Unit Plan
The Life Cycle Of A T-Shirt
A four-lesson unit designed for Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12), Grades 7-8 (Ages 12-14), and Grades 9-12 (Ages 14-18), complete with a culminating Action Projects Guide featuring 3 project options; also available as three stand alone lessons.
The Life Cycle Of A T-Shirt invites students to delve into the life cycle of a t-shirt, from raw materials and manufacturing to end of life and beyond. Learners will explore the implications of the global clothing supply chain, the environmental and societal impacts of clothing consumption, and examine sustainable ways to manage unwanted clothing. Students will identify and research the unique characteristics and impacts of specific textiles used in clothing production, and examine an invisible aspect of the global plastic pollution crisis that stems from clothing; microfibres. Guided by the inquiry question—What is a supply chain, and how does the journey of a t-shirt through the global clothing supply chain affect people and the environment?—learners will use their understanding to positively reframe the challenges posed, and use their insights and creativity to brainstorm, design, and create innovative, impactful, and hopeful solutions through the 3 culminating project options. As an alternative, the unit has been modified and is offered as three stand alone lessons that each focus on a particular area of content—the supply chain, the environmental impact of textiles, and understanding microfibres.
Individual Lesson Plans
Introduction To The Life Cycle Of A T-Shirt
In this stand-alone lesson, students will delve into the life cycle of a t-shirt, exploring its journey from raw materials and manufacturing, to end of life and beyond. Learners will explore the implications of the global clothing supply chain, the environmental and societal impacts of clothing consumption, and examine sustainable ways to manage unwanted clothing.
The Environmental Impact of Textiles
In this stand-alone lesson, students will identify, research, and synthesize information on the unique characteristics and impacts of specific textiles used in clothing production. Learners will consider the role and responsibility of citizens in mitigating the impacts of clothing choices, and brainstorm empowering strategies for positive habit changes.
Understanding Microfibres
In this stand-alone lesson, students will become familiar with an invisible aspect of the global plastic pollution crisis that stems from clothing; microfibres. Learners will connect their lived experiences as a model for thinking about how different levels of society can deal with the impact of environmental challenges.
Curriculum Connections
Curriculum connections are intended to help teachers understand how the My Clothes My World Unit and Lesson Plans can help meet curricular expectations and more readily incorporate lessons related to climate change, the environment, and sustainability into their teaching practice.
Curriculum connections are derived from official published curriculum documents for Canadian provinces and territories; teachers in other regions can still use these connections as a guide to identify relevant and effective strategies for integrating climate-focused content into their classrooms, even if they are not directly aligned with their local standards.
Additional curriculum connections for other provinces, territories, and regions are on their way! For more information on how to integrate our lesson and unit plans into your teaching context, contact our Youth Education Program Leader at education@fashiontakesaction.com
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Solving Fashion’s Waste Problem
Learn how to reduce the negative impact caused by fashion’s waste and how to be a 7Rs of fashion leader.
A three-lesson unit designed for Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12) and Grades 7-8 (Ages 12-14), complete with a culminating 7Rs Action Project Guide featuring 20 project options.
This program is now available.
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Rethinking The Fashion System
Learn more about fashion’s impact on people and planet by rethinking the fashion system and taking action toward a more just, sustainable future.
A three-lesson unit designed for Grades 9-12 (Ages 14-18), complete with a culminating 7Rs Action Project Guide featuring 20 project options.
This program is now available.
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The Life Cycle Of A T-Shirt
Learn about the lifecycle of a t-shirt and its impact on people and the environment across the entire supply chain.
A four-lesson unit designed for Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12), Grades 7-8 (Ages 12-14), and Grades 9-12 (Ages 14-18), complete with a culminating Action Projects Guide featuring 3 project options.
This program is now available.
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How to Spot Greenwashing
Learn how to spot greenwashing in the fashion industry and uncover the truth behind sustainability claims.
This program will be available for purchase in Fall 2025.
A multi-lesson unit designed for Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12), Grades 7-8 (Ages 12-14), and Grades 9-12 (Ages 14-18)
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Who Makes Our Clothes?
Learn about the people who make our clothes and how fashion impacts the lives of garment workers.
This program will be available for purchase in Winter 2025.
A multi-lesson unit designed for Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12), Grades 7-8 (Ages 12-14), and Grades 9-12 (Ages 14-18)
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Biodiversity And Fashion: How Clothing Impacts Nature
Learn how the clothes we wear impact forests, animals, and the climate, and what we can do to make more sustainable choices.
This program will be available for purchase in Spring 2026.
A three-lesson unit designed for Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12) and Grades 7-8 (Ages 12-14)
