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It’s always great to use current events to make economic concepts more engaging for your students. Tariffs—whether on steel, aluminum, or consumer goods—have made headlines recently which makes them an excellent topic to bring into your classroom. But how do you break down such a complex idea for middle and high school students?
Here are a few strategies and resources to help:
1. Start with the Basics
Begin by defining tariffs in simple terms: a tax on imported goods. Then, connect the concept to items students know and use every day—like sneakers, phones, or soda cans. Helping students see the everyday impact makes the lesson relatable.
2. Use Stories and Examples
Abstract numbers and percentages can feel distant. Instead, frame tariffs with real-world stories. For example, why might a soda company switch from aluminum cans to plastic bottles if tariffs make metal more expensive? That question alone can spark curiosity and lead to deeper discussions.
3. Explore Both the Pros and Cons
Tariffs are debated for a reason—they come with trade-offs. Some argue tariffs protect domestic jobs and industries; others point out that tariffs often lead to higher prices and unintended consequences. Encouraging students to weigh both sides builds critical thinking skills.
We recommend using our free classroom videos and lesson planns to illustrate these points:
Both resources break down the issue in short, engaging segments that keep students’ attention while explaining the real-world effects of tariffs.
4. Encourage Debate
Nothing deepens understanding like a good debate. Have students take sides and argue for or against tariffs, using evidence from reliable sources. We’ve created ready-to-use debate materials that make this easy:
5. Connect to our Student Contests
This year, our student contests feature tariffs as a prompt! Teachers can assign or recommend the contests to let students explore and research the topic on their own time, then share their findings creatively—in an essay, a video, or both. It’s a great way to give students ownership of their learning while applying critical thinking skills to a real-world issue.
These resources allow students to grapple with competing arguments, helping them develop both civic discourse skills and a stronger grasp of economics.
Bringing tariffs into your classroom isn’t just about teaching trade policy, but also about showing students how government decisions and policies affect their lives, encouraging them to think critically, and preparing them to engage thoughtfully in debates about the economy.
