The Century Hope, a PANAMAX vessel, one of a class of vessels having beams of 30.48 meters (100 feet) and over, transits southbound in the east lane of Miraflores Locks, demonstrating the tight squeeze to fit through the 33.5-meter-wide (110-foot) locks chamber..

Your research into the Panama Canal should have helped you realize that we have come a long way from buying and selling things from a market square a few feet from our house.

You buy and use some products that were produced thousands of miles away from your home and other products that were made nearby in your own state or country but are made with resources from other countries. To understand how we are all connected through this international commerce, you will need to conduct this last investigation.

Assignment - "From What Country" Savanger Hunt

Your assignment now is to go on a scavenger hunt in your own home. Find as many items possible from different countries including the United States. They may include food, articles of clothing, household items or advertisements. Use the From What Country? handout. When possible, paste the country of origin tag in the column. If this isn't possible, write the item and country in the appropriate column. Use a world outline map to mark an X on each country represented.

Make a class wall map using pins to represent items. Can you see a pattern?

Which region of the world has the most pins? Does this support your earlier activities? Why?

How will you know you did a good job with your scavenger hunt?

If you have done the following:

• Completed the the From What Country? handout with at least 5 items listed
• Correctly marked your world outline map
• Drew conclusions based on these activities about international commerce
• Participated in the class's world map
• Shared what you have learned with someone at home

If you wish to try some additional activities, click the "Ahead" button below.