Mantle in Germany:
Staatliches Schulamt in Augsburg
This project was led by Heike Mengele with a multilingual transition class, Years 5-7, at Mittelschule Herrenbach, Augsburg, Germany.
For more information about the school, go to the website here
Class 16 students of a multilingual transition class, Year 5-7 ; + 8 students of a Year 5 class in a middle school
Curriculum General learning targets: Intercultural learning, self- competences, social learning, creative thinking. GSL / German: Speaking practice, using structures while authentically communicating; writing dialogues and scripts, acting out dialogues (scenic play)
An Arts Education Organisation
Teacher in role as a client (Frau Hut) who runs an agency called 'Sad Children's Aid.' She describes the situation of two sad children. The students start an inquiry, brainstorming ways to help and encourage these children. They come up with the idea to create stories around invented superheroes.
The class form 4 teams and make plans how to create the superheroes and their stories. The teams are given some training in different performance genres: rap; ‘stocking’ puppet theatre; drama/play; acrobatics /circus. (Training provided by university students in role as ‘experts.’)
Introducing the 'commission' and the 'client'
The teacher in role (Frau Hut) hears the plans and commissions the teams to produce the superheroes characters.
Fulfilling the 'commission'
Over the next 12 weeks, the teams prepare a 'showcase' to present their superhero characters. Frau Hut sometimes visits the expert groups while they are working or she asks to be informed about the progress via e-mail.
The final outcome is an evening of music, play and entertainment. The different realisations of the 'superheroes-stories' are presented to an audience and recorded on video to be sent to the agency.
Here is a short video (in German) about the project
Click here to find out about another Mantle project at the school
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