Fair Trade Educational Resources
Use these educational resources to teach students about fair trade.
As part of the Fair Trade Schools program, Fairtrade Canada has developed educational material for students aged 5-16 to learn about fair trade in their classroom. These materials are available in both French and English, and cover a wide variety of topics, from the basic principles of fair trade to how Fairtrade can make a difference for gender equality! Teachers and educators can browse through our free lesson plans, activities, and videos to bring global learning to their classroom.
Please note: we recommend downloading resources directly onto your computer to ensure proper formatting and accessibility.
Become a Fair Trade School
By becoming a Fair Trade School, students and staff alike will have the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between our food supply and the farmers and workers that grow our food.
For teachers and students, getting designated provides a valuable framework to introduce the principles of fair trade, including the stance against child labour, and a chance to explore its impact on children and communities in the Global South.
Join the global movement towards fairer trade!
Learn how to become a Fair Trade School
Fair Trade is fun package
In the ‘Fair Trade is Fun’ package, you will find everything you need to deliver a fun lesson about fair trade. Young students will learn about where the food we eat comes from, how it is grown, and who grows it. They will discover what fair trade is, how it can make a positive difference for people around the world, and what we can do to show our support!
Age: 5-7 years old
Themes: Introduction to fair trade, Bananas, Cocoa
This lesson contains:
● PowerPoint presentation
● Interactive activity pack
● Instructor notes
Package Materials:
Fair Trade is fun package
Cocoa package
Who loves chocolate? Our cocoa package will teach students aged 8-10 what they need to know about the special ingredient in their favourite dessert. Students will learn about where cocoa comes from and how it is grown. Additionally, students will learn about the main challenges in the cocoa industry by focusing on Côte d’Ivoire, and how Fairtrade can make a positive difference in the lives of cocoa farmers and workers.
Age: 8-10 years old
Themes: Introduction to fair trade, Cocoa
This lesson contains:
● PowerPoint presentation
● Interactive activity pack
● Instructor notes
● Board game with instructions
● Classroom activity: ‘Mapping the journey of chocolate’
Package Materials:
Cocoa package
Basic needs package
The basic needs lesson plan will get primary level students thinking about the difference between a want and a need, and the challenges many people around the world face to ensure their basic needs are met.
Age: 8-13 years old
Themes: Cocoa, Human Rights, Climate Change
This lesson contains:
● PowerPoint presentation
● Instructor notes
● Activity cards accompanying the lesson activity
Package Materials:
Basic needs package
Banana package
Who loves bananas? Our banana package will teach students what they need to know about their favourite fruit, such as where bananas come from and how they are grown. Students will also complete two engaging activities to learn about the main challenges in the banana industry today. Finally, students will learn about how Fairtrade can make a positive difference in the lives of banana farmers and workers and they have the option to watch a short video about Fairtrade banana farming in Panama!
Age: 11-13 years old
Themes: Introduction to fair trade, Bananas, Cooperatives
This lesson contains:
● PowerPoint presentation
● Instructor notes
● Game: ‘Banana Split’
● Activity: ‘The Hidden cost of the banana’
Package Materials:
Banana package
Guardians of the Rainforest
Guardians of the rainforest package
This package will strengthen students’ understanding of forest friendly farming after watching the “Guardians of the Rainforest” video!
Age: 8-16 years old
Themes: Cocoa, Climate Change, Deforestation
This lesson contains:
● Guardians of the Rainforest interactive activity pack (8-10 age group)
● Guardians of the Rainforest classroom activity (11-13 age group)
● Guardians of the Rainforest Research Activity (14-16 age group)
● Guardians of the Rainforest short film (link and downloadable file)
Package Materials:
Tea and the Fairtrade Premium activity
This classroom simulation activity will improve teamwork and decision-making skills for students aged 11-13. Students will learn about pertinent issues in the tea industry, and how Fairtrade can make a positive difference.
Age: 11-13 years old
Themes: Tea, Fairtrade Premium, Teamwork
This lesson contains:
● Activity: ‘Tea and the Fairtrade Premium’
Activity Materials:
Tea and the Fairtrade Premium activity
Emelia Debrah: comprehension activity
This classroom exercise will strengthen reading and comprehension skills for students while they learn about cocoa farming techniques and Fairtrade from Emelia Debrah, a cocoa farmer in Ghana.
Age: 11-13 years old
Themes: Cocoa, Climate Change, Gender Inequalities
This lesson contains:
● Emelia’s story
● Comprehension questions
● Answer sheet
Activity Materials:
Emelia Debrah: comprehension activity
The cocoa problem tree lesson
The ‘Cocoa problem tree’ lesson will develop critical analysis skills for students. They will consider the main problems of the conventional trade system, and analyze their root causes, effects, and potential solutions.
Age: 11-16 years old
Themes: Cocoa, critical analysis
This lesson contains:
● PowerPoint presentation
● Instructor Notes
Package Materials:
The cocoa problem tree lesson
Fairtrade and the climate crisis package
This lesson is designed to get students thinking about the climate crisis, and what it means for crops, and the farmers and workers who grow them. Students consider how their choices can help to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis, and learn about the global movement towards climate action in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students will have the opportunity to watch an episode from Fairtrade International’s FARMERS documentary series about climate change and banana farming.
Age: 14-16 years old
Themes: Climate Change, Bananas, Cocoa, Coffee
This lesson contains:
● PowerPoint presentation
● Instructor notes
● Activity: ‘Climate change and farming’
● Cocoa farmer testimonial (link)
● FARMERS docuseries - Roberto's story (link)
Package Materials:
Fairtrade and the climate crisis package
Fairtrade, living income and gender equality package
In this lesson, students will learn the difference between a living income and a living wage, and and their importance in relation to human rights. Students learn more about the challenges in the cocoa industry, particularly for women. Students will have the opportunity to watch an episode from Fairtrade International’s FARMERS documentary series about gender equality and coffee farming.
Age: 14-16 years old
Themes: Human Rights, Gender inequalities, Living income, Cocoa, Coffee
This lesson contains:
● PowerPoint Presentation
● Instructor notes
● FARMERS docuseries - Caroline's story (link)
Package Materials:
Fairtrade, living income and gender equality package
Tough choices package
This lesson will teach students about the challenges of achieving basic needs for people who live in poverty. Through a problem-solving game, students will be able to reflect on the difficult choices that people must consider and the impact these choices might have on the environment.
Age: 14-16 years old
Themes: Human Rights, Deforestation, Cocoa
This lesson contains:
● PowerPoint presentation
● Instructor Notes
● Opportunity cards accompanying the lesson activity
Package Materials:
Tough choices package
