Students create ...
Dear friends of our little school!
After a creative break, here is a little insight into our latest project, which took place for the first time in this way: a mosaic project for the upper classes ...
Your Helga Shanti Fründt
... a mosaic!
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A new mosaic shines on the site! 🌞
We have already realized a number of mosaic works in recent years; but this one was created by the 6th and 7th graders!
In several weeks of project work - with several interruptions - the teenagers dedicated themselves to this activity, which required discipline, perseverance and precise and as well concentrated work.
They worked together with their respective teachers - the last two days even independently without my guidance, since I was absent due to an eye problem.
pupils laying a round mosaic
Welcome-Mosaic in the entrance area 🤴
The open entrance area of the large octagonal administration building - one eighth of the building - is used for exhibitions, meetings and events.
The tiled floor was worn-out through years of daily use and broken in a few places. So, we decided to carry out renovation and creative project in one.
The new mosaic - made possible by a special donation - connects the large round mosaic in front of the entrance with the interior in the center of the building. About half of the floor was preserved because it is still in acceptable condition.
Based on my rough draft (see above), part of the tiled floor has been removed.
Tiles served as mosaic material; some came from our "depot", some were purchased and we also received a substantial donation of materials.
The children smashed the tiles, sorted them by color and laid the shards on the floor.
The work was supported and accompanied by a bricklayer and our school premises employees.
students choosing, smashing and sorting tiles
A monument for eternity ♎
Class 7 was busy with laying the mosaic in the morning and class 6 in the afternoon. It was creative and joyful work and at times also a challenge for the young people whose perseverance was required.
But they decided to stick with it - during the project week (February 28th - March 4th) they could have taken part in it alternatively.
It was certainly motivating that the result of this work is "for eternity" - in contrast to many project week results, which are then destroyed ("letting go" and "not clinging" can be learned by this - like Tibetan monks lay a sand mandala and after weeks blur work again).
50 years later, the young artists will be able to present the mosaic to their grandchildren - together with their favorite
tile-pieces immortalized there ...
Advantages of mosaic work
- Recycling (make new from old)
- Teamwork in manufacturing
- Unity from diversity (different tile pieces form a unit)
- Creative design of your own living space
the mosaic-activists
It is something special to have realized a mosaic of this size (approx. 35 m²) in project work -
- a contribution to practical learning and the acquisition of life skills. The students are very proud of such an achievement at the end of their career at our school.
And for me it was a very positive experience, a confirmation of my vision that children and young people can do far more than they are often given credit for. Incidentally, in Great Britain there is a professional project by the mosaic artist Paul Siggins, who creates mosaics with school children.
We have once again proven that practiced creativity is not only fun and enjoyable, but can also make an important contribution to improving the environment and quality of life.
With warm regards from India,
Your Helga Shanti Fründt
Contact
Shanti Ananda School Website
Shanti Ananda School on Facebook
Donation Accounts
FCRA account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch
40043801956
IFSC: SBIN0000691
General Account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
Andhra Bank, Mudigubba Branch
Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India
185410100193769
IFSC: UBIN0818542
German Donation Account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
Anahata Stiftung, Munich, Bank für Sozialwirtschaft
BLZ: 700 205 00
IBAN: DE72700205003751241124
BIC: BFSWDE33MUE