Teaching Systems Thinking to Kids
The Billibonk and Frankl book series is a collection of captivating jungle-based fables that showcase principles of systems thinking through the experiences of various animal characters. The stories are engaging and relatable to both children and adults, as they demonstrate how different species in the jungle learn to collaborate and solve problems together. The Billibonk and Frankl stories aim to help children see systems and interdependencies in the world around them.
The Billibonk and Frankl series is a great resource for learning about systems thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration in a fun and relatable way.
Billibonk and the Thorn Patch
Billibonk and the Bugs
The Floods of Knith
The Dark Jungle
Billibonk and the Thorn Patch
Billibonk and the Thorn Patch is a compelling story that is bound to appeal to readers of all ages. In this engaging fable, Billibonk, the elephant, and his friends discover the interdependent nature of life in the jungle of Knith. Together, the elephants, mice, and monkeys hone their problem-solving skills and–after much adventure (and a few misunderstandings!)–learn the value of mutual respect and thinking systemically. No fable is complete without a moral…and this fable has many. Key lessons featured in the story include:
- Understanding mutual interdependencies
- Focusing on the long-term view
- Getting to the root of the problem
- Recognizing our own role in difficult situations
Join Billibonk and the rest of the Knith gang in their journey of discovery–but beware what may be lurking in the thorn patch!
This is the first book in the Billibonk and Frankl series.
These posters explain key systems thinking concepts from the book Billibonk and the Thorn Patch. These can be downloaded and printed for use in a classroom or with your children.
VIDEOS
These videos are designed to be a useful resource for parents and teachers seeking to draw lessons and systems thinking concepts from Billibonk and the Thorn Patch. Narrated by Philip Ramsey, the book’s author, the videos explain the main lessons and insights throughout the book.
Summary of Key Concepts
Explanation of Main Systems Thinking Concepts
Billibonk and the Bugs
Billibonk and the Bugs is a captivating story about animals in a jungle that is bound to engage readers of all ages. Billibonk, the elephant, and Frankl, his curious mouse mentor, team up and follow the looping trail of clues that lead to the heart of the mystery in the delightfully instructive fable. Key lessons featured in the story include:
- Understanding mutual interdependencies –
- Focusing on the long-term view
- Getting to the root of the problem
- Recognizing our own role in difficult situations.
Join Billibonk and the rest of the Knith gang in their journey of discovery–but beware of the bugs!
This is the second book in the Billibonk and Frankl series.
For a long, long time, children and adults alike have learned nature’s principles through stories. Phil Ramsey plies the ancient storyteller’s craft beautifully, showing us that systems thinking really is for all ages.
These posters explain key systems thinking concepts from the book Billibonk and the Bugs. These can be downloaded and printed for use in a classroom or with your children.
VIDEOS
These videos are designed to be a useful resource for parents and teachers seeking to draw lessons and systems thinking concepts from Billibonk and the Bugs. Narrated by Philip Ramsey, the book’s author, the videos explain the main lessons and insights throughout the book.
Summary of Key Concepts
Explanation of Main Systems Thinking Concepts
The Floods of Knith
A jungle-based fable with animal characters, incorporating principles of systems thinking. Billibonk, the elephant, and Frankl, the mouse, try to find out why the river is flooding. They discover that conflict between herons and hippos is upsetting the way a lagoon works. Billibonk and Frankl have to find a way to resolve the conflict and have herons and hippos work together.
This is the third book in the Billibonk and Frankl series.
These posters explain key systems thinking concepts throughout the book. They can be printed for use in classrooms or with your children.
I’m thinking of ways to bring it into my teaching about professional learning and dealing with change…
Thanks again for the fascinating and thought-provoking book.
VIDEOS
These videos are designed to be a useful resource for parents and teachers seeking to draw lessons and systems thinking concepts from The Floods of Knith. Narrated by Philip Ramsey, the book’s author, the videos explain the main lessons and insights throughout the book.
Summary of Key Concepts
Explanation of Main Systems Thinking Concepts
The Dark Jungle
The Dark Jungle is a jungle-based fable with animal characters, incorporating principles of systems thinking. Billibonk, the elephant, works with two mice, Frankl and Tori, to find why the jungle is getting darker. They discover that chimpanzees in the jungle have changed their behaviour. The bad behaviour of young chimps, including bullying, has torn the community apart. Billibonk, Frankl, and Tori have to find a way to help the chimps rebuild their community.
This is the fourth book in the Billibonk and Frankl series.
These posters explain key systems thinking concepts from the book The Dark Jungle. These can be downloaded and printed for use in a classroom or with your children.
VIDEOS
These videos are designed to be a useful resource for parents and teachers seeking to draw lessons and systems thinking concepts from The Dark Jungle. Narrated by Philip Ramsey, the book’s author, the videos explain the main lessons and insights throughout the book.
Summary of Key Concepts
Explanation of Main Systems Thinking Concepts
About the Author
Dr. Phil Ramsey is a Senior lecturer at Massey University in New Zealand, where he teaches Organizational Learning, Leadership, and Teamwork. He also works as a Director of Incite Learning, a consulting company that mainly works with schools, helping school leaders apply Organizational Learning concepts to solve tough problems.
Teaching & Learning Resources
Our Pre-College Education Special Interest Group (SIG) has a variety of resources that are useful for teachers and parents interested in incorporating systems thinking concepts into the classroom or into their parenting lessons.
- Webinars
- Lesson plans
- Models to use in classes
- Examples of systems thinking and System Dynamics work in K-12 Education
- And many more resources!
