Is the Agricultural Subsidy Fair to Consumers?
Developed by: Maine Council for the Social Studies

Grade Level: 9-12

The MLR performance indicators listed below are for illustrative purposes. Depending on the focus of the lessons as developed by individual teachers, these indicators may or may not be addressed. Conversely this is not a definitive listing of all of the performance indicators which could be addressed in this lesson.

MLR - Secondary: Economics: B-2; English/Language Arts: A-1, A-11; B-4, B-8, B-10; C-2, C-3, C-4, C-6, C-7, C-8; D-2, D-3, D-4, D-5, D-6; E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4; F-1, F-2, F-3; G-1 to G-11; H-1 to H-12; Visual and Performing Arts: A-1, A-4, A-9; B-1, B-2, B-4, B-5; C-4

Task Description:

Students will need some background in subsidies, their origins and use. Students can then research the use of subsidies currently, such as tobacco, corn, wheat, and milk price support. Transport that to Maine and look at the state’s assistance to some of the industries.

Students are assigned roles in the upcoming Senate hearing. Some will be Senators on either side of the issue, Maine government support for a selected industry, some will be practitioners, and several should be the Senators in charge of the hearing.

Student Product/Performance

Students will create a mock Senate hearing.  Re-arrange the classroom to model a hearing, a row of seats for the Senators hearing the presentation, two sections for the supporters and those in opposition.

Resources

United States Department of Agriculture

Newspaper archives/Internet

Links to some Maine papers online:
Bangor Daily News
Portland Press Herald
Kennebec Journal
Sun Journal
Times Record
Journal Tribune
Morning Sentinel

Links to some national news sources:
Boston Globe
New York Times
Washington Post
CNN Interactive
CNNfn [Financial Network]
MSNBC

Criteria for Evaluation

Student’s demonstration of competency in the hearing, the information they use, and the logic with which they reach a decision are all evidence of their understanding.