By Nino Jimshitashvili Telavi,Akura Kobuleti 2013

Purpose of students’ clubs Improve communicative skills in English Learning about being a volunteer Developing skills and career interests Types of clubs: Drama, Environmental, film, science, Chess, Maths, Art, History, Travel clubs

How To Start Clubs Survey student interests: What topics or clubs would they be interested in? Need commitment of students to participate Need projects which spark student interest and actively involve them. Need a calendar of activities. Work with another teacher – Maths or Science, or Social studies to reach a wide number of students I joined with Biology and Civic Education teacher to form the Environmental club in Akura.

Steps for establishing a club Worked with Biology and Civic Education teachers in preparing a power point about the polluted atmosphere. Biology teacher also made a presentation to both our classes. These activities created an initial awareness of some of the environmental problems in the world and in Georgia. Creating an awareness of the club’s purpose is important so that students want to get involved.

Schedule of Activities In February we planted trees on the school grounds as part of demonstrating the club’s purpose. We created badges which said that the students were members of the Akura Environmental Club. On Earth Day of 22 nd of April we cleaned the center of the village. Students of all ages participated along with their parents. On May 25 th we went to the Lagodekhi Protected Area for a field trip. 18 students and the Biology teacher went.

Planting trees

Biology and English Lesson

Earth Day Clean up April 22 nd

Bird watching in Lagodekhi

Riding Bicycles at Ilya’s Lake

Keep the Momentum Going To keep student interest alive, we are planning another trip Ilya’s Lake in the summer. Next year, the Biology teacher and I are making plans to film a variety of student activities and to encourage students to make a documentary about an environmental issue. We are also developing a calendar of trips and projects so that we can add students to our club. For example, those who would be interested in filming and in ecologically sound farming practices. We might also study in greater depth genetic engineering.

Benefits Interest students in protecting the natural environment Develop interests to help students decide on fields of studies and careers Develop English language skills Develop group work skills to complete projects. Develop pronunciation and intonation skills when they moderate the documentary

Challenges Students have to fund the trips Involving parents in field trips encourages students to participate. Technical problems such learning how to use digital cameras, learning how to edit film, learning how to speak confidently on camera. Working with parents Every student wants to be a leader. Need to establish a variety of projects for documentary filming in order to promote collaborative learning.

RESOURCES Why Should I Recycle? By Jen Green Why Should I Save energy? By Jen Green A Green,Green Garden-By Mercer Mayer Environment Book-Learn How You Can Help Save The Environment-By Sheri Amsel

Thank You For Your Attention