The document discusses a new subject called "Subject Happiness" being trialed in some German schools. It describes how a group of German students at KEVICC have been meeting weekly since December 2011 to learn about their own concept of happiness and the subject curriculum in Germany. The students get involved in various creative projects related to topics like "Body in Motion" using English and German sources. They will have a videoconference with the subject's initiator and communicate virtually with German students familiar with the approach. The expert Ernst Fritz-Schubert, advocate for the new approach, believes focusing too much on children's weaknesses makes them unhappy and demotivated. The new subject aims to teach children to build their strengths and improve weaknesses so they

1. “We are what we think. All that we are
arises with our thoughts. With our
thoughts, we make the world.”
Hindu Prince Siddharta Gautama, the founder
of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C. (Buddha)

2. GERMAN FLA- PROJECT 2012
‘‘SUBJECT HAPPINESS- FOR GERMAN STUDENTS
ONLY!?’’
How it all began…

3. Today‘s homework: Simply ‘‘Subject Happiness‘‘-
being happy!
for German
- How a new subject changed
German schools
students only?
FACT:
… and what about YOU?
students are the least happy at
…and what about YOU? the dentist‘s - and at school
SOLUTION: ``Subject Happiness``
PROJECT: Sixth former and IB student? What are you waiting for?  learn life skills with fun
 we meet in classroom G Kennicott on 13 December 2011 during  develop creativity while
lunch time break for further information solving tasks
 take over responsibility
 learn more about it and get involved in a psychological, school
 win people over
developmental, cultural and linguistic project in whatever way you  resolve conflicts
like (arts, media, sports, language, presentations …) discover and experience
 in the long run we might organise a discussion with experts and interests and talents
 develop health
an exchange with German students consciousness …
BENEFITS: combine the obligatory with fun CONTACT PERSONS:
(CAS suitable), meet the initiator himself, Ms Anna Löffler-Gutmann (German FLA &
FLA Ambassador, Redworth library)
experience ``subject happiness`` in a German Mr Troake (Psychology, Kennicott room G)
classroom …
LEARN TO BE HAPPY!!! 

4. GERMAN FLA- PROJECT 2012
‘‘SUBJECT HAPPINESS- FOR GERMAN STUDENTS
ONLY!?’’
What we made of it…

5. Today‘s homework: ‘‘Subject Happiness‘‘- for
Simply being happy!
German students only?
- How a new subject changed
German schools at KEVICC
…and us !?!
 Very enthusiastic and committed year 12 IB students have been BENEFITS: combine the
meeting during lunch break once a week since December 2011 to obligatory with fun (CAS
suitable), talk to the
learn both about their own idea of happiness and the subject
initiator himself,
curriculum in Germany. experience ``subject
happiness``, virtual
 Not only do they get involved in psychological, school exchange with German
developmental, cultural and linguistic projects but also they create students …
and present their own projects matched with the curricular units, e.g.
‘‘Body in motion‘‘, in various creative ways (arts, media, sports, Learn more about
literature etc.) while using English/German literary sources. yourself and
BE HAPPY!!! 
 Also, we will hold a videoconference with the subject‘s initiator in
April/May 2012 and we have our own closed forum online to have a
virtual exchange with German students who are familiar with the
subject and the methods we have tested ourselves.

6. GERMAN FLA- PROJECT 2012
‘‘SUBJECT HAPPINESS- FOR GERMAN STUDENTS
ONLY!?’’
Experiencing ‘’Subject Happiness’’…

7. - Methods : ‘‘Happiness in action‘‘
- Discussion & Evaluation
- Virtual communication &
Videoconference ...

8. - Methods : ‘‘Happiness in action‘‘
- Discussion & Evaluation
- Virtual communication &
Videoconference ...
JoHari-Window
ME
Known Unknown
Known Public person Blind spot
(Öffentliche (Blinder Fleck)
OTHERS
Person)
Unknown My secret Unconscious
(Mein knowledge
Geheimnis) (Unbewusstes
Wissen)
(Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham, 1955; Fritz-Schubert Institute, Heidelberg)

9. My Biography
Cornwall +++ Hard work -+, degree
Vienna +++ + Project ‚‘Subject
Happiness‘‘ ? Counselling
in educational
New Work experience and
London +++ psychology
town, new improving language skills:
place, England
Hard New - Hard to find
work, friends, new Studying in Munich internship
+ family, life + A-Levels places … …???
friends ? Where and what
Elementary/ exactly do I want to
study?
primary school
School Exchange to Upminster: Vicky , friend for a lifetime
Birth NOW Future???

10. GERMAN FLA- PROJECT 2012
‘‘SUBJECT HAPPINESS- FOR GERMAN STUDENTS
ONLY!?’’
What we think about it…

11. FLA- PROJECT 2012 ‘‘SUBJECT HAPPINESS- FOR GERMAN STUDENTS ONLY!?‘‘
ANNA LÖFFLER-GUTMANN 23. Januar 2012
Reflection and Discussion I (e.g. Enjoying life)
How did you feel yourself while testing the methods?
Which methods can you remember and which one is your favourite so far and why?
What did you learn about yourself?
Do you think these methods and their results are useful in your daily life and can the
methods contribute to a more enjoyable life?
Preparation for international exchange
(psychological, linguistic, cultural & schooldevelopmental aspect)
What would you like to ask the initiator about this concept of the first lessons of ‘’subject
happiness’’? (positive/negative criticism etc.)
What would you like to know from the students in Germany? What could you talk about
against this background and your personal experience?

12. - Methods : ‘‘Happiness in action‘‘
- Discussion & Evaluation
- Virtual communication &
Videoconference ...

13. GERMAN FLA- PROJECT 2012
‘‘SUBJECT HAPPINESS- FOR GERMAN STUDENTS
ONLY!?’’
What do YOU think about it…

14. - Methods : ‘‘Happiness in action‘‘
- Discussion & Evaluation
- Virtual communication &
Videoconference ...

15. GERMAN FLA- PROJECT 2012
‘‘SUBJECT HAPPINESS- FOR GERMAN STUDENTS
ONLY!?’’
What the expert says...

16. ‘‘Subject Happiuess- for
German students only!?‘‘
‘’Never before have there been as many problematic children as we see today. Our children
are said to be hyperactive, aggressive, striving to become top models or superstars or they
are hiding under their mother’s apron strings. But are we really surrounded by small tyrants
and anxious people who stay in the family home forever?
No, states Ernst Fritz-Schubert. We are far too focused on their supposed problems fearing
that they might fail in today’s meritocracy. But if one only holds their weaknesses against
them they will become unhappy and demotivated. Fritz-Schubert advocates for a radical
change in thinking and therefore offers a new pedagogical approach: the happiness of our
children must have priority. Whoever knows a lot about themselves, who learns to build
their strengths and to work to improve their weaknesses will learn to be happy. Even in
difficult situations in life you would be crisis-proof.’’
Happiness can be learned- what gives children life’s strength
Glück kann man lernen-Was Kinder stark fürs Leben macht
(Ernst Fritz-Schubert, Berlin 2010)