This new book may be of interest. To be launched at the Drama New Zealand Te Kore Conference on Saturday 27th April.

Published by NZCER, Connecting Curriculum, Linking Learning by Fraser, Aitken and Whyte is a collection of case studies describing Arts-based integration in primary schools. There is a strong emphasis on Mantle of the Expert – as used by teachers new to the approach. There is also a chapter introducing Mantle of the Expert and describing how the core elements of fiction, company, client, commission etc work together to support learning.

 

Greetings! A friendly reminder of two things: Thursday 11th April is our next cluster meeting – 4.30 pm at Hillcrest Normal School. All most welcome… The focus will be on use of Heathcote’s role conventions…. Also a reminder that if you have not already done so, now is the time to get your registration in for Te Kore – the Drama NZ national conference, 26-28 April at University of Waikato. The conference is three days of fantastic presentations and workshops on drama including a number specifically related to Mantle of the Expert. Process drama expert Pam Bowell is one of the keynotes. It’s a great opportunity and very reasonably priced – with special deals for students and day registrations also available  Click here to download registration form

* A reminder that applications for the $500  scholarships to attend TE KORE – the Drama NZ conference close on 31st March.*  Two scholarships are available, one for a beginner teacher and one for a teacher from a rural school. Check out details at www.drama.org.nz

Conference is looking good – with a range of papers and presentations of particular interest to Mantle practitioners, including reports on MOTE projects at primary and secondary school, a EOTC project working with the Department of Conservation, Masters and PhD level research into MOTE and process drama.  Our keynote presenters are amazing – Waimihi Hotere is a local Maori theatre maker and advocate, Pam Bowell is an experienced process drama practitioner. Both will be running workshops as well as giving their keynote addresses. And we are also hoping to include a skype chat live with Luke Abbott from www.mantleoftheexpert.com. How could you miss it!

Registration is $385 including conference dinner. Amazing value for a 3 day event.

Click here to Download conference registration form

te kore banner

 

 

Quite a few people have inquired when the next Masters summer school in Mantle of the Expert will be offered at Waikato University, and the reply has always been “2015”. However, there has been a change of plan and ALED 515 will now be offered this NEXT summer. Exact details are still being finalised but if you are someone who has been holding out to do this course in Hamilton, then put these dates in your diary for 2014. Oncampus intensive 20-24 Jan, online 3-13 Feb, followup weekend 15-16 Feb.  Will keep you posted…

 

A thought provoking article here – not directly related to drama or Mantle of the Expert, but making an excellent case for  the cool control of empathy to allow us to reason…. just what we do in our teaching when we introduce “frame distance”…

Click here for link

Hi folks

Our next cluster meeting will be at Hillcrest Normal School, Cambridge Road, Hamilton at 4.30 on Thursday 11th April.

Haere mai – all welcome.  We will apply our collective minds to planning with anyone who wishes to bring ideas for their next MOTE adventure. We will also take a look at ways to use Heathcote’s role conventions.

These meetings are always a worthwhile and energizing opportunity to gather with other interested teachers and share ideas.Please bring a plate of something to contribute to the afternoon tea. Look forward to seeing you there.

 

 

Here’s a nice little idea….  A teacher in Blackpool, UK created this “hook” for a mantle of the expert exploration with year two children using a simple video with voice over on You Tube. Something you could try too?

Click here to view 

Not sure I’m quite ready for the teacher-less classroom, but there are some exciting ideas in this TED talk that remind us how much children are capable of if they are motivated to learn through inquiry.

The fundamental statement that “We need to look at learning as the process of self-organisation” is one that resonantes very well with Mantle…. don’t you think?

Click here for link

Here’s a real treat for you. Remmber Rebekah Whyte’s year 1-2 planning for ‘Flicker the Penguin” – a mantle of the expert response to the Rena Oil Spill? This was loaded on the site about a month ago…. Well now we get the movie!

Rebekah and her children created this lovely documentary about Flicker’s journey, which went on to win first prize in the MADE awards, 2012. Congratulations to all!

Please note – The link below will send you to an unlisted You Tube site (it is only viewable by those from this link). Thanks to parents and children for their permission to share this.

CLICK HERE to link to film

 

Hi to all Bay of Plenty MOTE enthusiasts – and interested others willing to travel…

Our next Cluster Meeting (‘Planning Meeting’) which Viv will be attending (and running!!) will be held at Tahatai Coast School on Friday 8th February 2013 from 4.30pm for a 5pm start. We hope to hear from those who tried their first MOTE teaching last term, and support others who wish to plan for the term ahead.

Please bring any ideas and plans your are working on – and some nibbles to share –

Social drinks at Rain Bar afterwards!

Looking forward to catching up with everyone.

Cheers

Jon.