The 20-minute Makeover
Change “clean up” to “makeover” and take your students outside for a breath of fresh vocabulary.
Encouraging young people to care for the earth is like telling them to do their homework; it works best when you don’t sound preachy. One way to make earth friendliness fun is by organizing a trash clean up day at your local park. To avoid the complaints, call it a “twenty-minute makeover” and remind learners that it’s a break from sitting in class.
What’s that Trash?
Using realia in the classroom is a great way to help learners remember vocabulary that they might not find in books. Finding realia outside of the classroom is even better. On a nice day, walk your students down to the nearest park or schoolyard. Take two large garbage bags and a few plastic bins (for recyclables).
Here are some unfamiliar words your students may come across during the trash cleanup/makeover:
Trash Vocabulary
lids
straws
crumpled napkins
grocery flyers
bottle caps
cigarette butts
wrappers
food packaging
When you return to class make a list of all of the garbage you collected. This is a great way to introduce synonyms.
For example:
garbage=trash, waste, litter; soda can=tin of pop, can of pop, carbonated beverage; lid=top; trash can=garbage can, garbage receptacle, waste basket…
Adopt a Park
If your students enjoy getting out of the class, consider adopting a park or section of your school’s neighbourhood. Once a month, take your students out and give your designated area a 20 minute makeover. Challenge each student to find a piece of trash that they do not know the name for. Have students describe the unknown trash.
Tips for Keeping it Green:
- Have each student bring in a pair of reusable gardening gloves rather than using disposable gloves.
- Don’t be tempted to hand out a bunch of garbage bags. Place one or two bags in a central location, along with a bin for recyclables.
- Mix things up by inviting another class (or the whole school) to join in. Students will enjoy the new company and will be more open to participating.
- Create incentive by assigning teams. Whichever group brings back the least amount of trash has to haul the garbage and recyclables back to the school.
Image: marsdd
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
August 13th, 2009 at 17:38
Teenagers always do what you want in class if they don’t feel any pressure to do it. To lead them to an activity like that, is really meaningful. Congratulations.
August 15th, 2009 at 17:26
It’s a great way to relax from usual classroom activities and to do something useful.
August 30th, 2009 at 11:40
Those are great ideas. It would be an excellent engage to a science topic or any reading about enviroment. It’s fresh, relaxing and they will love it.