Summary
In this lesson, students examine how location can contribute to the economic success or failure of businesses. Students begin this lesson by watching a brief video about the influence of job outsourcing on the global economy. Next, students will read about the history of a bicycle company and consider how location impacted the progress of this business. Using Least Cost Theory, students will apply what they have learned thus far to a local business and offer suggestions to help them become more successful. Finally, students will demonstrate their knowledge by completing a choice board activity and then reflect on the essential questions of the lesson. This lesson is intended for an AP Human Geography class.
Essential Question(s)
How does least cost theory influence industrialization? How can location create economic (dis)advantages for companies and surrounding communities?
Snapshot
Engage
Students watch a video that introduces the concept of outsourcing and then discuss potential impacts.
Explore
Students read a brief history of the Huffman company and identify reasons why the company chose its location, later relocated, and eventually went out of business.
Explain
Students are introduced to Alfred Weber’s Least Cost Theory. Students examine the Huffy Bicycles and Braum’s Corporation through the lens of this theory.
Extend
Students demonstrate their knowledge of Least Cost Theory and the economic effects of location by completing a Choice Boards activity.
Evaluate
Students reflect on their learning by writing a short response to the essential questions of this lesson.
Materials
Lesson Slides (attached)
Huffy Bicycles handout (attached; one per student)
Braum's Corporation handout (attached; one per student)
Least Cost Theory handout (attached; one per student)
Least Cost Theory (Sample Response) handout (attached; teacher copy)
Choice Board handout (attached; one per student)
Least Cost Research Organizer handout (attached; optional)
Electronic device
Paper
Pen/Pencil
Engage
15 Minute(s)
Use the attached Lesson Slides to guide the lesson. Show the essential questions on slide 3 and ask for responses to the questions based on anything students already know about industries. Transition to slide 4 to review the lesson objectives.
Move to slide 5 and play the “Why It Matters: Outsourcing Jobs” video.
Place students in pairs then show slide 6. Ask pairs to discuss the questions on the slide:
What are some examples of how job outsourcing can impact the global economy?
Why do companies outsource jobs?
What are some potential solutions for countries to prevent companies from outsourcing jobs abroad?
As time allows, have volunteers share their responses.
As they discuss their responses, reinforce and support those who talk about how industries might choose a location based upon cheaper labor costs to make more of a profit. Ask students to brainstorm how industries might make a profit in other ways. Write these ideas on the board.
Explore
20 Minute(s)
Display slide 7 and ask students to take out a sheet of paper, fold it in half lengthwise, and label the halves "Helped the Huffman Company" and "Hindered the Huffman Company." Display slide 8 and inform your students that they will be participating in the instructional strategy called T-chart to help them determine what helped or hindered the growth of the Huffman Company, the maker of Huffy bicycles. Pass out the attached Huffy Bicycles handout which tells of the rise and fall of the Huffman Company. Ask students to read the brief history. As they read, students should identify factors that contributed to the growth or profit of the Huffman Company and factors that contributed to its demise. They should then write these examples on their organizers under the appropriate headers.
Show slide 9 and direct students to access the Mentimeter you created. Ask students, "Was location a factor that helped or hindered the Huffman Company?" Allow time for the class to discuss this question. Tell students that there is no single right or wrong answer, but you'd like to hear their opinions. Ask students to support their opinions with information from the reading. To display participants’ responses, select “Present” in the upper-right corner of the screen. To share results with participants at a later time, select “Link to the live results” and then select “Copy link.”
Explain
25 Minute(s)
Give each student a copy of the attached Least Cost Theory handout. Have students write their own definitions of these terms in the second column, then transition to slide 10 and review the answers in as much detail as needed.
Place students in working pairs. Display slide 11. Ask pairs to reread the story about Huffy bicycles. Explain that each student should write down information on their graphic organizers from the reading that aligns or corresponds to Least Cost Theory. Allow time for students to complete this activity. Do not move on to the next activity until most or all pairs have completed this part of the graphic organizer. Use the attached Least Cost Theory (Sample Responses) document to guide this activity.
Pass out the attached Braum's Corporation handout, which has a brief history of this Oklahoma company. Display slide 12 and explain that now students will work with their partners to read the information and document the facts that align or correspond to Least Cost Theory on their graphic organizers for the fourth column. Review the answers as needed.
Extend
25 Minute(s)
Distribute the attached Choice Board handout to each student and display slide 13. Review the directions for the Choice Boards strategy and allow students enough time to complete the assignment. Each option is designed to reinforce and apply Least Cost Theory and the uneven development of industries. If students choose Option 3, provide them the attached Least Cost Research Organizer to complete the activity.
Evaluate
10 Minute(s)
After students have created their chosen activity, display slide 14 and introduce students to the Quick Write strategy where they are expected to write non-stop for 2-3 minutes on the prompt provided: How does least cost theory influence industrialization? How can location create economic (dis)advantages for companies and surrounding communities? Their responses can be used to determine if review is needed.
Resources
Associated Press. (2012, October 24). Why it matters: outsourcing jobs. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ymT1W-g_FCY?si=9qZw1xXAeBlNbTpp
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Alfred Weber. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Weber
K20 Center. (n.d.). Choice boards. Strategies. Retrieved from https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/73
K20 Center. (n.d.). Mentimeter. Tech Tools. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/tech-tool/645
K20 Center. (n.d.). Quick write. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/1127
K20 Center. (n.d.). T-chart. Strategies. Retrieved from https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/86