8 - Fairtrade Balloon Debate

This lesson allows the class to talk about their opinions about Fairtrade and consider alternative views.

Curriculum Links
This lesson plan links to Curriculum aims and programmes of study in English and to non-statutory programmes of study in Citizenship and PSHE.

Learning Objective
To listen and respond to a discussion.

Learning Outcome
Children have talked about opinions and explain our views on Fairtrade and other issues which affect us and the world.

Resources Needed
Balloons with questions in, music.

Preparation
Blow up balloons with questions rolled up inside. Create a simple 'Find someone who' worksheet for a starter activity with 5 instructions beginning with 'Find someone who......' with space for names. For example: Find someone who can explain what the Fairtrade premium is.

Download documents:

Balloon worksheet

Download documents in Welsh:

Balloon worksheet

Starter
Students then mingle to identify different people who can do each thing and write their names on the worksheet.

Main Activity
Class sits in a circle. Explain that they are going to have a balloon debate. Each balloon has a statement in, which will be about Fairtrade or issues which are related. While the music is playing the class have to pass or throw a balloon around the class and whoever is holding it has to burst the balloon and then give their opinion on the statement. Do they agree with it? Why? (N.B. if bursting the balloon is likely to frighten the children you may want to adapt this and use a large die with statements pasted on it or something similar).

Alternatively, the class can be split into groups each time a balloon is popped and decide in their group whether they agree or disagree with the statement and why.

Plenary
Pick a key concept from the lesson and then challenge the students to think of how they could teach it or explain it to an alien who has just landed from outer space.

More able groups may also like to write their own statements and put them into balloons.

8 - Fairtrade Balloon Debate

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