Fidgety students are nothing new, but an elementary school in St. Lazare has found a unique way to keep them focused: letting them play.
Dubbed Club Energy, antsy students at Forest Hill Senior Elementary who feel they need a break can ask permission to leave the class. Given a pass and a 10-minute timer, they can go to one of 10 stations around the facility where they can pedal on stationary bikes, play some floor hockey or other games and then return to class ready to learn.
The program has been in place for three years and students and teachers say it has paid off.
“It helps us think and concentrate,” said one student.
It’s just one way that the school is trying to create a different learning environment. Other initiatives include placing desks outside classrooms so students can complete assignments with no distractions.
Some classes have begun implementing a method dubbed universal design for learning in which traditional desks and chairs have been replaced with cushioned milk crates and bouncy balls. Teacher Jennifer Murray said the different environment maximizes learning.
“They’re actually working. They’re more focused, they are more excited to get to it,” she said. “They’re working on their own more often.”
Teachers said the new techniques are keeping students from acting out.
“There’s a lot more independence and trust,” said Murray. “There’s less behavioral problems.”
Teacher Angela Davidson said the new approach to teaching lets students think outside the box.
“It lets kids be creative, innovative, discover things and explore,” she said. “(They can take) a little more initiative in their learning and taking things they learned in class and applying it in a different way.”
The projects have been mostly funded by the Home and School Association and Principal Sylvie Monette said she thinks the new way of doing things is here to stay.
“I’m very proud of the school,” she said. “I think it made a big difference for the students.”
