9 - Flagging up History

In this lesson the class uses the Chilean flag to interpret the history of the country.

Curriculum Links
This lesson links to non-statutory aims and programmes of study in PSHE and Citizenship. It can also help to build skills and knowledge in History, Art & Design, English and Geography.

Learning Objective
To explore a country’s history.

Learning Outcome
Children have used the Chilean flag to interpret the history of the country.

Download documents:

Chilean flag and definitions
Apicoop producer group stories
History of Fairtrade factsheet.

Download documents in Welsh:

History of Fairtrade Factsheet
Apicoop producer stories
Chilean Flag and Definitions

Starter
Ask the class what flags are and what they represent. Elicit the British, English, Scottish, Welsh flags and ask if they stand for anything. What can we learn from a flag about the country it stands for? 
In pairs, pupils look at the Chilean flag and try to work out what the different features stand for, explaining their answers. 
1) The white band of colour
2) The red band of colour
3) The blue square
4) The white star

Look at the meanings of the flag. Pairs write down what this tells us about Chile and Chilean history. Is this a valid interpretation of history? Where would we find alternative points of view?

Main Activity
Pupils create a Fairtrade flag, taking into account the history of Fairtrade and its current significance, with its meanings clearly labelled. The class can also use the Apicoop producer stories to help them.

If desired, using the country profiles pupils could also research the flags of the other countries in the unit. What do they tell us about each country’s history?

Plenary
Write the following question on the board: How will people in the future be able to learn from the way in which Fairtrade has helped farmers in countries like Chile?' Students think of their replies either in pairs, or take on the role of someone else to answer, for example, an Apicoop farmer or the manager, Chino.