Students read an article that describes how much second-hand clothing high-income countries send to low-income countries.
The intention is for students to gain an understanding of the negative impact that shipments of second-hand clothing can have on nature and people elsewhere in the world.
Ask students if it is good/bad that we send second-hand clothes to other parts of the world. Students come up with answers in groups of four using the When second-hand clothing becomes a problem method. Each student has a chip, such as a pencil, which they place on the table when they want to speak. The group continues until everyone has placed their speech chip and spoken.
Hand out the When second-hand clothing becomes a problem worksheet. Ask students individually to write in the “Now” box what they now think about sending clothes to others parts of the world. Tell the students that you will return to the “After Field”.
Students read the When second-hand clothing becomes a problem Africa struggles to get rid of unwanted second-hand clothes with the Duet Reading method. In pairs, they take turns reading a piece with different roles: Student A reads the first paragraph, student B explains the main point. Roles are switched at each paragraph until the article is read. Alternatively, students watch one of the When second-hand clothing becomes a problem on Africa’s struggle with second-hand clothing.
When students have finished reading or watching, let them make a list of the negative consequences of sending recycled clothing to other parts of the world. Point out to students that there are no right or wrong answers, but that it is the students’ own opinions that should be presented.
Students write in the “After” field on the When second-hand clothing becomes a problem worksheet what the article or video has taught them about exporting clothing.