To think this is not an activity in primary school

Yes, very. You don’t have enough to worry about.

I don't really see it as any different to 'make a poster about climate change' which would be a normal primary school activity. They are just using a different medium.

I very much doubt they are going to take them to stand out on the street shouting and holding placards.

Make a fuss? Or just say whatever and carry on?

YABU. My own kids were involved in Climate awareness groups and Earth days etc in primary school over 20 years ago. It’s hardly ‘activism’ by making them aware at a very young age that we should be taking better care of the only habitable planet we have. You’re being ridiculous.

I think you should have been told, or been able to find out about it via the school website curriculum section.

Better than most geography lessons I ever had.

I think it’s a great way to teach them about climate change

Of all the things to get worked up about this is not one of them.

You’re being absolutely ridiculous.

A climate protest seems a bit odd. Generally schools avoid political statements. It would be worth checking facts though as children can misunderstand from time to time.

Is it a real protest or a fictional one for the activity?

I think it can teach a lot about being part of your community, standing strong for things that are important to you, different ways to be herad. It's probably one of the less controversial topics to use to teach this e.g. if it was stop the boats or trans rights.

The ironic thing is that many parents probably either had to drive to buy the T-shirt, or ordered it on Amazon.

They will be doing something with the shirt or why put that expense on parents as opposed to designing a poster?
Not sure I’d be that upset about it though.

Are they actually attending a protest? Awareness is one thing but there are so many things to paralyse kids with fear about at the moment it’s no wonder they are struggling. I think it all hinges on whether this helps them have a sense of control or leaves them feeling helpless.

Yes, I am not sure how buying clothes you might not otherwise have bought helps the environment (or any poor kids in the class, really). Unless they are actually going to wear them to a protest then a poster would surely make more sense, both environmentally and economically?

I doubt they're literally attending a protest. If anything I don't think DC are taught enough about climate issues and this seems like a fairly engaging way to do it. YABU.

Climate change is a fact. As to what is causing it, there are many varied issues, some pushed and some buried depending on the politics.
Having taught this, we give factual information and give as many sides of the argument as to what the causes are. We don’t tell children in primary school what the political parties say/believe.

I think a t shirt is a ‘novel’ way of showing what they have learnt; maybe there’s been too many posters in other subjects of late. But I think there are other ways of doing it other than asking parents to buy a plain white t shirt.

Fair point. Maybe they should have suggested an old t shirt or shirt no longer used.

Of course it's normal. We were doing similar things back in the 90's. It's just an activity, they're not actually going to protest

It might say what the overall geography unit for the half term but it's unlikely to have individual lessons objectives and even if it did, you wouldn't necessarily know what the task related to the objective would be (the objective not being to decorate a t-shirt but to understand climate change).

That was my thought. The damage to the environment of what will inevitably be a class full of cheap T-shirts never worn, produced in a sweatshop and destined for landfill. Ironic.

And a good majority will do C&C from Asda/Next and pick it up as part if their normal shop. Or, as is the norm around me, wider family/other parents will grab one.

Pointless landfill.

Can't they just design a picture instead?

I remember in my 70s childhood the teacher making us all draw ‘ban blood sports’ posters. I was probably about 8 and we were all from very working class homes in an industrial town. Not much fox hunting near us! Yet we diligently did it and felt very passionate about it at the time.

This will be part of their citizenship education to raise awareness of social justice issues. Some of that will be learning about peaceful protest including wearing t shirts. Like you op, I do worry that these things can tip over into the political for some ‘right on’ woke teachers (a bit like my teacher) but I’m sure your kid will enjoy learning about it and making a t shirt. Pick your battles op.

This was my only thought - plus the T-shirts that won’t be used again

But it’s still making a purchase that wouldn’t otherwise have been made. And, as PPs have said, destined for landfill.

They're designing t-shirts with a message, not planning to storm Cop31 with sub-machine guns.