This page provides summaries of secondary school classroom activities which explore the issues related to Trade. A link to the full details of each activity is also provided and this is in pdf format.

The activities draw on and develop issues raised through the secondary school poster set and a series of case studies. Unless otherwise stated, the activities have been developed by Leeds Development Education Centre

A Piece of the Action
A role play activity in which groups of young people represent the stages of production of a pair of jeans from cotton producer in Africa to retailer in the UK. The groups attempt to divide the selling price of the pair of jeans, between them, appropriate to the importance of their roles in the sequence of production. At the end of the activity the class is presented with the actual distribution of the selling price of a pair of jeans and the ensuing discussion can explore how African countries can increase their income from trade.

The activity is suitable for the whole of the secondary age range and the discussion generated by the activity can be adjusted to the ability of the class. Click here for full details of the activity (77KB).

We Can’t Live on Flowers
This activity uses the case study Flower Growing in Kenya (152KB) to explore the impact of growing flowers for export on small producers in poor countries. The activity is a role play which involves the buying and selling of flowers. The discussion which follows the activity explores the relative power of buyers and sellers and how fair trade can improve the lives of small producers. The Commission for Africa stresses the need for economic growth to reach the poorest in society. Fairer trade is one way to ensure the benefits from increased trade reach those who need it the most.

The activity is suitable for the whole of the secondary age range and the discussion generated by the activity can be adjusted to the ability of the class. Click here for full details of the activity (256KB).

World Trade
A mapping activity in which pupils find out the countries of manufacture of a range of goods and locate the countries on a world map. Using the information gathered the pupils explore which countries are involved in the production of which kind of products. The Commission for Africa identified that more trade with African countries would generate the income required to develop infrastructure and public services.

This activity has been designed as a primary classroom activity but is also appropriate for lower secondary. Click here for full details of this activity (57KB).

We Can’t Eat Roses
A ranking activity that uses the case study Flower Growing in Kenya (152KB) to explore the benefits of Fairtrade. After reading the case study pupils rank a number of statements about the reasons for buying Fairtrade products. The Commission for Africa identified that more trade with African countries would generate the income required to develop infrastructure and public services. More Fairtrade would mean that the poorest communities in Africa would benefit.

This activity has been designed as a primary classroom activity but is also appropriate for lower secondary. Click here for full details of this activity (62KB).