Cotton In My Jeans Grades 3-5

Introduction

Do you know where the jeans and T-shirts you wear come from?  If you said COTTON, you are correct. Cotton has been grown all over the world for more than 7,000 years. Cotton is still popular today to make cloth for clothing.  Jeans were worn in the 1600's in Europe although they were known by a different name. The terms denim and blue jeans became popular in America in the early 1800's. Levi Strauss, an immigrant to America, began using cotton denim in waist overalls.  In the 1970's, Americans started using the term "jeans" instead of the terms denim and blue jeans. Sailors in the United States navy in the 1880's wore white cotton undershirts that resembled a perfect “T”. That is where the name "T-shirt" came from.

Task

Your task is to use the Internet to research or study about cotton to find out how your jeans and T-shirts are made from cotton.   You will also need to learn economic terms associated with the cotton industry.

Process

Step 1:  Read the information found on the following sites to learn all about cotton. 

              A. Look at cotton plants.

              B. Learn about one of the pests (insects) that can be harmful to cotton plants.

              C. The cotton plant has a journey of its own.

              D. Here are more cotton links for you to enjoy.

              E.  History of denim and blue jeans.

Step 2:  Prepare a cotton report. 

              1.  Using all of the information you have read about cotton and denim cloth, write a one page summary detailing how cotton is grown, harvested, becomes cotton cloth or denim and then finally becomes a pair of blue jeans or a T-shirt. 

              2.  On the second page of your report provide at least 5 pictures to illustrate the summary you have written. 

              3.  Prepare a page of cotton glossary terms. Include the economic term "middle man" as well as 9 other cotton terms.

              4.  You will also need a cover page. Include a title, picture, your name, grade and teacher on the cover page.

              5.  Give your finished report to the teacher for scoring.

Step 3:   Visit this web page to learn about Space Aged Jeans. 

Step 4:  The last page of Space Aged Jeans is a set of math word problems about cotton. You need to print out this page of questions to be completed. Complete questions 1-5 individually.  You will need clothing ads from your local newspaper and a dictionary to help you answer some of the questions. When you are finished answering the questions, give your paper to the teacher.   

Step 5:  Now discuss question 6 as a class.

 Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know what fabric your jeans and T-shirts are made from and how to use important economic terms associated with the making of clothes.

Evaluation

Teacher Page

Credits 

Teachers are encouraged to adapt this lesson for classroom use only.  No part of this publication may be transmitted, stored, recorded or published in any form without written permission from Missouri Farm Bureau.

This page was developed  by Barbara Irwin, reviewed by Lyndon and Barbara Irwin and is maintained by Missouri Farm Bureau.

Please address questions to Diane Olson at Missouri Farm Bureau or Dr. Lyndon Irwin at Missouri State University. 

©2005 Missouri Farm Bureau, All Rights Reserved!

Last revised on June 10, 2006