starting term 1

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Term one goals..

I have almost finished a Masters Summer School paper - Drama as Pedagogy - The Mantle of the Expert.
I came across this paper after googling to find out who Dr Viv Aitken was.  I'd had great phone calls with her - she was a 'critical friend' assigned to support me with my Grass Roots Initiative inquiry and report.  I came across her website and was intrigued.

I still have much info from the past few weeks swirling around my brain and needing time to settle - and also a planning assignment to finish by Friday.  But what I have learned will impact my teaching greatly.

In term one I have set some goals for myself to find out more about process drama (see some benefits here) and using some drama conventions in the classroom. I will try using lessons such as Viv's one here and also explore the resource 'Playing our Stories'.  These will be 'preparatory activities' for teaching a full Mantle of the Expert in term 2.  I will also have a go at a 'mini-Mantle' maybe around the theme of welcoming visitors to our school as this will help prepare learners for Kaitiaki themed Mantle in term 2 (which I'm currently planning for my assignment).

A goal for myself is to make use of videoing my practise so I can reflect on how I am teaching and also engagement of learners.

We're only four days into the term.  It's been interesting getting to know the class and notice what different students are comfortable and safe doing and what causes them to withdraw.



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