National Literacy Conference 2019

By Viv AitkenJuly 30, 2019July 30, 2019 Conferences & Symposia, News, Workshops / Courses / PD Leave a comment

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…

Free workshop in Auckland

By Viv AitkenJuly 30, 2019July 30, 2019 News, Workshops / Courses / PD Leave a comment

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…

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,…

Conferences & courses 2019

By Viv AitkenMarch 7, 2019March 7, 2019 Conferences & Symposia, News, Workshops / Courses / PD Leave a comment

Here’s a heads up about some events coming up in 2019 that will be of interest to folk with a passion for dramatic inquiry. First, the Drama New Zealand conference, which is being held in Christchurch from 12th – 14th April. Website for registration is here schedule is here with information about the workshops and…

Dramatic Inquiry framework

By Viv AitkenOctober 11, 2018February 11, 2020 Articles & books, News, Planning tools, Teaching tips, Workshops / Courses / PD Leave a comment

Here’s something I’ve been working on for some time with input from teachers and colleagues in NZ and beyond. It’s a work in progress that I’m updating and improving as more people contribute their ideas … I’d love to get your thoughts, suggestions and refinements and I can add your name to the long list…

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…

Winter school

By Viv AitkenJuly 22, 2018July 22, 2018 News, Workshops / Courses / PD 1 Comment

The first ever winter school (designed for teachers in Aotearoa with some experience in Mantle of the Expert) was held in Hamilton on 9th-10th July. It was well attended and very well received. Twenty-four teachers from all over the country spent two days with Tim Taylor, whose name will be familiar as the author of…

Cluster group and Winter school

By Viv AitkenMay 8, 2018May 8, 2018 Cluster meetings, News, Workshops / Courses / PD Leave a comment

Here’s some information about two professional development opportunities coming up in the Waikato & Bay of Plenty. The first is an informal get together suitable for beginners and those looking for planning ideas and support. The other is a full weekend of professional development for more advanced practitioners, with the amazing Tim Taylor from the…

One participant’s review of the 2018 summer school

By Viv AitkenMarch 8, 2018May 14, 2018 Mantle in the Media, News, Workshops / Courses / PD Leave a comment

Some reflections on the recent Masters summer school from Annette Thomson – thanks Annette! This report was originally published in the Drama NZ newsletter. For more info on Drama NZ visit www.drama.org.nz The link to Hundred.org mentioned in the article is here https://hundred.org/en/innovations/mantle-of-the-expert

Mantle of the Expert introductory workshop in Auckland

By Viv AitkenAugust 10, 2017August 10, 2017 News, Workshops / Courses / PD Leave a comment

After requests for a workshop in the Auckland region, the IPL is running this ‘Introduction to Mantle of the Expert’ workshop on 12th October in West Auckland. If you are new to the approach and keen to learn more – especially if you are considering enrolling for the January summer school at University of Waikato…