Bananas+from+Manolo+to+Margie+Reinforcing+Activity

__Materials Needed: __ Computers Posters Markers Multicolored Construction Paper

1. Once the class has read //Bananas from Manolo to Margie//, discuss as a class what it means for countries to be dependent on each other for trade. Ask some of the following questions:
 * What does it mean to be dependent on someone?
 * Can dependence be a positive thing? In what cases?
 * Do you think that the United States is dependent on other countries?
 * How was the United States dependent on Honduras?

2. Following the discussion above, break the students into 5 or 6 teams, depending on class size. Have them do **research** on other countries (each team is to select a different country) and what they produce to send to the United States, for example:
 * food
 * clothing
 * electronics
 * transportation, etc.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. Once they have found a country and what it produces for the United States, have each team make a **poster** that represents their chosen country and what they produce. They should also be able to tell you //why// that country produces what they do. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">For example, in the story, Honduras produces bananas that are shipped to the United States. They produce bananas because their climate is more appropriate for the growth of bananas.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. After the students have created their posters, allow them to present to the class what they have found.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. Have each student write a short reflection on what they have learned. Make sure that students understand: <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dependence on others can be a positive thing <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It creates more trade opportunities between countries. This should be evident with all the different countries being represented.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. Conclude the class by having students discuss and research what other countries are //dependent on the United States for// and for what reasons.