Topic 3: Economic Issues Affect Cooperation between Germany, the European Union, and Other Nations

Lesson 1
Step #2: Extending and Refining Information

Strategy: Compare and Contrast

What factors were important in designing the Euro bank notes?

Activities

Project Slide #13: Topic 3, Lesson 1 (What Does the Euro Look Like?)

Ask students to quietly examine the Euro and take notes on its design, making general observations about the symbols shown on the currency. Once finished, students should summarize their notes in a paragraph.

Ask students What factors do you think were considered in choosing the images for the bank notes? Responses might include: the map of Europe on each note shows no individual national boundaries; the EU flag is present on each note; multi-national or related to common cultural history rather than nation-specific.

Have students examine U.S. currency to compare and contrast. Have students reconstruct their paragraph summary, adding, deleting, and/or substituting information as necessary. Students should make sure the paragraph answers the question What is the reason for the differences between the design of the Euro note and U.S. currency?