From Bean to Bar: Exploring Fairtrade Chocolate

This activity for Year 3 pupils explores the journey of chocolate from cocoa bean to bar, with a specific focus on the concept of Fairtrade. Pupils will learn about the people involved in growing cocoa, the challenges they face, and how Fairtrade helps to ensure a fairer deal for farmers and their communities. This aligns with the Key Stage 2 Geography curriculum's focus on understanding human and physical geography, including trade and economic activity, and developing a sense of global citizenship.

Step 1: The Journey of Chocolate (10 minutes)

• Begin by asking pupils what their favourite chocolate is and where they think chocolate comes from. Guide the discussion towards cocoa beans and the countries where they are grown (e.g., Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire).
• Show a short, age-appropriate video or a series of images depicting cocoa farming (planting, harvesting, drying beans) and the journey to a factory.
• Introduce the idea that many people are involved in making chocolate, from farmers to factory workers.

Step 2: Introducing Fairtrade (15 minutes)

• Explain that growing cocoa can be very hard work, and sometimes farmers don't get paid enough for their beans, even though chocolate is a popular and expensive product in other countries.
• Introduce the concept of 'Fairtrade'. Use simple language: 'Fairtrade is like a promise that farmers get a fair price for their crops, so they can look after their families and send their children to school.'
• Show the Fairtrade logo. Ask if pupils have seen it before on any products. Discuss what they think it means.
• Use a 'story' or scenario: 'Imagine two farmers, Farmer A and Farmer B. Farmer A sells their beans for a very low price and struggles. Farmer B sells their beans with Fairtrade and gets a better price, allowing them to buy new tools or medicine.' Ask pupils which farmer they would rather be and why.

Step 3: Fairtrade Benefits Discussion (15 minutes)

• Discuss the benefits of Fairtrade for farmers and their communities. Use visual aids or simple bullet points:
  • Fair Price: Farmers get enough money to live on.
  • Community Projects: Extra money (the 'Fairtrade Premium') can be used for schools, clean water, or healthcare.
  • Better Working Conditions: Safe places to work.
  • Environmental Protection: Encourages sustainable farming.
• Ask pupils to think about why it's important for us, as consumers, to choose Fairtrade products. Emphasise that our choices can make a difference.

Step 4: 'Fairtrade Fact File' Creation (Optional Extension / Plenary - 10 minutes)

• Provide pupils with a simple template or a blank sheet of paper. Ask them to draw the Fairtrade logo and write down one or two key facts they've learned about Fairtrade chocolate and why it's important. This serves as a great plenary to check understanding.

• Images/Video: Short, age-appropriate video or a series of images showing cocoa farming and the chocolate-making process. (e.g., from Fairtrade Foundation website, Oxfam, or YouTube).
• Fairtrade Logo: A large printout or digital display of the Fairtrade logo.
• Chocolate Packaging: Examples of both Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade chocolate bars (optional, for visual comparison).
• Whiteboard/Flipchart: For recording ideas and key vocabulary.
• Fairtrade Fact File Template: Simple sheets for pupils to complete (optional).
• World Map: To show cocoa-growing regions.