Understanding the Impact of Trump Tariffs
Created byTeresa Lowery
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Understanding the Impact of Trump Tariffs

Grade 9Other1 days
5.0 (1 rating)
In this ninth-grade project, students explore the role and impact of tariffs with a focus on President Trump's policies. Through activities like research, discussions, and creating infographics, students analyze how tariffs influence international trade and political relations, both historically and in contemporary contexts. The project emphasizes developing critical thinking and communication skills by engaging students in argumentative writing and collaborative learning, ultimately assessing the effectiveness and consequences of tariffs.
TariffsInternational TradeEconomic ImpactPolitical RelationsArgumentationCollaborative LearningPresident Trump
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How do President Trump's tariffs exemplify the role of tariffs in international trade and their impact on economic and political relationships between the U.S. and its trade partners?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is a tariff and how does it impact international trade?
  • How have tariffs historically been used by governments to achieve economic or political goals?
  • What were the specific goals of President Trump’s tariffs and were they achieved?
  • How do tariffs affect relationships between countries, specifically in the context of the U.S. and its trade partners?
  • In what ways can tariffs influence domestic economies both positively and negatively?
  • What are alternative strategies to tariffs for protecting domestic industries and promoting economic growth?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the concept of tariffs and their role in international trade.
  • Analyze the economic and political impacts of President Trump's tariffs on the U.S. and its trade partners.
  • Evaluate alternative strategies to tariffs for achieving economic and political goals.
  • Develop argumentation skills by assessing and arguing the effectiveness of tariffs.
  • Engage in collaborative discussions regarding international trade policies and their impacts.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects

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 analyze sources explaining tariffs and their impacts in order to understand their effects on international trade.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1
Primary
Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.Reason: The project requires students to articulate arguments regarding the effectiveness and impact of the tariffs implemented by President Trump.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.9
Primary
Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.Reason: Students must investigate various sources to provide evidence on how tariffs impact international and domestic economics.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1
Supporting
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.Reason: Students will engage in discussions about the role and impact of tariffs, necessitating collaborative dialogue skills.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Social Media Campaign

Launch a student-led social media campaign aimed at educating their peers about the effects of tariffs on everyday life. By leveraging platforms familiar to students, they can creatively explore the intersection of economics and social media while promoting peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.

Infographic Challenge

Challenge students to create infographics that illustrate how President Trump’s tariffs influence everyday products and consumer prices. This visual representation task allows for creative expression and requires learners to synthesize complex information into accessible formats, fostering deep understanding and retention.

Tariff Impact Case Studies

Introduce the project by analyzing case studies of recent industries affected by tariffs, such as agriculture or technology. Students will engage in exploratory research to understand the diverse impacts of tariffs on different sectors and communities, providing a comprehensive foundation for inquiry-based learning.
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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 Detective: Uncovering the Basics

In this introductory activity, students will explore the concept of tariffs - what they are, how they work, and their impact on international trade.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read and summarize an article explaining what tariffs are and their role in international trade.
2. Watch a video that provides a visual explanation of how tariffs affect global trade and domestic markets.
3. Create a word map or concept chart to display your understanding of tariffs and related terminology.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA summarized article and visual concept map defining tariffs and illustrating their implications.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2 - Determine the central ideas of a primary or secondary source and provide a summary.
Activity 2

Historical Tariffs Time Machine

Students will research historical examples of tariffs, focusing on their economic and political motivations and consequences. This activity deepens their understanding of tariffs' roles throughout history.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify and research one historical tariff example.
2. Analyze the political or economic reasons behind this tariff and the outcomes it led to.
3. Present your findings in a brief report, discussing how this tariff compares to President Trump’s tariffs.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report analyzing a historical tariff, its motivations, outcomes, and comparison to modern tariffs.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1 - Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
Activity 3

Trump's Tariffs: Goal Exploration

This activity guides students through an exploration of President Trump's tariffs, focusing on the intended goals and actual outcomes. Students will critically analyze the tariffs' effectiveness.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the goals President Trump aimed to achieve with his tariff policies.
2. Collect data on the actual economic and political outcomes of these tariffs.
3. Write an argumentative essay assessing the effectiveness of the tariffs in meeting their goals.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn argumentative essay evaluating President Trump's tariffs based on their goals and outcomes.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1 - Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.9 - Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis.
Activity 4

Infographic Creation Challenge

Students will create infographics to visually represent how President Trump's tariffs influence everyday products and consumer prices, honing their ability to simplify complex information.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research specific consumer products affected by the tariffs.
2. Gather data on price changes and import statistics related to these products.
3. Design an infographic that illustrates the impact of tariffs on these products.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visually engaging infographic demonstrating the impact of tariffs on consumer product pricing.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.9 - Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Activity 5

