Choice Theory in New Zealand

In this classroom the teacher Norah Jennings is working with a small group of learners in Year 6 discussing the Basic Needs. Other students are working independently. 

In January and February 2011 Bob Sullo toured New Zealand to speak with various groups about Choice Theory.  Bob meets with Irene Ogden, Principal of Henderson North School after the Auckland workshop. Bob is keen to return in early 2012 for another tour.  If you are interested in having Bob work with your staff please contact Bette Blance through the WGI-NZ website .

On my first visit to Koraunui School in Stokes Valley I was greeted with this picture on the side of a building for all to see. The children in the school had contributed the painting of these colourful connecting habits.As I walked around the school there was evidence they were being used.

When Judith Brown completed a Basic Week in 2004 she worked with her class with the ideas of a quality classoom.  The students learned about Dr Glasser and his theory.  In a piece of writing they mounted an argument for the Glasser classroom. The following are comments from some of these pieces of writing. We have a Glasser classroom.  This means that we improve in our work.  In my learning I have moved up a lot.  I am proud of what I have done for the last year. I think that we should have Glasser in our classroom.  Firstly because we'll have freedom of choice.  Being able to choose between some things makes learning more enjoyable.   In this class I get along with most of my friends because they don't make fun of people on purpose. I feel our classroom has most of the five basic needs, which means we have everything I think our class has a lot of self discipline and caring in our work and we pay attention to all who are speaking and tr...

Judith Brown attended the Bob Sullo workshops at Peachgrove Intermediate School.

On my last trip to Wilford School I was treated to a quick trip around the classrooms to see what was happening.  To enact the values and the vision, the school has two areas of focus on  Building Learning Power and Choice Theory which are taught throughout the year.  Building Learning Powe r links with Choice Theory and teaches students the competencies or dispositions they need to function successfully in the world. It forms out of  the Learning Culture . The  Inquiry approach is used to teach in a way which is child centred.  The school has three themes a year. The first theme is Systems . Students are studying eco-systems, Marae systems and local council systems. Choice Theory and Building Learning Power are the scaffolding that supports teaching and learning in the school. In every classroom I visited  there was evidence of the Inquiry , Learning Power , Choice Theory or the ideas that Bob Sullo had presented. Photo One:  Liam ...