Lesson with the 'trivselspiloters'

Maybe you puzzled after you've read the title above. What's the meaning of 'trivelspilote'?
I hadn't have a clue before either, but we had a lesson yesterday, it called Special needs, and I learnt there 'trivsel' means: makes sombody comfortable and 'trivselpiloter' is that person who can do that with the others through different tasks. For example: telling circle, which gives a democratic, creative atmosphere for everyone, who is in the circle and every person equally responsible the success of the circle. If somebody doesn't want to say something he/she can say: "pass" and later - if he/she wants - can add his/her opinion. The telling circle usually starts with a ritual and finishes with a game. When you can use the telling circle?:

• when something wrong with the atmosphere in the classroom
• helps the others and the teacher as well when one member of the class is sad
• parents meeting

We also had this position during the class. We started with introduced ourselves for each other and the three teachers, who organised this class. One of the teachers threw a ball to somebody, who had to tell about his/her name, and what he/she likes to do in his/her spare time. Finally everyone got the ball - this was the starting ritual.
After the introduction we had different types of games:

• who control the others? - One of the theachers went out from the classroom, and somebody had to show different movements - it was Noémi - and everybody had to do the same. When the teacher came back, she had to find out who control the others. This game helps to pick out the not very popular student.
  
• card game I. - everybody had to draw a card and then find our pair. After that we had to work in pairs and find something common in ourselves. My pair was Marlene and we had these similarities: 1. we live in the same place in Haderslev, 2. we like the orange colour, 3. both of us like pasta, 4. both of us have brother(s)/sister(s)...etc. This game helps that child, who haven't talk for ages.
• card game II. - we drew a card again to mixed the previous pairs. We had to tell for each other what we are good at these answers were repeated back by the other person. In this task my pair was Noémi and we tried to find common things we good at, such as: 1. decorate our home/room, 2. making handworks, 3. cooking, 4. look after children. This game brings the feelings to the surface about what we are good at. It's even better, if children make some drawings, because they can take them home.

Bullying is a big problem all over the world in schools, so the preventive work is very important. The 'trivselspiloters' 's job to take part this prevention. They have eight different subjects; each colour has a meaning:

• red: special sequences for children
• pink: stop bullying
• dark blue: taktil back massage
• blue: create the right atmosphere
• light blue: to play with patrons: mixing the children in different ages and let them play together
• green:telling circle
• yellow: "little play"; when you don't have contact with pupils, you play with them
• orange: to cope with conflicts

The above mentioned help to give opportunities to the diverstiy; for all kind of children.
We learnt about taktil back massage and we tried it as well. :) One of the teacher told a fairy tale about a troll family. We worked in pair: one of us have to draw the different events of the tale to the other's back, for instance: dripping rain, colours of the rainbow, climbing trolls...etc. During the massage the curtains were pulled and very relaxing music was on - I almost fell asleep...
It helps to make children calm and relaxed. It is also remarkable once a child touch an other one, won't bully him/her. There are different ways to do massage; what you choose, it depends on the class.
It is important to:

• have your own style
• change the stories all the time
• after the massage children can make draws - fantasy journey
• having / giving massage
  
• it is not allowed to touch the spine
  

We also learnt some facts about Danish comprehensive school and children, who suffered Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD.
Five percent of Danish pupils are hyperactiv, fifty percent of them because of genetic reason.
They have difficulties with:

• handing social relations
• reading/decoding situations and actions
• concentrated thinking
  
• understanding irony
• flexibility
• keeping focus and concentration

They also have impulsive behaviour and most of them highly intelligent, smart.
The aim for this class: to give the pupils

• structure and class climate, what they need
• predict school attendance
• peace and quiet learning situation
• good behaviour
• experience of success and recognation
• individual agreement with the pupils

Pedagogy:

• flexible
• form and content is adjusted to each pupil
• very structured time in school - routine
• very strong teacher government
• an appreciative approach
• positive reinforcement as a motivation - praise
• individual training in Danish and Math

All in all it was a really colourfull, relaxing and exciting lesson. It's a shame we won't have this class any more...