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Tim Taylor is coming in 2020 – save the dates!

We’re delighted to let you know that Tim Taylor (author of Beginner’s Guide to Mantle of the Expert) will be visiting Aotearoa in July – August 2020, with a series of one-day professional development workshops in Mantle of the Expert around the country.

Tim will also be collaborating with Viv Aitken to offer a Winter School for experienced practitioners. This will be 17-19th July at Bayswater school in Auckland.

Anyone who has worked with Tim will tell you it’s a great experience: he’s an inspiring practitioner and a warm and encouraging mentor with an absolute wealth of knowledge and skills in Mantle of the Expert. Whether you are an absolute beginner or an experienced practitioner you will take away so much from his sessions.

Detailed information about both the winter school and the workshops will be circulated really soon – but here are the workshop dates so you can save them in your diary. Most schools are booking up their PLD now, so make sure you don’t miss out on this one! Costs to be confirmed, but will be around $150 per person for a full day including catered lunch.

NORTHLAND – Otaika Valley School, 22nd July

AUCKLAND – Bayswater School, 24th July

HAMILTON – Knighton School, 27th July

HAWKES BAY – venue tbc, 29th July

WELLINGTON – Island Bay school, 31st July

CHRISTCHURCH – Waitakiri school, 3rd August

For further information on the workshops or to express interest in the winter school please email mantleoftheexpertnz@gmail.com

These workshops are offered as not-for-profit events: any funds raised will be invested in future courses and professional development in New Zealand. Many thanks to the host schools for support.

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Drama from a picture book – Taniwha

Here’s the planning for a simple process drama based on Robyn Kahukiwa’s beautiful picture book Taniwha. This drama was shared at the Literacy conference and the TRCC course in October 2019, with participants coming up with some really thoughtful responses.

Treasures… process drama 2019Download

Robyn Kahukiwa’s gorgeous book has enormous potential for rich exploration across the arts and the short lesson offered here only skims the surface of the deeper meanings that could be explored through the text. However, I think it’s a good example of how effective process drama can be created fairly easily using a picture book as pretext.

Here also is the planning framework that was used to create the drama. This handout has been shared on this site before using a different book. It’s amazing how these simple steps can be used to create unique dramas from just about any picture book. Check it out and have a go at writing your own!

Creating drama from a picture book 2019Download
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Real Learning in Imagined worlds – Dramatic inquiry and literacy

The National Literacy conference was held last week at Rangi Ruru school in Christchurch with the theme of “Arts as a Bridge to Literacy”. As promised, here’s a PDF of slides from Viv’s keynote address with notes to help make sense of the visuals. There are also links you can click to further information.

Literacy keynote October 2019 PDF 2Download

Many many thanks to the fabulous teachers of Knighton Normal and Hillcrest Normal Schools in Hamilton who contributed clips for the video used during the presentation.

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Wellington Cluster meeting 21st October 2019

We’ve had some really buzzy cluster meetings in Wellington this year and this is set to continue with our next get together at Eastern Hutt School on Monday 21st October (from 4pm).

We’ll continue with our exploration of Mantle of the Expert planning and probably learn a few new drama conventions too. This is an informal opportunity to chat about dramatic inquiry, ask questions and meet others who are giving it a go in their classrooms.

Cluster groups are free of charge and everyone is welcome. If you can, bring a plate to contribute to afternoon tea (if that’s too hard, no worries – just turn up!) Whether you are an experienced practitioner or an interested beginner, this is an opportunity to join like-minded colleagues for an enjoyable experience of ako.

Please email Sue Fennell if you’re planning to attend:

sfennell@easternhutt.school.nz

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Another free teacher workshop courtesy of Auckland Theatre Company

In term four Auckland Theatre Company’s Mythmakers project is coming to Auckland and Whangarei with an interactive re-telling of the Icarus myth set between  contemporary New Zealand and Ancient Greece! Here’s the information about the performance. 

AND … Scroll down for your invitation to the free workshop (which is available to attend even if you are not hosting the performance)

Mythmakers introduces theatre to our youngest audiences. Mythmakers shows are short, high-quality plays inspired by the origin stories of Aotearoa, the Pacific and the world. Supported by FREE teacher and student workshops, teachers’ guide and student activity pack.

ICARUS

Written and directed by Benjamin Henson. Monday 21 Oct – Friday 1 Nov (excludes Labour day Monday 28 Oct). Suitable for Primary and Intermediate year levels 4-8

“My favourite part is when Icarus was flying in the high blue sky.” (student review)

Off we go to naughty camp to make us good kids – especially Icky who only wants to fly higher than anyone else, ever. And if he can’t do that, he’ll tell the story of someone who did – the amazing Icarus and his famous father Daedalus, the most notorious inventor in Ancient Greece! But as Icky will learn, even those that aim highest can fall. What will he do when his new-found friends try to take his story all the way to the end? Will Icky’s bad temper keep him locked in a labyrinth forever, or will he learn just like life, every myth has its bad bits? If he can swallow his pride Icky might just take the leap of his life and make it back to camp. Object animation, live music, comedy, and song bring this classic Greek myth alive for children aged 8+

Cost: $3:50 per student, discounts available for deciles 1&2 schools, contact us to find out more.

