Looking for an interactive international trade lesson plan that brings global economics to life? This engaging international trade classroom activity uses Goosechase to help students explore how goods, services, and currencies flow between nations through teamwork, data analysis, and hands-on exploration.

Interactive International Trade Lesson Plan Overview

International trade isn’t just about shipping containers and spreadsheets—it’s the engine behind the clothes we wear, the food we eat, and the tech we rely on every day.

In this interactive lesson, students explore the dynamic world of global trade through real-world examples, engaging activities, and a Goosechase scavenger hunt that brings complex economic concepts to life. Whether they’re calculating exchange rates, spotting trade barriers, or uncovering imports in their backpacks, students will leave with a deeper understanding of how our world is connected through commerce.

Grade: 11 - 12

Subject: Economics / Business Studies

Learning Objectives for the Interactive International Trade Lesson 

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

• Define international trade and explain its importance to the global economy.
• Understand key concepts such as comparative advantage, trade barriers, exchange rates, and balance of trade.
• Identify the benefits and challenges of international trade for countries and businesses.
• Demonstrate understanding through interactive review and applied scenarios.

Materials for Your International Trade Classroom Activity  

• Mobile devices (tablets, phones, or laptops) with the Goosechase app installed
• Whiteboard and markers or slides
• Handouts or a digital summary of key terms and formulas
• Internet-enabled devices (phones, tablets, or laptops) for Goosechase

Preparation for the Goosechase International Trade Experience :

• Create an Experience on the Goosechase app with a series of Missions focussed on international trading.
• Develop Missions that require students to demonstrate their understanding of what they have learned. Example Missions:
  • Name Drop – Text: Define comparative advantage in your own words and give one example.
  • Tariff Tag – Photo: Find or draw an item that would become more expensive with a tariff.
  • Trade Tales – Video: In a 20-second video, explain how international trade impacts your daily life.
  • Currency Quest – Text/Image: Identify three world currencies and one country that uses each.
  • Global Goods – Photo: Snap a pic of five different items you use daily that were likely imported.
  • Barrier Breakdown – Text: What is one trade barrier and how does it affect businesses?
  • Surplus or Deficit - Text: Explain the difference between a trade surplus and a trade deficit. Then, tell us whether you think a surplus is always a good thing. Why or why not?
  • Trade Talk - Text: Pick a trade agreement or international organization (e.g., WTO, USMCA, EU). What is its purpose, and how does it help facilitate trade?

Find Example Missions in the Goosechase Template below

• Adapt the difficulty of the Missions based on the proficiency levels of your students to keep the activity inclusive and engaging for everyone.
• Prepare hints or resources that might help students solve the Missions if needed.
• Divide students into teams and assign each team a mobile device with the app, or have students complete the scavenger hunt individually.
• Run your Experience during one class period or longer.
• App Set-Up 
  • Dedicate time to ensuring all students have the Goosechase app downloaded and joined to the Experience to avoid any tech issues.

Interactive International Trade Lesson Plan Overview

• Teaching Concepts
  • Definition of International Trade – Exchanging goods and services across borders.
  • Comparative vs. Absolute Advantage – Why countries trade what they’re best at producing.
  • Trade Barriers – Tariffs, quotas, embargoes, and subsidies.
  • Exchange Rates – How currencies impact import/export decisions.
  • Balance of Trade & Balance of Payments – Trade surplus vs. trade deficit.
  • Global Trade Organizations – WTO, IMF, trade blocs like USMCA or the EU.
  • Suggested Activities:
    • Use a short video or interactive slides to explain each concept.
    • Include real-world examples (e.g., Canada exporting lumber, tech imports from Asia).
    • Ask students: “How does international trade affect your everyday life?”
• Group Activity: Trade Policy Debate
  • Teams are assigned a trade policy (e.g., free trade vs. protectionism).
  • Each team presents a 2-minute pitch.
  • Class votes on the most persuasive argument.
• Goosechase Global Trade Scavenger Hunt
  • Read through Missions with students, emphasizing the importance of evidence and analysis in their responses.
  • Monitor progress and provide assistance as necessary.
  • If working in teams, encourage them to strategize and collaborate to solve the Missions.
  • Sit back and enjoy watching your students collaborate and demonstrate their learning.
• Debrief and Reflection
  • Review the activity, discussing which missions were the most challenging or fun.
  • Discuss how teams collaborated and solved problems together.
  • What new connections did you make between the concepts?
  • How do these macroeconomic indicators impact our lives?
  • Optionally, award prizes to the team(s) with the highest score.

Assessments & Extensions

Optional Post-Experience Activities:

• Exit Ticket
  • Students name one benefit and one drawback of international trade.
• Written Response 
  • Students write a short paragraph on how the United States benefits from international trade.
• Case Study 
  • Choose a company that exports goods or services. Write a one-page summary of what it exports, where it exports to, and how international trade affects its operations.
• Infographic 
  • Design a visual that explains the process of international trade (e.g., from production to consumer), or compares different types of trade barriers.

Assessment and Reflection: Evaluating Global Trade Understanding

• Participation and teamwork during activities.
• Engagement with Goosechase missions.
• Assessment of any post-lesson assignments.

Ready Made Experience

Trade Trek: Exploring the Global Marketplace

Explore the world of global trade! Complete fun missions to show what you know about imports, exports, trade barriers, and more. Let’s trade up!

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FAQs

Q: What is a fun way to teach international trade? A: Try an interactive international trade lesson plan using Goosechase! Students explore trade concepts through missions and teamwork.

Q: What grade level is this lesson for? A: Designed for grades 11–12, this activity fits economics, business, and global studies classes.

Q: What skills do students build? A: Collaboration, economic reasoning, and global awareness.

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