Social Studies: Trade Mission Proposal
Summary:
Students propose an itinerary for a trade
mission group traveling from another country to Minnesota. (Note:
students may create a travel brochure rather than a formal proposal). While
this activity is not aligned with a specific Minnesota Academic
Standard, it does provide a way to engage students in the Minnesota-China
Trade Mission activities.
Subject Area Focus: Social Studies
Educational Level: Teachers may adapt the activity for
the various grade levels. Intermediate, Middle, High
LEARNING ACTIVITY
Directions
Objectives
- To develop a proposal that includes a rational for the opinion
presented and evidence to support the ideas.
- To summarize information about a local community.
- To consider the needs of an audience.
- To write a letter/proposal, using polite format and conventions.
Preparation: None
Time Required: 2-5 class periods.
Description
Introduction to Students
Going on trade missions to other countries is one of the jobs of
the governor. As the highest ranked representative of the
state, the governor meets with people in other countries to promote
Minnesota goods, products and services. As our nation has
become more and more involved with the international economy,
this part of the governor's job has increased in importance.
Trade, however, goes two ways. People from other countries
also travel to our state to share information about the goods, products
and services that they would like to trade. While here, they
also want to see first-hand what Minnesota has to offer their people
back home.
What would you show people coming to visit Minnesota? It
probably depends on who they are and what they are looking to find. The
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
has the job of presenting the resources of our state to people who
come to visit.
In order to do so, they need to know what each community, business,
or organization has to offer. In this activity, you are going to
take on the role of a researcher working for DEED to present a plan
for hosting a trade mission group from another country.
Process
- Introduce students to the purpose and intent of trade missions,
using the introduction above and resources on the DEED Positively
Minnesota Web site: http://www.deed.state.mn.us/.
- Look for information on International Business Development
Missions, summary information about Minnesota businesses, and
other resources available for Minnesotans looking to develop
their business internationally.
- Select (or have students select) the community or industry
that will be the focus of study. This activity may be done
independently, in small groups, or as a whole class project.
- Have student conduct initial research to identify resources,
goods and services that people from other communities would
be interested in purchasing.
- Have students identify a target audience for their proposal.
- Guide students to identify specific research questions and
then conduct further research. This research may include interviews
(in person, via phone or email) with representatives of the
community or industry studied as well as online resources.
- Have students develop a proposal as if they were presenting
to representatives at DEED, a local chamber of commerce, or
representatives from the target audience. The proposal could
be presented as a written memo or as a presentation with handouts,
and a slideshow. Consider presenting or sending the proposals
to an authentic audience (e.g., the local chamber of commerce,
representatives from the industries.)
- Have student include the following in their proposal:
- The name of the community (this may be a town, school district,
region, etc).
- The target audience. Who you are proposing to visit Minnesota? This
may be representatives from a particular country or may be
people with a particular focus (e.g., people interested in
fiber optics, tourism, prairie restoration, the timber industry,
etc.).
- An introduction to the community, including where it is,
who lives in the community, and for what the community is best
known.
- A sample itinerary of the places and people you would show
to the visitors. Include a description of each place
or group of people included in your itinerary, describing what
they have to offer the visitors.
Learning Resources
Sites to Gather Data on Your Community
Minnesota State Government portal: http://northstar.state.mn.us/.
Department of Employment and Economic Development: http://www.deed.state.mn.us.
Community Profiles: http://www.mnpro.com/.
This site includes detailed community profiles that include information
on location, population, work force, and many other factors -
Explore Minnesota: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/
Links to city sites: http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?subchannel=-536879913&id=-8494&agency=NorthStar
Printable Materials: None
Evidence of Learning: The following product(s)
supply evidence of student learning.
Process evidence (notes, drafts)
Written proposal (or travel brochure)
Presentation and accompanying supports (handouts, slideshow)
Special Notes
Technology Integration
Incorporate technology tools and resources in ways that enhance
and support teaching and learning.
- Use word processing, graphics, and/or desktop publishing
software for the proposal (or the travel brochure).
- Use multi-media software to create a slideshow or presentation
for the proposal (or the travel brochure).
Accommodations
Change the activity to accommodate students with different needs,
knowledge and skills.
- Have students create the proposal as a group.
- Have small groups take responsibility for being the experts
on one of the places or groups of people listed in the proposal.
- Use a travel brochure format instead. The primary question
answered remains the same - why should the reader come to your
community? This would change the audience of the document
to a more general one - tourists in general.
Extensions
Extend students' learning with additional activities.
- Have student present their proposals to the local Chamber
of Commerce or other interested parties.
- Ask a member of your local Chamber of Commerce visit your
class and share how the Chamber promotes the community.
Entire List of Curriculum Activities
|
