New
New
Economic activities of North and South America
I can describe economic activities in the Americas and make comparisons between countries.
Lesson 5 of 7
New
New
- Year 5
Economic activities of North and South America
I can describe economic activities in the Americas and make comparisons between countries.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- There is a diverse range of economic activities in North and South America.
- There are inequalities between the lives of people within and between countries.
- Different indicators can be used to measure how well a country and its people are doing.
Keywords
Goods and services - Goods are items that people need or buy, e.g. food, clothes and services are systems that supply a public need, e.g. waste collection.
Wealth - Wealth is having a lot of money, possessions or resources.
Inequality - Inequality is when something is not shared evenly between everyone.
Indicator - An indicator is a sign that shows the level or state of something.
Common misconception
Everyone in a low income country must have a lower income than the people in a high income country.
Some people in low income countries are very rich.
Use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to support further learning about what we all need to do well in life. Other learning resources and data tools could be used to further investigate between and in-country inequalities.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Order these countries from north to south.
Order these countries from north to south.
Q2.Match each capital city with its country.
Match each capital city with its country.
Q3.People can use natural resources to earn money. This helps the economy to grow.
People can use natural resources to earn money. This helps the economy to grow.
False
Q4.Which climate zone in the Americas would be good for growing exotic fruits like bananas?
Which climate zone in the Americas would be good for growing exotic fruits like bananas?
Arctic
Temperate
Desert
Q5.Which of these is not something that people need to survive?
Which of these is not something that people need to survive?
air
shelter
water
Q6.Which of these is an example of a service that a business might provide?
Which of these is an example of a service that a business might provide?
a pair of jeans
a laptop
an orange
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which North American country is the largest corn producer in the world?
Which North American country is the largest corn producer in the world?
Belize
Canada
Panama
Q2.Which of these South American countries grows many of the bananas we eat in the UK?
Which of these South American countries grows many of the bananas we eat in the UK?
Argentina
Brazil
Paraguay
Q3.Which country has the largest proven reserves of oil in the world?
Which country has the largest proven reserves of oil in the world?
Greenland
Colombia
Mexico
Q4.What is manufacturing?
What is manufacturing?
the process by which goods or products are consumed
the process by which goods or products are sold
the process by which goods or products are transported
Q5.Annual average income per person can be used to compare the __________ of different countries.
Annual average income per person can be used to compare the __________ of different countries.
climate
population
size
Q6.Which of these indicators is not used to measure the well-being of countries?
Which of these indicators is not used to measure the well-being of countries?
average life expectancy (how long people live for)
what percentage of children go to school
what percentage of people have access to safe drinking water
