Benny's+Pennies+Reinforcing+Activity

__Objective:__ Students will be able identify advantages and disadvantages of interdependence and trade between countries around the world.

__Materials:__
 * Objects to use as “currency” (pennies, paperclips, buttons, marbles, rubber bands, small like objects etc.)
 * Objects to be bought (dollar store trinket toys, stickers, candy, etc.)
 * Markers
 * Construction Paper
 * Tape

__Activity:__
 * 1) Start by breaking up students into groups as evenly as possible.
 * 2) Each group will represent a different country and each group will have its own “currency” and goods that they will be selling. The group will get a slip of paper stating what their currency is and what good they will be selling.
 * 3) Have students use the markers and construction paper to make a sign to tape on their groups desk saying what country they are, what they are selling, and what it costs.
 * 4) As the teacher preset the value of each currency like in a real global market and put this on the board so students can use it as a reference, example: 1 US currency is equal to 2 Chinese currencies.
 * 5) Give each member in the group 5 objects of currency just like in the book.
 * 6) Have groups discuss what they would like to buy and make a list of goods like Benny.
 * 7) Have students then (one per group at a time) go to the other groups or “countries” to buy the different goods they are selling.
 * 8) Students may combine their currency within their groups to purchase items.
 * 9) At the end students should be out of money and each have a good that they purchased.
 * 10) Come back as a class and discuss why it would be important for countries to sell goods to other countries? How might it help them as a country? Did it expand or limit your choices of what to buy? Is that an advantage or disadvantage?
 * 11) Have students write a brief reflection on what they spent and what they got and why interdependence between countries is important.