Trade Dialogue: Discussing Tariffs

This activity encourages students to engage in a structured, collaborative discussion about the impacts of tariffs on international relations and domestic economies.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Prepare a list of talking points on the effects of tariffs from previous research.
2. Participate in group discussions, sharing insights and comparing perspectives on the impacts of tariffs.
3. Reflect on the discussion outcomes and summarize key learnings in a group report.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collaborative group report summarizing the discussion and key insights on tariff impacts.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 - Initiate and participate effectively in discussions, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Tariff Analysis and Reflection Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Tariffs

Evaluates students' foundational comprehension of tariffs, including their role in international trade and impact on economic relationships.
Criterion 1

Conceptual Clarity

Measures students' ability to accurately define tariffs and explain their function and implications in trade.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a clear, detailed explanation of tariffs with sophisticated insights into their role in global trade and impacts on economic policies.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately defines tariffs and explains their function and impacts on international trade.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic definition of tariffs, with partial explanation of their trade functions.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to define tariffs or explain their role in trade contexts.

Category 2

Research and Analysis

Assesses the quality and depth of research conducted on historical and current tariffs, including their economic and political effects.
Criterion 1

Research Thoroughness

Evaluates the extent and reliability of information gathered on tariffs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Gathers extensive, reliable research data; expertly synthesizes historical and current tariff impacts.

Proficient
3 Points

Gathers sufficient, reliable information; accurately synthesizes tariffs' effects.

Developing
2 Points

Gathers some relevant data, with limited synthesis of findings.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal research conducted with incomplete data synthesis.

Criterion 2

Analytical Depth

Assesses the ability to critically analyze and compare tariffs for their effectiveness and impacts.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts in-depth analysis with sophisticated comparisons, highlighting nuanced impacts of tariffs.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts thorough analysis with effective comparisons of tariff impacts.

Developing
2 Points

Provides superficial analysis with basic comparisons.

Beginning
1 Points

Little to no analysis or comparison of tariff impacts.

Category 3

Communication and Presentation

Focuses on the clarity, organization, and persuasiveness of conveying findings and arguments in different formats.
Criterion 1

Argumentation and Persuasiveness

Evaluates the strength and clarity of arguments in written and oral formats.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents compelling, well-structured arguments with rich evidence, demonstrating excellent clarity and persuasive power.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents clear, structured arguments with appropriate evidence and persuasion.

Developing
2 Points

Arguments are somewhat structured and lack strong evidence or persuasion.

Beginning
1 Points

Arguments are unclear, poorly structured, and lacking in evidence.

Criterion 2

Visual Communication

Assesses the effectiveness of visual tools like infographics in communicating complex information clearly and engagingly.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates highly engaging, clear visual presentations that simplify complex concepts expertly.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates clear visuals that effectively communicate complex concepts.

Developing
2 Points

Creates basic visuals that communicate some complex concepts.

Beginning
1 Points

Visuals are unclear or fail to communicate complex concepts effectively.

Category 4

Collaboration and Discussion

Measures participation, contribution, and reflection in group discussions and collaborative tasks.
Criterion 1

Participation

Evaluates the level of active participation and collaboration in group activities.

Exemplary
4 Points

Actively and constructively contributes to group discussions, demonstrating leadership and collaboration skills.

Proficient
3 Points

Contributes effectively to group discussions, participating collaboratively.

Developing
2 Points

Participates inconsistently, with minimal contribution to discussions.

Beginning
1 Points

Rarely participates or contributes to group discussions.

Criterion 2

Reflection and Insight

Assesses the depth of reflection on discussion outcomes and learning insights.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides deep reflections with insightful analyses of discussions and personal learning.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides substantial reflections with clear insights into discussions and personal learning.

Developing
2 Points

Offers basic reflections with limited insights.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides little to no reflection or insights on learning.

Reflection Prompts

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

Reflect on your learning journey about tariffs throughout this project. What were your initial thoughts on tariffs, and how have they evolved?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about discussing the economic and political impacts of President Trump's tariffs?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which activity did you find most engaging and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Social Media Campaign
Infographic Challenge
Tariff Impact Case Studies
Tariff Detective
Historical Tariffs Time Machine
Trump's Tariffs: Goal Exploration
Infographic Creation Challenge
Trade Dialogue: Discussing Tariffs
Question 4

How do you think tariffs impact international relationships beyond the economic factors? Provide specific examples or ideas from class discussions or your research.

Text
Required
Question 5

Reflecting on your group discussions, what was a key insight or perspective you gained from your peers regarding the impact of tariffs?

Text
Optional