5 - Fairtrade Mascots
In this lesson students explore the idea of a mascot and create a Fairtrade mascot.
Curriculum Links
This lesson plan has links to Curriculum aims and programmes of study in Citizenship and Art & Design.
Learning Objective
To design a character to promote a new Fairtrade product.
Learning Outcome
To communicate an argument in a creative way to persuade others to support Fairtrade.
Resources Needed
Internet access, paper, art materials; variety of fairtrade goods if possible.
Starter
Ask students to write a word or phrase they associate with Fairtrade on scrap paper and place them all into a box or bag. Split the class into teams. One volunteer from each team picks a word and then has to describe it to their team without using the word itself. If students guess it correctly the team gains a point. This can be made more difficult by including words/phrases which the student is not allowed to use when they describe it or by including a time limit.
Main Activity
Ask class how many Fairtrade products there are, reminding them that it’s not only food which can be certified Fairtrade. Elicit some suggestions. Explain that there are actually over 3,000 available across the world. Go to the Fairtrade Foundation Website and look through the products.
Using the page and the country profiles, students decide whether there is a product from one of the 7 countries which is not there and should be.
In pairs students think of different ways these Fairtrade products appeal to consumers. If possible show a variety of products to the class, allowing them to examine them. What is it about them which makes us want to buy them? (e.g. the Fairtrade mark is recognised around the world, the packaging is bright and colourful, some products have fun facts and jokes on them, some products have mascots or characters to help to sell them.) Feed back to the class.
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Explain to the class the world’s first Fairtrade certification mark was Max Havelaar, a Dutch initiative, based on a character of a Dutch 19th Century Novel, written by Multatuli, critical of Dutch colonialism. Max Havelaar first appeared on Fairtrade coffee from Mexico in 1988.
In pairs students pick one of the products from those identified at the beginning of the activity and discuss what type of mascot/character advertising it would appeal to them.
Points to consider:
• Is it a man/woman/child/animal/object? Why?
• What does it look like? Is it colourful?
• What type of personality does it have?
• Does it talk/communicate in a certain way? (e.g. through rhyme, gestures/sign language)
• How is it connected to the product?
• How is it connected to Fair trade?
In their pairs, students design their mascot and present it to the rest of the class.
Plenary
Write the following statement on the board. 'Fairtrade does not make a difference to the majority of farmers in the developing world.' Students have to take on the role of their mascot and explain their response to the statement.
Extension
Students identify fictional characters who could help to promote Fairtrade and use them in an advert or comic strip to display in the school.