Pass-Ed's Living Textbook
Free Lesson Plans for Teachers
Alpha Stage
Bush Abroad
November 16, 2006






A New York Times article states:

"Mr. Bush also sought to reassure American allies and trading partners
that the United States was not on the retreat in the Pacific, just as
China is rapidly expanding its influence throughout the region."

According to the article, Mr. Bush continued,
“In this new century, America will remain engaged in Asia, because
our interests depend on the expansion of freedom and opportunity in
this region...We hear voices calling for us to retreat from the world
and close our doors to these opportunities. These are the old
temptations of isolationism and protectionism, and America must
reject them.”
Read the article!!


Discussion-Starters:

  • Ask your child(ren) what the following words mean: “contain,”
    “export,” and “isolationism.” Ask if they can think of
    something that people do that's similar to isolationism. Perhaps
    the concept, “minding your own business.” Ask your child(ren)
    when they think it's appropriate to mind their own business. Do
    they ever think it’s appropriate not to mind their own business.
    When? Encourage them to support their opinions. What do you
    think?

  • Ask your child(ren) if they think it’s important for the President
    of the United States to travel abroad. If he’s the President of
    the United States why should he care what happens outside of
    the United States? What do you think? Encourage your child
    (ren) to give examples of things that occur outside of the
    United that effect us here.

  • President Bush warned North Korea not to export either nuclear
    technology or weapons. Tell your child(ren) to pretend that the
    President has asked for advice. He wants to know what to do
    to ensure that North Korea does not spread nuclear know-how.
    If this fails and North Korea does give away or sell its nuclear
    knowledge, what can the United States do to make sure that we
    know about this when it happens? Push your child(ren) to
    explain why their particular strategies might work. What might
    be the weaknesses of these strategies? What advice would you
    give the President?

  • This article explains that China is currently expanding it’s
    influence throughout Asia. Ask your child(ren) how they think
    that a country can expand its influence. If China does indeed
    expand its influence, what could that mean about the influence
    that the United States has in Asia? China has the fastest
    growing economy in the world. It is a major superpower. With
    these facts in mind, ask your child(ren) if they think that the
    United States should seek to maintain influence in Asia?
    Encourage them to explain their opinions. What do you think?
If you like these
lesson ideas
you'll love our
newsletter!!
Learn More!!
Google