by Brian Fahey, Wilmington Friends

In this WebQuest we will learn about the use of slavery in the production of chocolate. We want to educate ourselves and our communities about modern day slavery. Come help us out!

Teacher Introduction

This lesson grew from a question that a student asked in class one day. We were discussing the various boycotts that the colonists used against the British in colonial America. One of my students asked if there were and modern day boycotts. My teaching partner replied that there was a boycott against certain kinds of chocolate, and then the student asked why in the world anyone would boycott chocolate. We decided to find out the answer to that question. From there we researched chocolate slavery, fair trade products and other forms of modern day slavery.

By completing this lesson students will be educating themselves, and others, about the problem of modern day slavery. Along the way they will sharpen their critical reading and writing skills, learn how to navigate the web more effectively, learn how to  identify reliable and unreliable web pages, and practice collaborating with their peers.