Suitability: Year Levels 4 – 8

Numbers: Mythmakers shows are designed for intimate audiences of up to 200 (max), seated on the floor. We can be at your school for a day and play multiple performances for smaller audiences if preferable. Contact us to discuss.

Auckland Dates: 

  • Week One: Monday 21 October – Friday 25 October
  •  Week Two: Monday 28 October – Friday 01 November (excluding labour day) 

Selling fast, limited dates available now. 

Northland (Whangarei Dates): 

  • Monday 04 November – Friday 08 November 

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WORKSHOP INVITATION

Tēnā Koutou

This is your invitation to a FREE teachers’ workshop on Auckland Theatre Company’s Mythmakers production of ICARUS by Benjamin Henson on Saturday 19th October, 1pm – 4pm

We’ve prepared a detailed teacher’s guide with ideas for:

  • Preparing students for the performance
  • Developing understandings about how the performance was created
  • Prompting reflection on the themes and messages of the story
  • Using the theatre experience as a starting point for further learning across the curriculum.

The workshop will be your opportunity to meet with other teachers and explore the ideas in the teacher’s guide. In particular we will look at how drama can be used back in the classroom with strategies such as group storytelling, teaching in role and simple drama conventions.

What you’ll learn will not only help you set up successful learning experiences related to ICARUS it’ll also give you access to a whole lot of innovative teaching strategies you can use in your programme in future.  

This practical, active session will be faciliated by Dr Viv Aitken. Viv is an experienced facilitator, researcher and education consultant who works in schools all round New Zealand supporting teachers to use drama in inquiry. Viv always ensures a safe, non-threatening environment where everyone takes away new ideas to try. Even if you think drama is ‘not your thing’ – especially  if you think so – this workshop is for you!

To enrol, please RSVP by Wednesday 16 October to: Mile Fane: mile@atc.co.nz 09 3090390×274

Numbers are limited, first in first served!

DATE: Saturday 19 August

Time; 1-4pm

VENUE: ATC Studios, Lower Ground Floor, Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, 487 Dominion      Road – entrance via the carpark on Brixton Road.

PARKING: Free! Right outside the building.

Afternoon tea provided

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Process drama – pied piper of Hamelin

This process drama plan based on the Pied Piper of Hamelin was originally written by the late Lyn Shillingford with some minor adaptions by myself. I haven’t taught it for years, but dug it out the other day after a teacher mentioned she wanted to explore the poem with her class. As I re-visited the plan, I rediscovered Lyn’s artistry in bringing the poem to life and giving the context a modern ‘feel’. The original author is no longer with us but gave me permission to distribute the plan to anyone who wanted it – so here you go… enjoy this gift from Lyn.

RATS – Pied piper process dramaDownload
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National Literacy Conference 2019

Have you heard about the 2019 National Literacy conference in Christchurch? The conference, which is being held Sept 29-Oct 2, has the very inspiring title of “The Arts as a bridge to Literacy” and the programme promises a rich feast of workshops and presentations from across the Arts.

I am privileged enough to be one of the keynote speakers along with Gavin Bishop, Steven Layne, Marcus Akuhata-Brown, Wendy Pye, Mary Chamberlain, Murray Gadd and Mal Keenan. A number of experienced practitioners from the Mantle of the Expert Aotearoa community will be presenting workshops. It looks like being a great event in a beautiful city.

https://nzla.org.nz/events/2019-conference-cla-the-arts-as-a-bridge-to-literacy/

Details of how to register can be found on the conference webpage. Early bird registrations have now been extended until 10th August.

Hope to see you there!

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Free workshop in Auckland

I’m delighted to pass on this invitation from Auckland Theatre Company for a FREE teachers’ workshop on Saturday 10th August. While primarily designed for teachers who are hosting a performance of MAHUIKA! the workshop will also feed those hungry for a bit of PLD on classroom drama. More details below:

Tēnā Koutou 
This is your invitation to a FREE teachers’ workshop hosted by Auckland Theatre Company on Saturday 10th August, 1pm – 4pm. The workshop is based around our forthcoming production of MAHUIKA!We want to help teachers and students get the most out of the performance so we’re trying something new … using classroom drama to teach about professional theatre! We’ve produced a teacher’s guide with a whole lot of suggested activities for the classroom including group storytelling, teaching in role and simple drama conventions. The workshop will cover:

  • Preparing students for performance
  • Developing understandings about how performance is created
  • Prompting reflection on the themes and messages of the story
  • Using the theatre experience as a starting point for further learning across the curriculum.

