Jump to main content
Grade 8-9
Subject History, Social Studies
Resource type Lesson plan/Unit plan
Duration Over 60 minutes

About This Resource

Fast fashion is one of the most urgent sustainability challenges facing the modern world, linking clothing consumption to pollution, textile waste, exploitative labour practices, and the depletion of natural resources. Students begin by examining factory labour during the Industrial Revolution alongside modern clothing manufacturing through video analysis. By comparing historical and contemporary garment production, students investigate how labour issues, consumer demand, and environmental impacts are connected across time. Students then compare the two systems using a Venn Diagram before investigating a clothing company of their choice to determine how ethical and sustainable its manufacturing practices are. Students conclude by sharing their findings and reflecting on how historical issues surrounding labour continue to exist today.
Sustainability and the Ethics of Clothing Manufacturing: Comparing Textile Factories in the Industrial Revolution to modern day Clothing Manufacturing

Resource info