Lesson plan of Conscious Consumption and Circulation of Goods

Objectives (5-7 minutes)

1. Understand the concept of Conscious Consumption and Circulation of Goods: Students should be able to define conscious consumption and how the circulation of goods influences this process. The goal is for them to understand the importance of making informed decisions about what and how to consume to minimize negative impact on the environment and society.

2. Analyze the impact of consumption and circulation of goods in the contemporary world: Students should be able to discuss how consumption and circulation of goods practices affect the environment, the economy, and society at large. They should understand how conscious consumption can contribute to sustainability and social justice.

3. Develop skills to become an agent of transformation through conscious consumption: Students should learn how they can contribute to a better, fairer world through their consumption choices. They should understand that, as consumers, they have the power to influence business practices and the circulation of goods.

Secondary objectives:

• Stimulate critical thinking: By discussing the impact of consumption and circulation of goods, students should be encouraged to think critically about their own consumption practices and the consumption practices of society at large.

• Promote empathy and social responsibility: Students should be encouraged to put themselves in the shoes of others and to consider the impact of their actions on the environment and society. They should understand that they have a responsibility to the planet and to future generations.

This is the starting point for the lesson plan and should be presented at the beginning of class to make the purpose and objectives of the class clear.

Introduction (8-10 minutes)

1. Review of previous content: The teacher should begin the class by reviewing the concepts of global economy, production and distribution of goods, and sustainability. These concepts are fundamental to understanding the topic of conscious consumption and how the circulation of goods affects the world. (2-3 minutes)

2. Problem situations: The teacher should present two situations that illustrate the impact of consumption and circulation of goods:

   2.1. The first example could be the consumption of clothing produced in precarious working conditions and that contributes to the pollution of the environment. The teacher could ask students what they know about working conditions in the textile industry and how they feel about buying clothes produced in such conditions. (2-3 minutes)

   2.2. The second example could be the consumption of food produced with the intensive use of pesticides and transported over long distances. The teacher could ask students if they know where the food they consume comes from and how it is produced. (2-3 minutes)

3. Contextualization: The teacher should emphasize the importance of conscious consumption in the contemporary world. They can mention examples of how conscious consumption can contribute to reducing pollution, improving working conditions, and promoting social justice. (1-2 minutes)

4. Student engagement: To pique students' interest, the teacher could share two curiosities:

   4.1. The teacher could mention that, according to the United Nations, if everyone in the world lived like the average inhabitant of developed countries, three planet Earths would be needed to sustain our consumption.

   4.2. The teacher could also mention that many companies are starting to adopt more sustainable production practices in response to consumer demand for more ethical and ecological products. This shows how consumers can influence business practices through conscious consumption. (1-2 minutes)

Development (20-25 minutes)

1. Explanation of the theory (10-12 minutes): The teacher should begin by explaining the theory of Conscious Consumption and Circulation of Goods. To do so, you can follow the following steps:

   1.1. Definition of Conscious Consumption (2-3 minutes): The teacher should define conscious consumption. They can explain that conscious consumption involves considering the impact of our consumption choices on the environment, the economy, and society. The teacher could also emphasize that conscious consumption includes reducing the consumption of natural resources, reusing products and waste, and recycling.

   1.2. Impact of Consumption and Circulation of Goods (3-4 minutes): The teacher should explain how consumption and circulation of goods affect the world. They can discuss how the production and transportation of goods contribute to pollution and global warming. The teacher can also explain how the consumption of products produced in precarious working conditions affects the economy and society.

   1.3. Conscious Consumption as an Agent of Transformation (3-4 minutes): The teacher should discuss how conscious consumption can contribute to transforming the world. They can give examples of how consumption choices can influence business practices and the circulation of goods. The teacher could also highlight how conscious consumption can contribute to sustainability and social justice.

