Dear Colleagues, Learning Circle Volunteers!Belarus is my Motherland and I’m one of its citizens, Natalia Tarik, a teacher of the English language in the secondary school # 213 in Minsk, the capital of our state. I’ve been working at this school for two years trying to encourage my pupils in their learning English. I teach different grades and each pupil individually, because communicative method of teaching that I apply at my lessons and out of them involves each person in sharing views, opinions and at least energy that shines in their eyes. Last year my pupils of the 7th form took part in the environmental project “Save the ozone layer!”. We were not winers,but participation itself was very precious for us as we acquired unestimating experience in group work and unity of efforts in achiving mutual goals. One of the ways I use very often at my lessons is brainstorming that makes my pupils think,developes their individuality. Provoking questions help me in that aim. Most of all I like to inspire my students. I like them to be active and in High Spirits. Sometimes people don’t see how exciting communication can be with each of the grade of students, to see them grow as individuals and be proud of their results and achievements. My group of students of different age and classes 15 in number but the circle grows.I participate in Learning Circle for the first time and hope to awoke my students’ awareness in learning language with the help of live writing and project activity.Age: 47Years of teaching: 10Subject: English LanguageDegree: I graduated from the Belarusian State University, Philological department in 1983 and the Teachers’ training Institute in 2000, BA in English, Russian and Belorusian Languages and LiteratureEducational Interests: Telecommunication,  critical thinking, collaborative teaching,.Hobbies: Reading, watching movies, psychology, biology, writing poems and short stories.

My name is Maria. I am 14. I study in the eighth form at school number 213. I like listening RUSSIAN RAP music, spending time with my friends, watching videos, playing football and dancing. I dislike dishonest people,quarrelling with friends, listening to POP music and crowded public transport. I hate when people pollute nature, leave rubbish in the forest, factories and plants pollute rivers and air, and people suffer from serious diseases. I would like to connect my future profession with protecting people from evil.Mу e-mail: MasikRAP@mail.ru

Hi! My name is Dasha! I'm 14 years old. I study at an average school number 213 at the 8th form.I live in Minsk, Belarus.  I'm keeping on Hip-Hop dancing. I like listening to Hardrock, Pank-Rock MUSIC (SUM41, FOB, Amatory, Jane Air, Simple plan etc.). I like to read detective stories. I like to watch TV program, go shopping. I dislike POP music, reading romantic stories, I like to go to McDonalds with my friends-classmates. I like my school very much. It is cozy with long corridors, with large windows. That is why it seems to be so light. There is an Assembly Hall that we stage all the concerts in, a canteen where we have meals and usually all the senior classes come there on the second break to have lunch. We have two computer classes on the first floor and chemical laboratories, library and lots of classes for studying various subjects on the second floor.My e-mail:Bad_Ada_AntiEMO@List.ru

DARYA SHERSHEN

VOLKOVA MARIA

NASTYA VASHKEVICH

My name is Nastya. I am 13. I like to listen to music. Emo-core is the best music for me. But most of all I like to meet my friends. It's really fun. We always laugh, joke and have a good time. I study at the 8th form and get good marks. I want to communicate with different people. I would like to connect my future with diplomacy. Peace to all the people on the Earth!

My name is Lena. I’m fourteen years old. I study at school № 213 in the 9th form. I’m too busy

because I’m interested in dancing and swimming. In my free time I like to read interesting books, for example detective stories and novels. I think that books are very important in our life, they can help us to understand different situations, they teach us how to live. Practically as all

people I like theatre and cinema. I think that these are great arts. I have two close friends. Their names are Anya and Dasha.I can always rely on them, I can trust them as they are real friends in need. My family is very friendly. There are four of us: me, my Mother Maria, My Father Igor

and my elder sister Anny.

ELENA KUNITSA

TREE BEST FRIENDSTREE BEST FRIENDS

Hello my name is Andrey.I live in Belarus (Minsk). Minsk is a capital of Belarus. I am 14 years old. I study at the 9th form, at school № 213. I like to study. My favorite subject is Math, Geography and PT. I like music, taking pictures, computer games, adventure films, to explore Internet and many other things that boys prefer. I like to listen to “Linkin park”, “Amatory”, “Nightwish”, “Red Hot Chilli Peppers” and many Belarusian singes.I like to go to the cinema with friends.

