Ethical Industries

Topic Aims

Learning objective taken from key stage 3 and 4 programmes of study for Economic Well-being:

• 1.2 Capability - d. becoming critical consumers of goods and services.

And from the Citizenship programme of study at key stage 3:

• 1. Range and content - e. actions that individuals can take to influence decisions affecting communities and the environment.

Learning Outcomes

Students are introduced to the concept of ethical industries and critical consumers.

Students are able to work together and use the Internet effectively and responsibly to find relevant information.

Students decide upon an appropriate form of presenting their research to the rest of the class.

Differentiate by learning style

Students could draw a mind map or poster as a visual way of presenting their research findings.

Introduction

Have a selection of chocolates and sweets from Fry’s, Cadbury’s and Rowntrees on the table in front of you. Also have a selection of Fairtrade chocolate for later.

Ask who likes chocolates and sweets. Do a quickfire wordchain where the class have to list as many different kinds of chocolates or sweets beginning with sequential letters of the alphabet (Aero, Boost, Caramac etc). Use the website at http://www.chocolatereview.co.uk/data.asp to help if necessary!

Ask if the class can guess what the Fry’s, Cadbury’s and Rowntrees chocolates have in common. Display the PowerPoint presentation slides 1-3.

Explain that all of the brands were started by Quaker businessmen in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. John Cadbury, Joseph Rowntree and the Fry family wanted to run businesses that were more ethical than heavy industry or selling alcohol. They wanted their employees to be happy working in their factories and warehouses, and to have decent living and working conditions. They saw industry as a way of improving the lives of those who worked.