2. Group discussion (5-7 minutes): After explaining the theory, the teacher should encourage students to discuss the impact of consumption and circulation of goods in small groups. The teacher could suggest that students discuss their own consumption practices and how they can become more conscious. The teacher should circulate around the room to facilitate the discussion and answer any questions.

3. Practical activity (5-6 minutes): To consolidate the theory, the teacher should propose a practical activity. Students should be asked to choose a product that they usually buy and research how it is produced and distributed. They should consider the impact of that product on the environment, the economy, and society. After the research, the students should discuss what they have learned and how they can make more conscious consumption choices in the future.

The teacher should end this stage of the class by summarizing the main points discussed and clarifying any remaining doubts.

Feedback (10-12 minutes)

1. Connection between theory and practice (3-4 minutes): The teacher should begin this stage of the class by reviewing the main points discussed and how they connect to real life. To do so, you can follow the following steps: 1.1. Recall the definition of Conscious Consumption: The teacher should recall that conscious consumption involves considering the impact of our consumption choices on the environment, the economy, and society. They should emphasize that consumption choices can influence business practices and the circulation of goods. 1.2. Relate to the Practical Activity: The teacher should ask students what they found out in the practical activity. They should encourage students to share what they learned and how they can make more conscious consumption choices in the future. The goal is for students to realize that conscious consumption is not just a theory, but something they can practice in their daily lives. 1.3. Discuss the Impact of Consumption Choices: The teacher should emphasize that consumption choices have real consequences for the environment, the economy, and society. They should remind students that they have the responsibility and the power to contribute to a better, fairer world through conscious consumption.

2. Reflection on learning (3-4 minutes): The teacher should ask students what was the most important concept they learned in class. They should allow students to share their answers and explain why they consider that concept important. The teacher should reinforce the concepts mentioned by the students and clarify any confusion that may exist.

3. Discussion of unanswered questions (3-4 minutes): The teacher should ask students if there are any questions that were not answered during the class. They should encourage students to express their doubts and concerns. The teacher should answer those questions to the best of their ability, or promise to look for the answer and bring it to the next class.

4. Class closing (1 minute): The teacher should end the class by summarizing the main points discussed and recalling the importance of conscious consumption. They should encourage students to continue thinking about the topic and to apply what they learned in class to their daily lives. The teacher should also thank the students for their participation and wish them a good day.

This stage of the class is essential to ensure that students understand the concepts discussed and to encourage them to continue learning and reflecting on the topic. Feedback also gives students the opportunity to express their doubts and concerns, which can help the teacher improve their future classes.

Conclusion (5-7 minutes)

1. Summary of the Content (1-2 minutes): The teacher should begin the conclusion by recapitulating the main points discussed throughout the class. They should highlight the concept of conscious consumption and how the circulation of goods affects the environment, the economy, and society. In addition, they should emphasize the importance of becoming an agent of transformation through conscious consumption.

2. Connection between theory and practice (1-2 minutes): The teacher should explain how the class connected theory and practice. They can mention the practical activity that students did, where they researched the production and distribution of a product from their daily consumption. This activity allowed students to apply the theory of conscious consumption to real life, helping them understand the impact of their consumption choices.

3. Supplementary materials (1-2 minutes): The teacher should suggest some materials for students who want to deepen their knowledge about conscious consumption and the circulation of goods. This could include books, articles, documentaries, and websites. The teacher should emphasize that these materials are optional, but they can help students better understand the subject and become more conscious consumers.

4. Importance of the theme (1-2 minutes): Finally, the teacher should highlight the importance of the class topic for the students' daily lives. They should explain that the consumption choices we make every day have a direct impact on the world around us. By becoming more conscious consumers, students can contribute to a more sustainable and just world. The teacher should encourage students to apply what they have learned in class to their daily lives and to share their knowledge with others.

The conclusion is an essential part of the class, as it helps to consolidate the students' learning and motivate them to continue learning about the topic. In addition, it gives students a clear vision of how they can apply what they learned in class to their daily lives.