aidemia--modules-lessonplan_request	Titles of parts of the lesson must be formatted as headings
What to create	Lesson plan
Which subject	History
What topic	George W. Bush 43rd US President and the NAFTA
What length (min)	30
What age group	Year or Grade 7
Include homework
Include images descriptions
Any other preferences	DOK 3

Lesson Plan: George W. Bush and NAFTA

Grade Level: 7

Subject: History

Duration: 30 Minutes

Depth of Knowledge: Level 3 (Strategic Thinking)

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Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Summarize the key aspects of George W. Bush's presidency.
2. Analyze the importance and impacts of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
3. Draw connections between George W. Bush's policies and their effects on the U.S. economy.

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Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector and computer for presentations/videos
• Handouts summarizing key points of NAFTA
• Laptops or tablets (if available) for research

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Lesson Outline

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Hook: Begin with a thought-provoking question: "How do you think trade agreements shape a country's economy?"
• Briefly introduce George W. Bush as the 43rd President of the United States (2001-2009) and explain that today's focus will be on his administration and the impact of NAFTA.

Direct Instruction (10 minutes)

• Overview of George W. Bush's Presidency:

  • Key events: 9/11 attacks, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and economic challenges.
  • Emphasis on his domestic policies, including economic strategies and trade relations.

• Introduction to NAFTA:

  • Explain what NAFTA is: a trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, established in 1994.
  • Discuss the purpose of NAFTA: to promote trade by eliminating tariffs and fostering economic cooperation among the three nations.

Guided Practice (10 minutes)

• Group Activity:
  • Divide the class into small groups.
  • Assign each group a different aspect of NAFTA, such as:
    • Economic impacts on the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
    • Workers' rights and job impacts
    • Environmental concerns
  • Instruct groups to research their assigned topic using handouts and laptops/tablets, discussing how these aspects connect to Bush’s policies during his presidency.

Independent Practice (5 minutes)

• Reflection Writing:
  • Have students write a short paragraph summarizing what they learned about NAFTA's effects on trade during Bush's presidency.
  • Prompt them to consider: "How did NAFTA reflect or challenge Bush's overall economic philosophy?"

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Closure (5 minutes)

• Class Discussion:
  • Invite a few students to share their reflections.
  • Summarize key takeaways: the complexity of trade agreements and the impact of leadership decisions on international economics.

Assessment

• Collect students' reflection paragraphs to evaluate their understanding of the topic.
• Informally assess participation in group discussions and activities.

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Differentiation

• Provide additional resources for advanced learners, such as articles for deeper understanding of U.S.-Mexico relations.
• Offer guided support for students who need assistance with the research activity.

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Reflection

• After the lesson, consider what went well and what could be improved for future classes. Take note of students' engagement and understanding to inform your next lesson on U.S. history.

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This lesson plan provides a comprehensive approach to understanding George W. Bush's presidency and NAFTA, allowing Grade 7 students to engage deeply with historical content and develop critical thinking skills.