Everyone goes to school. Everyone learns different things at school. Our school is nice. It is a three storey-building. Our classes begin at half past eight. We usually have five or six classes a day. There is a hall, a canteen, a cafe, cloakrooms and an Assembly hall on the ground floor. There is a teacher's room, headmaster's office, a gym on the first floor.   We are taught a lot of subjects at school. We study Math, Languages, History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE, Geography, Handicraft.   School helps us to choose future profession, to form outlook, to get along with people and prepare for future life and gives an opportunity for future profession to choose .

by_hellsing@mail.ru

ANDREY MOROCHKOVSKIY

My name is Sergey. I’m Belarusian.I was born on July 30,1993in Minsk. I’m at the 9th form. I’m doing quiet well at school. My favorite subjects at school are Literature and Physical Training. I also like English. I have many friends with whom I spend much time together. Three times a week in the evening I go in for wrestling without rules. It’s a sport for men. When I’m at home I watch TV, listen to music. I like disco stile in music, I listen it for relaxation. Sometimes I go for a walk with my friends. Minsk is a beautiful city. We like to walk in the center of Minsk: Independence square, Yakub Kolas square, Nemiga street, Trinity suburb-the oldest part of the city), Masherov avenue. I love Minsk and our republic.

SERGEY PETRENKO

My name is Sasha, it is short from Alexandra. I study in the 9th form. I am amusing but sometimes I like to cry to express my sadness. I’m a very faithful friend and a trustworthy person. I like comedies and enjoy music that makes me cry. I’m very friendly and appreciate devotion in friendship in return. I like to read anecdotes and funny stories. I have various interests but still haven’t aim in my life.

ALEXANDRA SARAPKINA

My name is Kate. I study together with Sasha in the same class and in the same English group. We are friends.I like listening to music. My favorite music style is rock. I like people who play the guitar. Sometimes I have sad periods in my life, sometimes bright, but I like to face difficulties and overcome them. I’m a strong person.

Katherin Borsenko

My name is Julia Khatskevich. I am 14. I was born on January, 20th, 1993 in Minsk. When I was 6, I went to school. My school is very beautiful and I like to study in my school.  Good teachers work at my school. Now I study in form 9G. I am especially good in algebra and geometry, but also coped with the rest of the subjects. I like the lessons of English language because it is very interesting to talk it. In my free time I like to read, walk with friends and to go on discos. I prefer to read novels . I have many good friends. I like to spend a lot of time with them. I dream to go to London and to visit all its well-known places.

Julia Khatskevich

ANNA VUSLIKMy name is Ann. I’m fifteen. I’m in the ninth form. I live in a nice flat in Minsk. I have Mother and Father but I have neither

sister or brother. I’m tall. My hair is long and brown. My eyes are dark brown. I learn many interesting core subjects at school. They are : English, History and Russian. Also we learn Math, Geography and Biology, but I’m not interested in that subjects.

I like reading books. My favorite hobby is playing draughts. I go to the draughts club six time a week and play draughts professionally. I also enjoy watching TV, reading and playing tennis. I am keen on listening to rock music. I can play the

guitar. I learn German and English. I like both languages, but I’m better at English.

VICTORIA BRESHKO VERONICA PIPCHENKO

Alina Kozlova

We are pupils of the 8th form.

we like to study at school and

we are good at English and the Russian and Belorusian

Literature and languages.We

like to listen to the pop-music: ”Rihana”,”Tokio- Hotel”, the songs of Dima Bilan.

We have brothers and sisters:

4 members in our families.

Our school.

On the first of September millions of pupils come back to school after summer holidays to start or continue studies, to meet classmates and teachers. Traditionally the first day at

school is holiday – the Day of knowledge. Our school is situated in Lyubimova street. It’s a large three storied building with light recreations connected by long corridors. The

classrooms are spacious and light. Pupils study different subjects there: the Russian, Belorusian, English languages and literature, Mathymatics, History, Physics, Chemistry, Cultural studies, Geography, Biology and Handicraft for boys and girls. We have all the

facilities to acquire computer and trade skills and to go in for sports. There are two computer classes in our school and a large sport hall for playing games and having sport competitions. There are video classes and workshops, a dancing hall in our school. Besides, we have our

concerts in the cozy Assembly Hall exactly opposite to the entrance of our school so if someone were invited to the concert, he wouldn’t miss the place or wouldn’t be lost in such

a large school.

It’s our Assembly Hall where we have concerts and meetings.

