– I need to keep moving, otherwise I can get a little restless, says the 13-year-old. Together with a group of students from Sellanrå school and adult helpers, he is in the process of completing a gap hut that he himself has helped to build. One day a week, pupils who struggle to maintain concentration throughout the school week are offered alternative teaching. Lately, it has been, among other things, building a gap hut. For Eilertsen, a day of practical work made it easier to get through the other school days. – Then I would have received a reward, so then I had to work well the other days, he says. Moldemarka’s friends help the students build the gapahuken. Photo: Roar Strøm / news Wanted to find a way to motivate The Education Act states that training must be adapted to the abilities and prerequisites of the individual student, apprentice, trainee certificate candidate and apprentice candidate. That is precisely what Sellanrå School has tried to achieve by offering alternative teaching. Principal at Sellanrå school, Torill Hjertvik Lange, thinks there is far too little practicality in the school today. Photo: Roar Strøm / news Principal at Sellanrå school, Torill Hjertvik Lange, explains that they got the idea to have a different school day because they noticed that several people were struggling with concentration. – They became wandering in the corridors, and we thought about what we could do to get these pupils involved and motivated for teaching. We therefore thought that this could be a good offer for this group, she says. – Don’t the students miss a lot of teaching? – No, they must write a log and take pictures, then you have Norwegian lessons. Then you have mathematics by building and carpentry. They can also have English lessons around the campfire when they have lunch, replies the headmaster. – They follow the same learning objectives as the rest of the class, she adds. Photo: Roar Strøm / news Easier to concentrate Lukas David Eilertsen has recently started secondary school, and is no longer involved in the weekly construction. But he is clear that he would like to be. – It was a lot of fun, I miss it, he says. Odal Pedersen Lundstrøm is screwing on the cladding on the open crouch. Photo: Roar Strøm / news Two of those who have taken over are Odal Pedersen Lundstrøm (12) and Elias Buvik Blikkaas (12). – It’s nice to have some other activities than just sitting at school. It is much easier to concentrate if you have been out in nature and got some fresh air, says Blikkaas. Lundstrøm, who is in the process of screwing on the very last plank of the gap, agrees: – It’s great fun. You get to learn to use tools and be out in nature. Long-term work required Robin Dale Oen at Dale Oen Acadamy is passionate about children and young people feeling mastery and belonging. – I think it’s nice to break up the school day when you can’t keep your concentration up, he says. But he explains that long-term work is required to bring about lasting change. – It is a good measure to build gaps to get them through school, but then a new school often comes with new challenges, he says. He is convinced that all teachers do the best they can for their students every day. – Then we may have to change and adapt the system, so that we get a lasting change in these girls and boys, he says. Want more practice in the school The headmaster at the school is very happy that they have the opportunity to offer pupils such alternative teaching. She says that her biggest dream is that all students can be offered such a day. – Many pupils think that everyday school life can become difficult, there is too little practicality in school today. I think it should be put in place, she says. Photo: Roar Strøm / news
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Lukas (13) struggled with concentration – then the school found a solution
