What would Halloween be like without the Ecuadorian rainforest?

• This resource is of great value in targeting the year 4 geography content description about the sustainable use of resources provided by the environment. Student activities include researching the origin of the ingredients of chocolates, estimating and comparing the cost of transportation, and evaluating the impact of different chocolates on the environment. A slide show supports an analysis of sustainable cacao farming practices in Ecuador.
• This resource is of great value in targeting the content descriptions about recording and representing data, and about using a range of communication forms to present information. Student activities include listing the ingredients of different chocolates in comparative tables, creating maps that display the origin of ingredients, composing a story that traces the origin and production of a chocolate treat, and creating labels for chocolates that include a reference to the sustainability of production.
• This resource is of some value in targeting the sustainability cross-curriculum priority, in particular the organising idea that informed action that values equity and fairness contributes to achievement of the sustainability of ecological, social and economic systems. Students investigate the hidden cost of food production by considering the origin of ingredients, cost of transportation and sustainability of farming practices, and also learn about the work of conservation groups to assure fairness and quality of life for farming communities in developing countries such as Ecuador.

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