MANY of the boys reading in Room 15 are modern-day fans of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn stories, with a few small, dedicated Harry Potter types tucked in cosy corners.
This class is testament some primary school boys need to learn in a more energetic, adventurous and liberated way _
a way that schedules physical exercise bursts throughout the day between lessons, like a fast game of ball-tag, a PE workout or some serious running around the school field.
For these chaps of ``The Lions Learning Den'' (the name unanimously voted in for the class three years ago), they know they are the chosen ones and are proud of it.
Hanging high in a prominent place, where it can be easily read, is a constant reminder that says:
``Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so that we could listen twice as much as we could speak.''
Teacher Lisa Larsen, described by one of her boys as ``kind and sporty'', loves her boys-only class and has been its leader since its inception three years ago.
``I enjoy my class so much. There's nothing else I would rather do. I am very proud of my boys, very proud.''
The innovative boys class kicked off at Carlton School in 2009 for a raft of serious reasons.
In 2008 principal Paul Petersen was in Auckland. He had just been appointed as the new principal of Carlton School for 2009.
He was in constant email contact with deputy principal Gaye O'Connor discussing his new school and familiarising himself with the character of the school and its children.
During those discussions, the subject of how to improve boys' education came up, sparked in part by Ms Larsen.
She had recently attended a course called ``Seven Ways to Improve Boys' Education'' run by leading international educator for boys' education Joseph Dreissen.
In her report from the course, she wrote of her excitement about making a difference in the education of boys; differences like recognising that boys need to feel good about leadership and preferring a more positive and direct teaching style.
Mr Petersen said a 2003-04 report into antisocial behaviour _ usually by boys _ really emphasised the need for a class like Room 15.
``We don't call it the boys' class here, because people jump to the conclusion that it is the class for naughty boys ... which it isn't at all.''
The report said: ``More and more children from troubled, chaotic homes are bringing well-developed patterns of anti-social behaviour to school. ``Especially as these students get older they wreak havoc on schools. ``Their aggressive, disruptive and defiant behaviour wastes teaching time, disrupts the learning of all students, threatens safety, overwhelms teachers _ and ruins their own chances for successful schooling and a successful life.''
Both Mr Petersen and Ms O'Connor were in agreement that there was a group of boys within the school who needed to learn social and co-operative skills to manage themselves in the learning environment.
They proposed to the school board that in 2009 a group of Year 4 and 5 boys who had ongoing learning/behavioural issues that not only affected their own learning but that of their peers, should be in a separate class where the learning programme would cater for their specific needs.
The board approved and parents were also asked, and all were very keen for their boys to to be part of Room 15, the boys-only class.
Ms Larsen was appointed along with a permanent teacher's aide, and at the start of 2009 the class of boys was born.
It was the first of its kind in Wanganui and is only one of a few primary school boys' classes in New Zealand.
Their programmes include male role models from the community sharing their occupations, so that boys will open their minds and realise there is more to life than what they may see at home.
Last year Wanganui District Council member Jack Bullock visited the Room 15 boys and has become an ongoing mentor.
At 21 years of age, Mr Bullock was the youngest Wanganui district councillor, and Ms O'Connor said he was someone the boys could relate to.
``He comes from a gang family, and his background is similar to some of the boys in Room 15. He is a very real person to them,'' Ms O'Connor said.
Mr Bullock had shared his life story with the boys, including how he was diverted from the Hells Angels gang, which close family members were involved with.
``I was always looking for opportunities to get away from it, and when I heard about the youth council I decided to apply for it,'' Mr Bullock said.
He became a member of the youth council, then stood for the Wanganui District Council at the 2010 elections.
``If I hadn't got involved with the youth council I probably would be a patched-up gang member by now,'' Mr Bullock said.
He understood the issues many of Room 15's boys face as they are growing up and decided to mentor a small group of the boys and focus on their career dreams.
Ms Larsen also focuses her programme on:
More breaks in their learning ... a big burst of learning for 15 minutes then have a break for 3-5 minutes (run round the school, talk as much as they can, brain gym etc).
Getting senior boys to come and read to them. If they see seniors they respect enjoying reading , it will spark some interest in them.
To be given a sense of purpose for every piece of writing. It can't be just left in their books for no one else to see.
For these boys are kinetic learners, Mr Petersen said, learners who need a particular style of learning.
``Which doesn't involve sitting all day. They need to move around because there is a lot of pent-up energy with these learners.''
The class had proved hugely successful, with boys who were students to be very proud of, he said.
``They will leave here as well-mannered young boys with self-esteem, able to learn and really enjoy it.''
Last year the boys were asked to write letters to parents and caregivers giving their reasons why some boys should be encouraged to join the class.
Their reasons included:
``We are different in our class because we have no desks. We have big tables, cushions and a couch. This means we get to work anywhere we want.''
``It has helped me with my attitude towards learning and other people because we are always encouraged by the teachers to have a positive attitude. It has helped me with my behaviour and making the right choices.''
``We have the opportunity to do lots of work together. This helps us to be friends.''
``We do lots of PE and boys' stuff. We do PE in the morning so we can switch our brains on and wake us up.''
``I think it has helped me improve my work habits and helped with my behaviour.''
``It has helped me improve on my spelling, reading and writing, because I have more one-on-one time with the teachers.''
``Since I have been in this class, I have changed very quickly, thanks to all the people who thought of this idea.''
In three years this class has proved that these boys are smart, brainy and fun. ``They are an inspiration every day ... I love my class and seeing their progress,'' Ms Larsen says.
Both Mr Petersen and Ms O'Connor echo this and say talking about Room 15 is always a pleasure. ``We are proud, very proud.''-->-->-->
MANY of the boys reading in Room 15 are modern-day fans of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn stories, with a few small, dedicated Harry Potter types tucked in cosy corners.
This class is testament some primary school boys need to learn in a more energetic, adventurous and liberated way _
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.