The workshop will not only help you set up successful learning experiences related to MAHUIKA!, it’ll also give you access to a whole lot of innovative teaching tools you can use in your programme in future. 

The practical, active session will be faciliated by Dr Viv Aitken. Viv is an experienced facilitator, researcher and education consultant who works in schools all round New Zealand supporting teachers to use drama in inquiry. Viv always ensures a safe, non-threatening environment where everyone takes away new ideas to try. Even if you think drama is ‘not your thing’ – especially  if you think so – this workshop is for you!

To enrol, please RSVP to Nicole nicole@atc.co.nz by Wednesday 7 August.

Numbers are limited, first in first served!

DATE / TIME : Saturday 10 August 1-4pm

VENUE: ATC Studios, Lower Ground Floor, Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, 487 Dominion Road – entrance via the carpark on Brixton Road.

PARKING: Free! Right outside the building.

Afternoon tea provided

Professional learning adventures in schools

2019 is a very exciting year for dramatic inquiry in Hamilton. Two primary schools, Knighton Normal and Hillcrest Normal have taken advantage of centrally funded PLD money from the Ministry to secure professional development for staff members in dramatic inquiry. It’s been great working with these schools and I wanted to share some of what we have been up to.

At Hillcrest, all staff at all levels of the school have taken up the challenge of using some kind of dramatic inquiry strategy in their teaching. In the junior school this has meant enhancing their play-based programme and thinking even more deeply about storytelling, socio-dramatic play and teacher in role. For example, I was recently part of a lovely session with the New Entrants as they offered advice to a young child (teacher in role) who was being teased about her home knitted jersey.

In the middle school the emphasis has been on process drama and drama for learning – using drama strategies and conventions to enhance lessons and explore picture books. I spent a wonderful session the other day with a class exploring the story of how kiwi sacrificed the power of flight for the good of the forest. Engagement was high as the children donned their imagined back packs and the teacher used a narrator’s voice and a range of drama conventions to entice them in to the fictional bush setting where their adventures would begin.

Meanwhile, the teachers of senior classes have been further expanding their existing understanding of Mantle of the Expert, with cross-curricular units lasting for a term based on a particular topic or big question. Examples have included building an interactive timeline of local history for a local museum, devising technological solutions for carrying tourist equipment up and down a sacred maunga and coming up with a plain-language resource for staff at a recycling centre to help them understand the science behind how different kinds of matter breaks down. Never a dull moment!

Meanwhile at Knighton Normal school the focus is on teaching New Zealand history and social studies. A group of ten teachers from different levels of the school are exploring together how dramatic inquiry can be used alongside Tamsin Hanly’s curriculum resource Critical Histories of Aotearoa. This valuable resource has been embraced school-wide including in Te Hihiri, the school’s partial immersion unit. Working with the resource gives us a shared focus for planning, which is super exciting. Staff are just so committed and I am relishing the sense of ako. It’s also exciting to work with staff from Te Hihiri who bring their deep knowledge of Te Ao Māori into the mix. In term one we developed a new process drama based around the Māori creation story and next term we will be looking at exploring significant events from New Zealand history, including the importance of framing for safety and respectful distance. This feels like significant work, since there is something of a shortage of resources for teachers who want to use drama to explore historical events.

The enthusiasm of staff in both these schools, and their willingness to try new things and take risks, makes it such a delight to work on these projects. And it’s thrilling to think of the new opportunities for learning that are opening up for these children as they venture into imagined worlds. We hear so many negative stories about education, it’s good to celebrate the neat things going on in classes like these!

And of course none of it would be possible without the support and resourcing provided by principals and senior management. My thanks to Gay, Marie, Stuart, Whakarongo and others who secure funding, organise relievers and carry out all the mahi that goes on in the background to make these things possible. Ngā mihi, ngā manaakitanga. It’s a privilege.

P.S. The framework we are using to guide our school-wide professional learning in Dramatic Inquiry is this one – shared in a previous post. If you’re thinking about what DI can look like across different school levels, you might find this useful too…

Fictional others: Expanding the possible through interactions with the fictional

In this article from NJ: The Drama Australia Journal Carrie Swanson talks about the use of ‘fictional others’ in a Mantle of the Expert teaching experience based on a famous maritime disaster, the sinking of the Wahine. Carrie explains the reason she included four significant ‘others’ from the imagined world in her teaching: the ship’s captain, an incompetent scientist, an uncompromising boss, and a family member who had lost relatives in the disaster. By interacting with these ‘fictional others’, children were introduced to a range of different perspectives, adopted different status positions, gained more empathy and insight and were motivated to strive for scientific accuracy as they carried out investigations to explore the reasons behind the sinking.

The journal is paywalled, so readers usually need to pay to access readings but the link below gives access to 50 free e-prints of the article. Thanks for sharing, Carrie!

https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/4MZUqHNfnxUYBGUswciF/full