Process drama to explore wellbeing / worries

By Viv AitkenMay 1, 2019May 1, 2019 Classroom examples - Primary, News Leave a comment

This process drama was written by Judy Norton (primary rep for Drama NZ) and workshopped at the Drama New Zealand conference in 2019. The plan is usually only available to paid up Drama New Zealand members but Judy has kindly given permission for it to be shared here – thanks Judy! The drama is based…

Slides from primary teacher’s conference 2019

By Viv AitkenApril 22, 2019April 22, 2019 Classroom examples - Primary, Conferences & Symposia, News, Workshops / Courses / PD Leave a comment

On Monday 15th April, Renee Downey and Viv Aitken had the pleasure of presenting a workshop at the primary teacher’s conference in Wellington. We began by offering a taste of a Mantle of the Expert experience. And to keep things simple, we chose the first Mantle of the Expert Renee ever taught, four years ago,…

TLIF inquiry finds enhanced outcomes for writing

By Viv AitkenJanuary 21, 2019January 21, 2019 Classroom examples - Primary, News, Projects Leave a comment

In 2016-17 A team of teachers at Otaika Valley school in Northland, lead by project leader Renee Downey conducted a really exciting TLIF funded inquiry exploring the use of dramatic inquiry to enhance writing outcomes for their students – including the high number of Māori learners in the school. Professional learning in drama and mantle…

Teaching Mantle of the Expert in an Icelandic Primary School – Part 2

By Viv AitkenDecember 10, 2018December 10, 2018 Blogs, Classroom examples - Primary, News Leave a comment

Here’s the second of three conversations with Hākon Saeberg from Iceland who has been talking about his experiences teaching Mantle of the Expert with year 4 students. If you missed the first part, it can be seen here. When Hākon and I reconnected, he had just embarked on the Mantle and was three days in. He had…

Planning for Mantle of the Expert in an Icelandic primary school – part 1

By Viv AitkenOctober 11, 2018December 10, 2018 Blogs, Classroom examples - Primary, News, Teaching tips Leave a comment

I’ve been having some really enjoyable conversations with Hākon Saeberg who teaches year 4 students in Iceland. Hākon has been using Mantle of the Expert for the last few years and recently completed his Masters on the approach. You are invited to listen in as we nut out the planning for his next adventure which will…

Mantle of the Expert and process drama planning based on NZ historical events

By Viv AitkenAugust 31, 2018August 31, 2018 Classroom examples - Primary, Classroom examples - Secondary, Classroom examples - Tertiary & community, News Leave a comment

In a previous post, I promised to gather and share Mantle of the Expert plans based on New Zealand historical events. Thanks to those who got in touch with suggestions. I know there are many other examples out there, so please let me know if you can recommend a published resource or if have a plan…

Tim Taylor’s planning for Florence Nightingale Mantle

By Viv AitkenAugust 10, 2018August 10, 2018 Classroom examples - Primary, News, Workshops / Courses / PD Leave a comment

Here is the powerful Mantle of the Expert plan Tim Taylor introduced us to at winter school in July 2018. Thanks so much Tim for writing up the notes and your generosity in making them available for all. The planning is based on the work of Florence Nightingale and her team of nurses at Scutari…

Drama and maths with new entrants

By Viv AitkenOctober 8, 2017November 6, 2018 Classroom examples - Primary, News, Teaching tips, Videos and podcasts Leave a comment

This video from D4LC (Drama for learning and creativity – a UK-based initiative by Patrice Baldwin) shows classroom teacher Terri English using teacher-in-role to teach maths with her class of new entrants. While not a full-blown mantle, the video provides a really useful illustration of ‘mantle-esque’ aspects of drama (taking a low status role and…

Drama in the literacy classroom

By Viv AitkenSeptember 26, 2017September 26, 2017 Classroom examples - Primary, News, Videos and podcasts Leave a comment

This video from the UK-based ‘Teachers TV’ channel on You Tube introduces a simple but effective process drama based on a sophisticated picture book. The video shows teacher in role, writing in role and various drama conventions in use. I love how the video moves between a classroom example, the enthusiastic insights offered by the…

Process drama from picture books

By Viv AitkenMarch 11, 2017March 13, 2018 Classroom examples - Intermediate, Classroom examples - Primary, News, Teaching tips, Workshops / Courses / PD Leave a comment

Process drama is a great way to bring stories to life in the classroom – and to become familiar with the conventions and strategies used in Mantle of the Expert. Picture books provide a wonderful starting point for planning, as they provide many of the ‘raw ingredients’ for successful drama. In this post I…