Fair Trade Awareness

Overview

This 60-minute PSHE lesson is designed for a class of 23 students aged 9-11 (Key Stage 2). It focuses on the importance of Fair Trade, encouraging pupils to understand global trade justice and their role as responsible consumers. The lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England PSHE Education statutory requirements and reflects both statutory and non-statutory guidance specifically relating to economic wellbeing, social responsibility, and ethical understanding.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

1. Understand what Fair Trade means and why it is important (National Curriculum: Health and Wellbeing - Pupils should know about the benefits of different types of food and how to make healthy choices).
2. Recognise the impact of unfair trade and exploitation on producers worldwide (National Curriculum: Relationships - Pupils develop empathy, respect, and social responsibility).
3. Explore how their choices as consumers can make a difference globally and locally (National Curriculum: Economic Wellbeing and Financial Capability - Pupils learn how money comes from different sources and recognise the importance of managing it responsibly).
4. Demonstrate teamwork and communication skills through group discussions and activities (National Curriculum: Personal Development - Pupils work collaboratively and reflect on shared values).

---

Curriculum Reference

• PSHE Education Programme of Study Key Stage 2 (Non-statutory guidance)
  • Health and Wellbeing: Pupils recognise opportunities to make positive choices about their health and lifestyle.
  • Relationships: Pupils develop skills to respect diversity and understand different viewpoints.
  • Living in the Wider World: Pupils learn about economic wellbeing and how communities depend on others.

---

Resources Needed

• Fair Trade products (e.g., chocolate, bananas, coffee packets, small posters with Fair Trade logo)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector or large screen for presentation
• Printed scenario cards describing situations involving Fair Trade and unfair trade practices
• Worksheets for group activity (fair trade decision-making)
• Sticky notes and pens

---

Lesson Structure

0-10 mins: Introduction and Recall

• Teacher briefly introduces the term "Fair Trade" and asks students:
  • Have you ever heard of Fair Trade?
  • Can you name any products that might be Fair Trade?
• Show physical examples of Fair Trade products and their logos.
• Class brainstorm on why Fair Trade might be important, teacher records ideas on whiteboard.

10-25 mins: Explaining Fair Trade and Its Importance

• Teacher delivers an engaging mini-presentation highlighting:
  • Definition of Fair Trade: a way of buying and selling products that aims to help producers in poorer countries get a fair price.
  • Real-life farmers and producers' stories to illustrate the positive impact (use storytelling for emotional engagement).
  • Differences between Fair Trade and unfair trade practices (exploitation, child labour).
• Encourage students to ask questions throughout.

25-40 mins: Group Activity – Fair Trade Decision-Making

• Pupils split into 4 groups (~5-6 pupils each).
• Each group receives a set of scenario cards that describe everyday choices involving shopping, market situations, or global trade dilemmas.
• Groups discuss and decide which choices support Fair Trade principles and why.
• Groups record their decisions and reasons on worksheets.
• Teacher circulates providing support and prompting deeper thinking.

40-50 mins: Group Presentations and Class Discussion

• Each group presents a chosen scenario and their decision to the class.
• Class discusses the broader impact of these choices on people and the environment.
• Teacher highlights key concepts: responsibility, empathy, and power of consumption.

50-60 mins: Reflection and Assessment

• Individual reflection: pupils write one thing they learned and one action they could take to support Fair Trade in everyday life on sticky notes.
• Teacher collects sticky notes to assess understanding.
• End with a short plenary quiz: True/False statements about Fair Trade to consolidate knowledge.
• Homework suggestion: research a Fair Trade product at home and bring packaging or information for next lesson.

---

Assessment and Outcomes

• Formative Assessment:

  • Observation of group discussions and presentations for understanding and communication skills.
  • Review of worksheets for comprehension of Fair Trade principles.
  • Collection of individual reflections for insight into personal learning and attitudes.

• Summative Assessment (Optional Extension):

  • Assign a short written task or poster project promoting Fair Trade based on pupil research and lesson learnings.

---

Differentiation Strategies

• Scaffold scenario cards with varying complexity (simpler for those needing support, more challenging ethical dilemmas for advanced learners).
• Provide sentence starters during discussions for pupils who need help structuring ideas.
• Allow pupils to present verbally or with creative visuals to cater for diverse learning preferences.

---

Wider Links and Opportunities

• Link PSHE learning to Geography (global trade routes and producer countries).
• Invite local Fair Trade shop owner or Fair Trade ambassador for school visit.
• Integrate artistic creativity by designing Fair Trade awareness posters for school display.
• Encourage whole school recognition of Fair Trade Day, fostering community engagement.

---

Teacher Notes

• Emphasise the power of pupils’ choices and their role as global citizens.
• Use emotive storytelling to connect children emotionally to the topic.
• Encourage respectful listening during group presentations to support FLAME (Fairness, Listening, Acceptance, and Mutual empathy).

---

This lesson plan empowers pupils with knowledge and skills to make ethical consumer choices, fosters social responsibility, and fits seamlessly into the National Curriculum’s expectation for well-rounded, informed young people.