Year 6 Geography

Year 6 have been extremely involved and busy in their geography unit about trade and economics. We researched the exports and imports of Kenya and compared them to the UK, discussing why the products are different. We also looked at what ‘Fair Trade’ means and how getting a fair price for their produce means a better quality of life for the workers and their families- something to think about next time you are haggling over a price!

Our trip in week 12 will be to Kwetu, in Mtwapa; an organisation that focuses on sustainable development and community engagement- a chance to see trade and economics in action, by the people, for the people.

The topic allowed us to develop our debating skills and our business skills. We played a brilliant trading game where the children had to work in different ‘countries’, with varying resources, to create a product that needed to reach quality standards, and try to sell it in a fluctuating market. The competition was fierce and cutthroat- but the children loved making money!

Later in the topic, we split into groups to represent different parts of the trading chain for growing, exporting and selling bananas. The children had to research the responsibilities and costs of their part of the chain and argue for their share of the profits- not an easy task when you are fighting over a share of only 30p per banana! It was exciting to watch the children grow in their role as global citizens and develop a sense of social responsibility, realising that they can make a difference to people’s lives in the way that they shop.

Mrs Meyer