The Children!
In 2005, one class of thirty-three high school seniors in Germany were introduced to these principles, and given the opportunity to apply them for one semester in one class. At the end of their school year, the completion of 12 years of education, they begged for an answer to their burning question: "Why wasn't our entire learning experience like this?"
Why indeed...
The art to the left, and quotes below come from elementary school learners, the real experts in the BeLonging project. Incredibly, the finger paintings are what five-year olds painted when they were asked to paint the BeLonging 'game'. It is more than interesting considering that these children were never shown geometry. Note: To learn more about the application for education, go to the section 'People" and read what school superintendant, Dr. Alessio Morassut has to say!
"BeLonging is a most sti mulating game of assignments. I like it very much. It inspires the organization of our education and you might say gives us a new language as we become poets of school. You cannot imagine how our actions and attitudes extend far beyond our classrooms. Even my mother agrees.” Francesco, age 10
"Why does playing this game, BeLonging, make school and schoolwork fun?" Anna, age 9
"When I think of BeLonging for a while, I think of bright and dark colors, obsticles and surprises. In my picture the dark colors represent sad, mad and scared. The light colors represent happy, excited and joyful." Eli, age 7 [text is unedited, the spelling error is Eli's!]
“BeLonging makes a great difference for all the boys in my class. Since 2005 we have been involved in a new and positive way of being, at school and at life. In fact, we are learning to understand that we influence other boys who are not even in our class. Doing the tasks gives us enthusiasm, and when we feel we participate and contribute, we want to make sure to be responsible. Of course there are some difficult moments and some difficult tasks, but they show us a constructive comparison.” Alessio, age 10
“If you do not have a smile one day, then BeLonging guarantees there will be one for you at school! Every morning BeLonging serves me and helps me help my friends and teachers to have a happy day and a good experience at school.” Chiara, age 10
“I love the aspect of beauty that comes with being a ‘Possibility Kid’. I always try to do it perfect, but have learned that I can only do my best. Not everyone agrees with what I think is beautiful. I have become less vain because I know that beauty is more than what one person sees as beautiful. But I still like what is beautiful for me.” Anna, age 10
"I love being a 'Dolphin' and helping my friends when they have a problem. When I think about and do this job, I think of the water. For me it represents rain and sunshine, and makes a rainbow." Micah, age 7