Story of a T-shirt
Summary information:
Age range:
8 – 13
Curriculum links:
Geography
Time needed:
40 minutes
Group size:
Small group and whole class
Setting:
Classroom or similar setting
Key vocabulary:
Globalisation
Sustainable learning outcomes:
Pupils will:
- know that everyday products use global resources.
Method:
Mapping diagram technique
Preparation:
Cut out the cards for the T-shirt activity from Resource Sheet 2 and place in envelopes - one for each group.
Resources needed:
A T-shirt (preferably with a cotton/polyester mix), Resource Sheet 2 , envelopes, world map or atlas.
Procedure:
- Show the class a T-shirt and tell them where it was bought. Ask them to examine it, looking for clues about the materials used and country of origin.
- Brainstorm a mapping diagram to show the different stages in the manufacture of this product. Include information about where it was made and how it arrived at the place where it was purchased.
- In groups, ask the pupils to arrange the cards on Resource Sheet 2 in a mapping diagram that shows the process in which a Tshirt was manufactured.
- When they have finished, ask them to think about two other aspects of the life of the T-shirt – laundry and disposal. Tell them to add these factors onto their mapping diagram. They could also use a map to chart the movement of the products and consider the implications in terms of transport, environmental damage, and the division of the purchase price of shirt.
Extension:
Draw mapping diagrams to show the consequences of each of these end of life scenarios for the T-shirt: incineration, landfill, recycling of fibres, resale in a developing country, resale in home country, reuse as rags or duster.
Evaluation:
Ask pupils to make a journal entry:
From doing this activity, I learned ...
I was surprised that ...
I would like to know more about ...
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