All 4 Each: A Unit to Empower Co-operative Consciousness

The United Nations named 2012 the International Year of Co‑operatives, recognizing the importance of sustainable and prosperous models for business, healthcare, agriculture, and many other industries. As part of the International Year of Co‑operatives, the UN has set three goals for 2012:

Goal 1 Increase public awareness about co‑operatives and their contributions to socioeconomic development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (a United Nations pledge to free people from extreme poverty and multiple deprivations).

Goal 2 Promote the formation and growth of co‑operatives.

Goal 3 Encourage governments to establish policies, laws and regulations conducive to the formation, growth and stability of co‑operatives.

Written in conjunction with the International Year of Co‑operatives, All 4 Each introduces the framework and processes of co‑operative enterprise models. Specifically designed for the Saskatchewan Social Studies 8 curriculum, it can be used to achieve many indicators prescribed for outcome RW 8.1, “Analyze the social and environmental consequences of living in the Canadian mixed market economy based on consumerism.”

Each of the following five lessons builds upon the one prior. Starting with the discussion of what a co‑operative is and how co‑operatives operate in Lesson One, students will move toward putting their ideas forward around forming their own co‑operative businesses in Lesson Five. The resource includes teacher background information, lesson procedures, and student handouts.

Both SCA and PLEA believe that teachers are the professionals best-suited to facilitate student learning. Thus, these lessons are not meant to be prescriptive nor comprehensive. Rather, they are suggestions of how to approach these materials and topics. Teachers are encouraged to use this resource as they see best fit for their students and for their professional practice.

As your class explores the materials in this resource, encourage students to think critically. No model is ever perfect and it is only through co‑operation and critical thinking that greater understandings about co‑operatives can be accomplished. And remember: this is just a very small part of the co‑op story. Be sure to check out the resources listed at the end of this resource for additional information about the history, purpose, and actions of co‑operatives.