Here we have a concert of the famous Belorusian group and a popular poet

and a composer Vladimir Tsybulsky presented us his verses(he is in the middle

of the picture and our principal is on the top of it)

MINSKMinsk? City with enough ancient history. For the first time it is mentioned in annals in 1067. In 1974 Minsk the rank of a hero city, in commemoration of its inhabitants in struggle against fascism during the second world war has been appropriated. At the moment the executive committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the government and parliament of the Republic of Belarus is

located in Minsk. Minsk is known for the cultural component. 16 museums, including the National art museum, the Museum of

history and culture of Belarus, the Museum of history of the War II, eleven theatres, including State Russian Drama and Belarusian

Academic theatres. Besides,there are 20 cinemas, 139 libraries in the city. There are 34 higher educational institutions, including the Belarusian State University, the Belarusian National Technological University, the Minsk State Linguistic University in Minsk.

Besides,there are 28 special educational institutions, 258 comprehensive schools, more than 500 preschool establishments.

(Andrey Morochkovskiy)

Minsk.Minsk is the capital of the Republic of Belarus, its political and business centre. It is one of the oldest and the most beautiful cities in our republic. Minsk stands on the river Svisloch. About two million people live and work there. There are many beautiful streets and

squares in the city. The main street is Skariny avenue. A lot of trees and nice flowers grow in the streets and squares. There are many parks and gardens in Minsk. The most famous is the Botanical garden. Many people come to the park named after Maxim

Gorky to walk and enjoy roundabouts with children. One can find lots of theatres, churches, cinemas and museums in Minsk. The most famous theatres are the Opera and Ballet theatre, the Yanka Kupala theatre, the Academic Drama theatre. There are many

attractions in Minsk to visit even if you come to our city in winter. You’ll find jolly skating rings where children and adults like to spend there spare time.

I like my city and proud of being the Belarusian.

(Elena Kunitsa)

  History and Culture      Ancient stands of people on the territory of Belarus existed already 25 thousand years ago.   In the 6th - 8th centuries, Slavonic tribes living between the Elbe and Vistula began to settle in the south and east, including the territory of Belarus. The oldest city in Belarus is Polotsk known since 862.   For the first time Minsk mentioned in 1067 under the name of Mensk as a fortress of the Polotsk Principality. Since 1104-as a part of the Minsk, principality, since the 14th century-a part of the Grand Principality of Lithuania. Minsk was  granted the Magdeburg Right. Situated  on the crossroads of the important trade routes , Minsk had wait commercial relations with the west and the east .During the war of 1654-1667 between Russia and

Rzech Pospolita, the North War of 1700-1721 the city was repeatedly destroyed.  

   GEOGRAPHICAL POSITIONBelarus is located in the center of Europe, at the crossroads of trade routes from west to east, from north to south, in the western part of the Eastern European Plain, in the watersheds of the Dnieper and Nieman rivers, the middle  reaches of the Western Bug and Western Dvina rivers and the right bank of the river Pripiat. Most of Belarus is lowlands with heights ranging from 80 to 345

meters above the sea levelThe  flat territory ,the damp moderate continental  climate (the temperature in January averages minis 9*C , and in July plus 18*C

(16-65)) with an annual precipitation  of 550 to 700mm(22 to28 inches), the well- developed hydrographic network and mixed deciduous and coniferous woods-all  this creates favorable conditions for habitation , farming , construction and transportation.

  The territory of Belarus covers 207.6 thousand sq km (36% under woods, 2% water, 45% farm land, 17% other lands).  It stretches out for up to 650 km (406 miles) from west to east and 560 km (350 miles) from north to south, bordering Russia in the north and east, the Ukraine in the south and Poland, Lithuania and Latvia in the west and northwest. The agate border length is 2,969 km.

 Minsk is the capital of the Republic of Belarus. Minsk is 500 km away from Warsaw, 1,060 km from Berlin, 1,300 km Vienna, and 700 km from Moscow, 215 km from Vilnius, 580 km from Kiev.

The total population is 10 million people as of 2000, including 70.2% of towns people and 29, 8% of country people.The Republic of Belarus  consists of  6 regions with centers in the cities of Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel,Grodno and Mogilev, witch are further divided into 118 rural districts,102 towns and over 24 thousand townships and villages. 1.7 million People live in Minsk. 

One of the peculiarities of the Belarusian nature is a great number of lakes: about 11 thousand lakes of the total area of 2,000km2. the total area of glacial lakes is around 1,200m2 , and of flood-land lakes 800 km2.

Over 130 weather reservoirs of the total area of 799 km2 have been built to control ground waters and humidity of the adjacent reclaimed lands.

