Introduction to Globalization

Overview

Lesson 1 of 6 in the unit Global Connections and Change. Students build an initial understanding of globalization and explore how products, people, cultures, economies, and digital communication are connected.

Learning intentions

Students will:

• Define globalization, interdependence, trade, culture, economy, migration, technology, benefit, and challenge.
• Identify examples of global connections in everyday life.
• Explain how globalization affects people, cultures, and economies.
• Consider who benefits from global connections and who may face challenges.

Success criteria

• I can define key globalization vocabulary in my own words.
• I can identify connections between places, people, products, and ideas.
• I can describe one benefit and one challenge of globalization.
• I can explain one way globalization affects people, cultures, or economies.

Curriculum links

• Alberta Grade 9 Social Studies: globalization and the ways global connections influence individuals, communities, and societies.
• Alberta Grade 9 Social Studies: relationships among political, economic, social, cultural, and technological change.
• Inquiry skills: ask questions, interpret information, communicate ideas, and consider different perspectives.
• Citizenship and identity: examine how interconnectedness creates opportunities and responsibilities.

Lesson structure (30 minutes)

1. 0–5 minutes – Hook and learning intentions Display images of a smartphone, a food product, a clothing item, and a world map using the hook and learning-intentions slides. Ask: “How many countries might be connected to one item you used today?” Invite brief responses, then explain that globalization describes increasing connections and relationships among people and places around the world. Share the learning intentions.

2. 5–12 minutes – Introduce key vocabulary Use the vocabulary teaching slides to introduce the terms globalization, interdependence, trade, culture, economy, migration, technology, benefit, and challenge. Give a clear, age-appropriate example for each term. Students record a short definition or example on the globalization vocabulary and connections worksheet. Check understanding through quick prompts such as: “Which word describes people moving to another country?” and “What is an example of interdependence?”

3. 12–15 minutes – Model a connection diagram Model a simple diagram using a smartphone as the central example. Draw arrows linking the phone to raw materials, workers, factories, trade, consumers, digital communication, and different countries. Think aloud: “This shows interdependence because no single place is responsible for every stage.” Ask: “Who is connected?” and “Who might benefit or face challenges?”

4. 15–22 minutes – Pair activity: trace a global connection Organize students into pairs. Each pair chooses one example from the images—smartphone, food product, clothing item, or digital communication—and completes the connection diagram on the globalization vocabulary and connections worksheet. Students should identify at least three connected people, places, or processes and add one possible benefit and one possible challenge. Circulate, question pairs, and prompt deeper thinking: “Where might the materials come from?” “Who makes or uses this?” “How could technology change this connection?”

5. 22–27 minutes – Share and discuss perspectives Invite several pairs to share their diagrams while displaying the discussion and sharing slides. Record common connections on the board under the headings people, culture, economy, and technology. Encourage students to distinguish between evidence and assumptions. Ask: “Are the benefits shared equally?” “Could the same connection create both opportunity and challenge?” Acknowledge that globalization can have different effects on different groups.

6. 27–30 minutes – Exit ticket and review Students complete the final prompt on the globalization exit-ticket section: “Describe one way globalization affects people, cultures, or economies.” Ask students to include one key vocabulary term. Collect responses as they leave and briefly recap that globalization involves connections, interdependence, and unequal effects.

Resources

• the complete globalization introduction deck
• the globalization vocabulary and connections worksheet
• Image of a smartphone
• Image of a food product with packaging
• Image of a clothing item
• World map or projected map
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes or highlighters
• Timer

Assessment

• Listen to responses during vocabulary questioning to identify misconceptions, especially confusion between globalization, trade, and migration.
• Check pair connection diagrams for accurate vocabulary, at least three meaningful links, and recognition of a benefit and challenge.
• Use exit tickets to assess whether students can explain a clear effect of globalization on people, cultures, or economies.

Differentiation

• Provide a vocabulary bank, icons, sentence starters, and a partially completed diagram for students who need additional support.
• Allow students to explain ideas orally to a partner before writing; pair English language learners with supportive peers and preview the images before discussion.
• For students with writing or processing needs, accept labelled arrows, dot points, speech-to-text, or a recorded response.
• Extend learning by asking confident students to compare who benefits and who faces challenges at two different stages of a product’s global journey.