I Created A Chocolate And Tea Appreciation Club For Students: Here Are Some Of The Results, Top Takeaways, Resources And Coolest Discoveries We Found And Made Together!

Last year, as part of a service-learning enrichment project, we set out to explore and build community outreach, partnerships and knowledge using an inclusive school enrichment club centered around something relatable and approachable for everyone’s learning. It turns out, people of all ages really enjoy meeting in several settings to try and taste different types of tea, coffee and chocolate!

The following product was an 18 week continuum course on Chocolate & Tea Appreciation (the finer things in life) – complete with formal lessons Google Drive folders, expedition trips and dozens of first-hand photographs – incorporating various interdisciplinary interests, subjects, arts and skills. The purpose was to involve students with engaging experiences and foster connections in a positive setting, encouraging creativity, volunteerism, civic business practices, social, emotional, academic behavioral, and cognitive personal/professional awareness and growth.

I was pleasantly surprised and blown away by the response, regular attendance (20+ individuals) and participation from student leadership officers, members, teachers and community role models with the challenge of coming up with new goals for each week to further push and match expectations and plans to visit coffee, tea & chocolate locations, incorporate designs and investigate relevant field topics! For anyone looking to learn more about a new place or local community – I highly recommend starting by visiting as many small coffee shops and related businesses as possible!

About the Club:

“Chocolate and Tea Appreciation Club is an Extracurricular Club and Online Curriculum, aligned with NC Teaching Standards, intended to promote learning through digital resources and materials, hands-on lessons and activities, and team events with an emphasis on local organizations, tea, chocolate and coffee products, producer-consumer business studies, sustainable environmental-outdoors agencies, arts, service, design and collaborative projects with Crew leadership development and field experiences.”

[excerpt from CTAC Constitutional Charter, 2019]

Hopefully the case study examples and club stories can inspire educators and travelers to find creative solutions and approaches to problem solving, studies or everyday lifestyle choices through combinations of arts, readings, careers, food & drink, environments, people and animals. Also Visit AVL!

More info: exploreasheville.com

Asheville 5k Hot Chocolate Run; Cocoa Mugs mural prize donation by local artist

1st PowerPoint Lesson – It all started with a student idea… we took this suggestion and ran with it, putting together an outline, club details, schedule, numerous lists and a brief visual-online outline with videos of tea and chocolate in history!

Club Posters for raising awareness and eco-sustainability!

Lesson 2 – About Cups and Mugs (History Major Cultural Artifacts, archaeology and explanations) – choosing the right mug to bring & represent for yourself!

Reading Article – Step 1: Find a Reusable Cup, Water Bottle or Mug You Like (Form, Function, Shape, Size, Color, Quotes, Etc.)

Hot Chocolate Run 10k/5k Mugs (Salvaterra Pottery)

Lesson 3 – Types of Tea and Chocolate Definitions (Early impressions, ingredient components, and best growth/economic practices for Initiates of chocolate & tea tastings)

Official Club Logo – Design by Alec P. and Asheville Print Shop (Copyright)

Lesson 4 – Valentines Day Chocolate Advice. Music and Card-Making

Love AVL – Supporting Local Businesses & Buying Products

French Broad Chocolate – Abrogato (ice cream) with espresso :D

River Arts District – ft. Penny Cup Coffee Super RAD Mocha!

Lesson 5 – Equipment (Pro tools, techniques and environmental impacts)

Latte Coffee Art – Pouring 3 Main Designs (Wolff College of Coffee Vlog YouTube)

“Tea Crate” decor, stickers and supplies (acquired over time)

1st weekend volunteer field trip – guided walking tour through West Asheville stores and entertainment venues

Odd’s Cafe – West Asheville, NC (Because everyone loves good sticker designs, company associations and logos)

The Perfect Chai?? (Odd’s Cafe) 5 stars

Resources from organizations (art, emblems, info, bakeries and sales)

Student works K + E (digital alternate logos with cats & kiwis, completed on MS Paint)

Mini Lesson Expedition – Implementing a Successful Day Trip in Brevard based around club core tenets and interests.

The White Squirrel – Brevard’s Obsession/Mascot | Story Here: https://www.brevardnc.org/white-squirrels/

Lesson 6 – Exercises in Business and Branding (How to make your own start-up and personal brand); Students also had chance to lead projects concerning animal and environmental non-profits, shelters and pollinator habitats with submissions for pet mascots and sponsored endangered animals/fundraising

Graphic Design Advertising for Club Recruitment and Student Store Concept

Lesson 7 – Water Quality and Conservation (Science/Social Studies)

Nonprofit and Volunteer Service Organization Opportunities

LNT Policy for School and Club Clean-Up

Fri-yay Lesson in Black Mtn and Weaverville, NC (: Featuring Hole Donuts and Dynamite Roasting Co.

Research Expedition #2 – River Arts District: A literal Gallery Walk

Art/Sculpture/Painting/Pottery Studios (Not Pictured – Odyssey Co-Op Gallery, Pink Dog Creative, Wedge Studios) Eco Depot)

Lesson 8-9 – Expressing and Crafting Art: What Makes Chocolate and Tea Accessible is it’s [relative] affordability in options and approach to integrating views from angles to involve and include opportunities for people to work together and enjoy socializing toward common interests and goals.

Aardman Animation postcard – Wallace and Gromit clay armatures (Tea and Cheese Superfans)

Lesson 11 – International/Global Exploration – New Perspectives and Getting Outside One’s Comfort Zone or what might be familiar

Club Member Stickers by Asheville Print Shop (Original art by student Alec P.)

Spring Break Explorations – Cafe Bookshops, Experimental Espresso blends and chocolate in dining restaurants

Activities, Games and Quotes for Team Networks (Always a Plus to Include!)

Final Expedition 3 – Downtown Asheville (High Five, FBC, Malaprops)

Transition Lesson (Counter Culture Coffee): Preparation for end of the year, next steps

Bonus – Street festivals, special events and local vendors (Go to local craft/renaissance fairs, area arts councils and plays for inspiration and gift ideas)

Final Lesson Learning Objectives – Taking what you learned and applying it to world situations (Guest Speakers, team photos and professional resources, TED talks)

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