Belarusian forests occupy about 36% of the country's territory. Immature, ripe and overripe forests constitute 19%. For all this, only 1.3m3 of forests is being logged per 1 ha wood area compared to 4.4 in Germany and 3.7in Austria.

Forests are rich in medical herbs. About 290 kinds of herbs important for scientific and folk medicine grow here. Belarus is among the countries exporting ledium, fresh water sponge, marsh cud weed,etc.

Animals life in Belarus is  represented by over 31 thousand species : 73 species of mammal animals( bison, elk, wild boar, deer, fox, wolf, bear, hair, roe deer, goat ,lynx, and others); 300 species of birds, 58 species of fish, about 30 thousand species of insects. The

biggest among the Belarus fauna is the bison- a relic mammal, which has become a symbol of the country. It mainly dwells in Belovezhskaya Pushcha occupying an area of 876 m2 and being a national forest reserve. This park has been put on the list of the

world heritage of the mankind.

The My Hero Classroom SurveyCircle Name: My Hero

Class Name: “ECO PLUS”PART I. INTRODUCING THE CLASS

A. Name of teacher: Natalia TarykB. Grade level: 8th, 9th.

C. Class favorites (List your class top 5 favorites in each category):1. Music groups:” Kryvi”, “Stary Olsa”

2. AuthorsPushkin, Lermontov, Korotkevich,Kolas, Kupala...

3. TV programsComedy club

4. FoodsDraniky- Belorusian pancakes from potatoes (sometimes with meat inside)

5. School subjectsEnglish, Literature,Maths,Physics,Chemistry,PT lesson

6. Sportssoccer, swimming, volleyball,basketball

7. Video or computer gamesWorld in conflict, Faces of War, Medieval 2,Warcraft

8. Other Class Favorites of your choiceWe like to travel in our country and abroad.

PART II. INTRODUCING THE SCHOOLA. School information

1. Name and address of class and school

School № 213 (it doesn't have a name)

27, Lyubimova Street, Minsk, Belarus.2. Number of students in class and school

17-25in a class, 800 in the school3. Size of school

A three-storey building4. School emblem, colors or mascot

Berendei5. Type and number of computers

28(Pentium3)6. School history

Our school is 10 years old, one of the common schools in Belarus. Among our graduates there haven’t been famous people yet, but there will definitelly grow up.

B. School program1. List 3 things about your school program that make it unique.

We have a debate club “Alternative” and a possibility for the pupils to have a part time job in the brigade of the same name, we have a Belorusian club where pupils compose their poems in Belorusian language, sing Belorusian songs and dance

national dances,sometimes they stage plays in the Belorusian language.2. List school calendar from the session dates (holidays and special

events that may affect your participation).School year starts on 1st of September, this day is called "The Day of Knowledge". It is a tradition to give teachers flowers on this

day.Autumn holidays: 31.10 – 10.11Winter holidays: 24.12 – 09.01Spring holidays; 23.03 – 1.04

School year ends 25.05. 9th and 11th graders have exams in June.PART III. INTRODUCING THE COMMUNITY

A. Your community1. Name of your community

The capital of Belarus - Minsk3. Location of your community

The city is located in the centre of Belarus, a landlocked country with thousands of lakes and rivers, with famous reserves like Belovezhskaya Pushcha and Berezinsky Reserve, Nalibokskaya Pushcha

5. The population of your communityAbout 2,000,000 peopleB. Special characteristics

1. List 3 reasons why people come to visit your area.I. We have lots of museums and art galleries

II. We have beautiful cathedrals and churches. III. We have green zones in our city for bathing and having fun.

IV.Our circus is the best place of entertainment.V.You won’t miss our theatres and cinemas.

VI.You’ll enjoy our skating ring any time of the year. 2. Describe any unusual land formation found in or near your community.

I.Brestskaya fortressII.Lake Naroch;

III.Slavianskiy Bazar in VitebskC. Industries

Automobile plant that produces cars, bikes, bicycles.The most tasty sweets are produced in Minsk by our plant “Communarka”

PART IV. WHO IS A HERO?Our heroes are doctor Frantsysk Scorina-a man who brought literacy in our country and preserved our language,

Eufrosiniya of Polotsk-a holy woman and a great enlightner, Simeon of Polotsk-one of the greatest teachers,Tadeush Kostiushko-political and military man,Ignat Dameika-the founder of mineralogy in Chile,a great

explorer who made a significant contribution to different branches of human knowledge: mineralogy,physics,chemistry,metalurgy,geography,botany,geology, pedagogy,ethnography and zoology.

Best regards, Minsk, Belarus.