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

Lesson 1
Step #4: Application

Strategy: Discussion Web and Prediction

How might the use of the Euro by members of the European Union impact trade with the United States?

Activities

Project Slide #14: Topic 3, Lesson 1 (Trade Statistics). Have the students participate in a discussion web on the possible positive and negative impact of the Euro on the U. S. economy.

Slide #14

Students think individually about the question How might the use of the Euro by members of the European Union impact trade with the United States? They should use Handout #18 and Slide #14 for information they might use to support their opinions.

Then a student discusses his or her ideas with a partner (as a pair). The partners share supporting ideas from the text and from their own experiences. Then the partners pair up with another set of partners. They work as a group of four to eliminate contradictions and inconsistencies in their thinking as they come to a consensus and decide upon one idea that a spokesperson for the group will share with the class.

Have each group make a prediction:

Prediction: How might the trade statistics in Slide 14 change if the Euro were not used by members of the European Union?

Printable Student View

Check for Understanding

FOCUS QUESTION #1: Why is it important for the European Union to have a single currency?

You have been invited to participate in a two-week study trip to Europe. You will visit several nations and live for a short period of time with a German family.

You have been given funds by a local civic organization to pay for your expenses while you visit the European nations. Write a thank you letter to them that also explains why the funds must be provided in a currency that will work in all the nations you intend to visit.