Understanding Supply Chains Through Everyday Objects (Years 5–10 Economics & Business)

Introduction

Every object in a classroom: from a banana to a T‑shirt: has travelled through a complex supply chain. Exploring these journeys helps students understand production, distribution, consumption and ethical decision‑making. Fairtrade Australia and other Australian organisations offer free, accessible resources that support this learning. This activity suits Years 5–10 Economics and Business and builds real‑world economic literacy.

How to Use It in the Classroom

Students choose an everyday object and investigate its journey from raw materials to consumer. Teachers can introduce concepts such as labour, transport, sustainability and global interdependence. Students map the supply chain, identify key decision points, and evaluate ethical considerations. This activity works well as a research task, group project or visual presentation. It also supports cross‑curricular links with Geography and Science.

Five practical tips, tricks and ideas for the classroom

• Provide a list of common objects to choose from
• Use Fairtrade case studies to model ethical supply chains
• Have students create a visual map or infographic
• Compare two supply chains (e.g., Fairtrade vs non‑Fairtrade)
• Use real packaging labels to trace origins

Australian Curriculum Connections

• AC9HE5K02 – How resources are produced and distributed
• AC9HE6K02 – The roles of consumers and businesses in markets
• AC9HE8K02 – How businesses create value through production and marketing
• AC9HE9S02 – Analyse data and information to make informed decisions
• AC9HE10K02 – How economic decisions affect individuals and communities

 Oral Histories: Capturing Local Stories (Years 5–12 History)

Introduction

Oral histories offer a powerful way for students to connect with the past through lived experience. Using free guides from the State Library of South Australia and other state libraries, teachers can support students to conduct interviews with family or community members. This approach is ideal for Years 5–12 History and helps students understand continuity, change, perspective and significance through authentic voices.

A few of the resources available from the State Library of South Australia. 

How to Use It in the Classroom

Students plan and conduct interviews about a local event, cultural tradition, migration story or community change. Teachers can scaffold the process by modelling questioning techniques, discussing ethical considerations, and exploring how oral histories differ from written sources. Students then transcribe, summarise or present their findings. This activity builds communication skills, empathy and historical understanding, and works well as a long‑form inquiry or assessment task.

Five practical tips, tricks and ideas for the classroom

• Use a class‑generated list of interview questions
• Practise interviewing in pairs before speaking to community members
• Encourage students to record audio (with permission) for accuracy
• Compare oral accounts with written sources to identify similarities and differences
• Create a class digital archive or exhibition of stories

Australian Curriculum Connections

• AC9HS6S02 – Interpret information from a range of sources
• AC9HH8S02 – Analyse the origin, purpose and context of primary sources
• AC9HH9K02 – The significance of individuals, groups and events
• AC9HH10S02 – Evaluate the reliability and usefulness of sources
• AC9HH12S03 – Communicate historical arguments using evidence