Minds On
Task 1: Examining trades
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Examine the series of trades below. Work with a partner, if possible, and decide if you think the trade is fair or unfair.
Consider the following questions when deciding if it is a fair trade:
- What criteria did you use to decide if the trade is fair?
- If you do not think it is a fair trade, what could make it fair?
The first trade is one ice-cream sandwich for three cookies.
The second trade is a laptop for a phone.
The third trade is one one-hundred-dollar bill for a laptop.
Press ‘What is a trade?’ to review the definition of trading.
A trade is a transfer of goods and services, often in exchange for money from one individual or organization to another. Trades can occur on small levels, such as at a grocery store, or on bigger levels, such as between countries. Goods that are brought into a country are called imports. Goods that are sold to another country are called exports.
Action
Task 1: Trading in your life
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Brainstorm different kinds of trades you come across in your daily life. If possible, share your brainstorm list with a partner. After sharing, what can you add to your list?
Complete the List of Trades in your notebook, using speech to text, or using the following fillable and printable document.
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Day-to-day trades |
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Press the ‘Activity’ button to access List of Trades.
Task 2: Trade or no trade?
Examine the scenarios below and decide if they qualify as a trade. A trade is a transfer of goods/services in exchange for something (usually money).
Scenarios:
- a person going to a clothing store and leaving with a pair of jeans
- a person volunteering for a charity
- a person buying groceries
- getting a gift from an uncle
- buying something online from Amazon
- walking a dog
- buying on the internet
- doing chores for allowance
- a parent/guardian taking care of their child when they are sick
Complete the Trade or No Trade in your notebook, using speech to text, or using the following fillable and printable document.
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Trade |
No trade |
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Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Trade or No Trade.
Task 3: Canada’s trading partners
Research Canada’s trading partners and find information on:
- what Canada gives to other countries
- what Canada receives from other countries in exchange for what they give
What did you find? What did you notice?
Trades between countries usually involve the exchange of money for a product. For example, if Canada wants to buy oranges, they are most likely going to buy them from another country, such as the United States. This means that they will be giving money to the United States in exchange for the oranges.
Complete the Canada’s Trading Partners in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
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Canada’s top trading partners |
What Canada gives |
What Canada receives |
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United States |
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China |
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United Kingdom |
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Japan |
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Mexico |
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Germany |
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South Korea |
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Netherlands |
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India |
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Hong Kong |
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France |
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Italy |
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Belgium |
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Saudi Arabia |
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Australia |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Canada’s Trading Partners.
Task 4: Researching Fairtrade
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Have you ever noticed a food label with the word “Fairtrade” on it? Let’s discover what that means!
Conduct research to learn the definition of Fairtrade. Record your findings using a method of your choice.
Coffee is an example of a product that can be purchased regularly or with Fairtrade. 31 countries buy Fairtrade coffee, with many people worldwide depending on coffee sales for their lifestyles.
Research some examples of goods and brands that have Fairtrade products in Canada.
- List the Fairtrade products that you learned about.
- Why would a consumer choose to purchase a Fairtrade product?
If possible share what you discovered with a partner and with your class!
Consolidation
Trade negotiations
Imagine you are a part of the Government of Canada. Your task is to develop a plan for a trade with another country. Trade involves the buying and selling of goods and services. International trade allows countries to expand their markets for goods and services that otherwise may not be available to them. In other words, trade benefits the countries involved for different reasons. For example, Canada’s top imports from Japan are autos and auto parts. Canada’s top exports to Japan are agricultural products, including canola seed, pork, and wheat.
In your plan, outline whether Canada is giving money or receiving money for a good or service.
You will decide on:
- the a good or service that Canada receives
- from what country is Canada getting the goods and services (choose from the list of Canada’s top trading partners)
- what it gives to that country in return
Using a method of your choice, create a pitch to the country and explain why it is a fair trade to make.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, text-to-speech, or writing tool.
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