Free Lesson Plans for Teachers: Latin America

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Free Lesson Plans for Teachers
Alpha Stage

Latin America
March 9, 2007

MSNBC is running a story entitled, "Street Protests Greet Bush Upon
Arrival in Brazil." The subtitle states, "President Seeks to Improve
Relations with Latin American on Weeklong Trip."

But he was not the only head of state on the move.

The article states, "Bush arrived in South America’s largest city in the
evening on a mission intended to promote democracy, increased trade
and cooperation on alternative fuels. The president and his advisers also
hoped his visit would offset the growing influence of leftist leaders, such
as Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez."

Chavez is marking the President's visit with a tour of his own, across the
region.

Read the Article!!

Discussion-Starters for Younger Children

Have your child(ren) ever met somebody who does not speak
English? Who? Even if your child (ren) have never met somebody
who does not speak English, ask them how they think they could
communicate with somebody who does not speak the same
language as them.

Ask your child(ren) if they should be allowed to own their own
toys? Why/why not? Is it better for people to own their own toys
or for all kids to share their toys with one another? Why? Should
kids share their toys with others, even if they own them?
Why/why not? Do they always have to share?

Do your child(ren) think that they should be allowed to say
whatever they want to say or are there some things that they
should not say? Is there anything that people should go to jail for
saying? What? Why?

Pose: Imagine that there is a special drink that makes people
strong. The world is running out of this drink and there is no way
to make more of this same exact drink. If your child(ren) were in
charge of the world what would they do to enable people to stay
strong?

Discussion-Starters for Older Children

Vocabulary terms to discuss: Imperialist; "Leftist Leaders"; tariff;
and, Thwart.

What languages do they speak in Latin America?

According to the article, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de
Silva plans to appeal to the United States Congress to repeal the
54-cent per gallon U.S. tariff on sugar-based Brazilian ethanol.
Why do your child(ren) think that Congress might have imposed
this tariff? Do they think that Congress should lower it or even
repeal it? If so, under what conditions?

Pose: Imagine that you are close advisor(s) to President Bush. He
asks you if it is important for the United States to wean nations
that have fallen under the influence of Pro-Communist leader
Hugo Chavez, including Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador and
Nicaragua, away from him. Why/why not? If it is important to do
so, how might the U.S. government accomplish this goal?

In response to a question about a vocal protest against him, the
article reports that President Bush said, "I am proud to be going to
a part of the world where people can demonstrate, where people
can express their minds." Ask your child(ren) what they think that
President Bush was thinking as he made this statement. Do your
child(ren) think that the President concerns himself with what
people think about him? Why/why not?

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