Classroom Activities
Envisioning the Life of a Banana Worker
Learning Objective: Students will explore and explain the banana supply chain.
Students will listen to “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” by Harry Belafonte and envision the lyrics, which can be found on YouTube by conducting a search such as “Day-O by Harry Belafonte.” As students listen to Day-O and/or read the lyrics, they will draw what comes to mind.
Students will discuss their drawings with their classmates. The teacher will facilitate the conversation and initially ask students open-ended questions such as, “what did you draw?” and “why?” but will later ask the more targeted question(s): “What do you think it is like to be a banana worker? What makes you say that?”
Minimum Monthly Wage
Learning Objective: Students will compose an opinion writing piece after learning about the topic of bananas.
After reading about the agricultural minimum monthly wage and the cost of living in Guatemala, students will write an opinion piece on how much they think a banana worker should get paid and explain why they think a banana worker should get compensated said amount.
Banana Split
Learning Objective: Students will understand the meaning of Fairtrade.
As an end of unit celebration, we will make banana splits. Prior to going shopping for banana split items, the teacher will ask students to vote on what kind of bananas should be bought: Fairtrade bananas or non-Fairtrade bananas. Why? After voting for their preferred type of banana, the teacher will facilitate a discussion on what happens if they buy Fairtrade vs non-Fairtrade bananas and pose questions such as: “Will you get to eat more or less banana split if you buy Fairtrade vs. non-Fairtrade bananas? Do you think your choice is fair or unfair? Why?”
Comments: