3.5 Environmental Education Introduction Games

this section is full of games that are all related to environmental education.  These games can be used not only in lessons to help students learn about this topic, but also this is a fun way to help them get interested in this area.  This is important because if they are not interested in the lessons they will not want to learn about them so this will be a good way to start off so that you can create enthusiasm about the environment. An environmental volunteer from group 24 compiled this list. 

1. The Giving Tree (My favorite lesson)

This is a great introduction to trees. I used this before we talked about why trees are important and what they give us. I passed out copies to each student (or groups). I also passed out strips of paper divided into sections like a comic strip and markers. They took turns reading the story and translating. As they read each section we talked about what was happening in the story and then they drew pictures. The students really liked this activity because they love any chance to draw, and it was an easy and interesting story with a good moral.

2. What Do Trees Give Us?

In the following lesson, I showed flashcards of different things made from trees. For example: wood for homes, furniture, magazines, books, etc. Fruit, tea, cocoa, medicine, gum, rubber, etc. Plus cleaning our air and giving us shade, habitat for animals, and aesthetic value. They learned the words of each flashcard, and I drew a big tree and we taped the cards to the tree. Later we played a game where I taped the cards to their backs, and they had to ask yes and no questions to the other students to see what they were.

3. Adopt a Tree

I drew a chart for them to describe their tree in all seasons. They had to describe what the leaves, flowers, bark, fruit, seeds, etc looked like in each season. They named the tree and wrote the location and size and what kind of tree they adopted on their chart. Then they received a certificate saying that they adopted a tree.

4. Geographical Ecology of Ukraine

The students enjoyed this activity because they learned about all the regions of their country. See handout. The information is in 2 languages so it’s useful for those students who have trouble with English. We discussed each area of Ukraine. They drew a map and labeled each area. This is a good activity to have the students write and present a report. Groups of students can present each area.

5. The Commons Dilemma

This is a hands-on and fun activity. The owner of an open lot in the middle of a city wants to sell his land to one of several interested groups. I divided the class into several groups and gave them each a card telling them who they were and how much they would pay for the lot. One group was the owner of the land and they had a picture of plot of land. The other groups were:

-Gardeners -Ecologists -Apartment Builders

-Parents Group -Conglomerate Company

They each had advantages and disadvantages. They had to make a presentation to the owners telling them why they wanted the land. Then the owners selected which group they would sell the land to. See handout.

6. The Flying Foxes of Samoa (Debate)

This is about a boy who has to decide whether or not to hunt endangered bats to earn money for his family to buy food. I divided the class into two groups. One supported the boy hunting the bats and the other said that he should not. I gave the class time to prepare their ideas for their debate, and we debated at the next class. See handout

7. Ecology Scavenger Hunt

This is a great activity for beginning English speakers. I made up a list of simple items found in nature. The first person to find all of the items listed won a prize. I used this as an activity for earth day in the park.

Some Items: Pine cone, feather, something soft, 3 colors of leaves, a piece of trash, a dead insect, etc.

Make sure that the students don’t pick the flowers or kill live insects!

8. Ecology Poetry

I taught the students different types of poems, and then they had to write their own poem about ecology. It’s a good way for them to learn new vocabulary.

9. Letters to the USA

The students wrote letters describing the environment in their city and in Ukraine. They also wrote about the pollution and Chernobyl. It makes them feel important to share their country with other students. Then maybe they will receive letters from students in the US.

10. Vocabulary Games

-Pictionary

-Hangman

-Bingo

-No name: I wrote all the new vocabulary all over the chalk board. I described one of the words and the two students had to find which word I was describing. The first one to find it got a point for their team.

-No name: I gave two students a word to describe. The first one that knew how to describe it had to hit a book in the center of a table and describe it accurately. Then they received a point for their team.