China's Growing Influence - Wednesday, 3/08/06

Bell-Work:

• What did you think about yesterday's quiz?
  
• Was it hard? Was it easy?
  

Objective:
SWBAT explain why China is growing in importance and influence in the world today.

Homework:
Find at least 3 things in your house that were made in China. Write them down on a sheet of paper and briefly explain why China today is an important country.

Directions:

1. Do the "See For Yourself" activity as a group.
2. Complete the reading on China's Growing Influence.
3. Complete Assignments #1 & #2.
   

See For Yourself: Using the information you find in each link, discover for yourself many interesting facts about China.

1. How many people live in China? - Infer: How does this make China important?
2. How much money do people in China make each year? (Hint: #118) - How does this compare to America?
3. How much money does the whole country of China make each year?
   

Reading: China was once the richest country in the world and the model for all other civilizations. But after the Opium Wars, the effects of European imperialism and then years and years of terrible war, China grew very poor. Poverty is still a big problem in China, but the country is growing richer and richer.


China's trade with other countries is a big deal. It is because of this trade that China has been able to become richer. The U.S. does a lot of business with China, and so do many other countries. So many countries want to trade with China because they have a large population of people who are willing to work long hours for little money just to get a job. They are able to make many things (clothes, plastics, tools, computers, etc.) for very little money because their companies do not need to pay people very much to work for them. It is because of its rich trade and its potential for future wealth that China's influence is growing quickly.

Assignment #1:

1. WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR SEAT, find as many things in class as you can that were made in China (shoes, shirts, backpacks, etc.).
2. Why are so many of the things we use every day made in China?
3. How does this make China an influential country? Explain in at least 2 sentences.

Assignment #2:

1. Many people today believe China is one of the most influential countries in the world.
   
2. Do you agree that China is a very influential country? Why or why not?
3. You have just met someone who does not believe that China is very important. Using what you have learned about China in the world today, write 2 paragraphs that explain why China is important.

Homework:
Find at least 3 things in your house that were made in China. Write them down on a sheet of paper and briefly explain why China today is an important country.