or predict future prices.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS.DCI.A.ESS3.C
Supporting
Human Impacts on Earth Systems, including how economic activity (such as tariffs) influences environmental systems.Reason: Exploring the broader impact of tariffs on environmental systems aligns with understanding human impacts on Earth.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Culinary Connection - International Cook-off

Students explore global dishes by preparing meals requiring ingredients affected by tariffs. They document how price fluctuations alter recipe choices and consumer behavior, offering a tasty path to understanding economic concepts.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Tariff Treasure Hunt

In this activity, students will explore and explain the concept of tariffs by engaging in a treasure hunt for information. They will identify and summarize different perspectives about tariffs, using reliable primary and secondary sources to understand how tariffs function in international trade.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce the concept of tariffs and discuss their purpose in international trade.
2. Assign students to find at least three primary or secondary sources discussing tariffs.
3. Students will read the sources and summarize the central ideas and key details in their portfolios.
4. Conduct a class discussion where students share their findings and insights from their research.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA portfolio entry comprising summaries of at least three sources about tariffs.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2 by requiring students to determine central ideas of sources and summarize them accurately.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Tariff Exploration and Analysis Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Tariffs and Trade

Evaluates the student's comprehension of tariffs and their role in international trade and economic activities.
Criterion 1

Tariff Comprehension

Measures the student's understanding of the purpose and function of tariffs within international trade.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of tariffs, articulating their multifaceted roles and impacts on international trade and domestic economies with depth and accuracy.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows a thorough understanding of tariffs and their general impact on international trade, providing clear explanations and examples.

Developing
2 Points

Shows emerging understanding of tariffs with some inaccuracies or incomplete aspects, providing basic descriptions.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates minimal understanding of tariffs, with significant misconceptions or gaps in knowledge.

Criterion 2

Source Evaluation and Summary

Assesses the ability to identify, evaluate, and summarize relevant primary and secondary sources regarding tariffs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies and evaluates sources with exceptional insight, providing comprehensive and accurate summaries that highlight key ideas and insights.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately identifies and summarizes sources, providing a mostly clear and thorough explanation of central ideas.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies sources but summaries may lack coherence or completeness, with partial or vague explanations.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify appropriate sources or provide accurate summaries, with significant omissions.

Category 2

Research and Analytical Skills

Measures the ability to conduct research, develop arguments, and analyze the impact of tariffs on food prices using evidence.
Criterion 1

Research Skills

Evaluates how effectively the student conducts research to gather information about tariffs and their effects.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts thorough and in-depth research using a wide range of reliable sources to gain a nuanced understanding of tariffs.

Proficient
3 Points

Performs effective research and uses a variety of sources to understand tariffs and their impacts.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates basic research skills with limited or inconsistent source application.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows minimal research skills and struggles to find or use sources effectively.

Criterion 2

Analytical Skill

Assesses the ability to analyze information and develop coherent arguments about the impact of tariffs on food prices.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exhibits exceptional analytical thinking, forming insightful, well-supported arguments about tariff impacts with clarity and depth.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates effective analytical thinking with well-constructed arguments supported by relevant evidence.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic analysis with some evidence but lacks depth or clear argumentation.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with analysis, providing unsupported or unclear arguments.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of tariffs and their impact on food prices has evolved throughout this module. What were some surprising insights you gained?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about explaining the effects of tariffs on food prices to someone else?

Scale
Required
Question 3

What strategies did you find most effective in conducting research on tariffs and synthesizing the information? Choose all that apply.

Multiple choice
Optional
Options
Using primary sources
Summarizing central ideas and details
Class discussions
Collaborative work with peers
Independent analysis