World Geography and Cultures © 2012

Chapter 7: The Region Today: The United States and Canada

Web Activity Lesson Plans

"Economic Interdependence"

Introduction
Students have read about the interdependence of the United States and Canada. Each is the other's largest trading partner, and the two countries have signed agreements that limit restrictions on trade. In this lesson students will learn specific details about the economic relationship between the two countries.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from the Embassy of the United States in Ottawa, Canada, Web site about Canada–United States relations to study the economic relationship between the United States and Canada. They will answer four questions and then use information from the site and their textbook studies to compare and contrast the two countries.

Instructional Objectives

Students will be able to describe the economic relationship between the United States and Canada.
Students will be able to compare and contrast the United States and Canada by creating a Venn diagram.

Applied Content Standards
Standard 11: The geographically informed person knows and understands the patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface.

Student Web Activity Answers

The economic relationship between the United States and Canada is described as unique because the two countries have the largest and most comprehensive trading relationship in the world.
The U.S.-Canada border is important to the livelihoods of millions of Americans because Canada is the leading export market for many of the U.S. states.
Environmental issues include air quality, water quality, protection of migratory birds and other animal species, salmon fishing, and development of clean energy technologies.
A safe and secure border is a key priority because hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods cross the border every year, as well as millions people.
Students' diagrams may vary. Sample responses may include: Canada—divided into provinces, parliamentary democracy, king/queen of England is figurehead, currency, climate; United States—divided into states, headed by president, currency, climate; Both—trading partners, environmental concerns, similar economies/goods produced, Great Lakes.