Mantle of the Expert: Using Story Worlds to Engage Young Minds
An article in the May/June 2025 issue of Childhood Education Innovations explores how co-created, relevant, and engaging learning fosters student ownership, deepens learning, and enhances motivation by connecting content to real-world experiences and personal interests.
The article describes the “Mantle of the Expert” approach, in which the teacher sets a scene using a story and brings students into the story as if they are a team of experts. They don’t need to have any real-world expertise; the “mantle” of the expert is not about what they know, but rather about taking on responsibility.
By asking, “What would be your most urgent concerns?,” the teacher invites the students to enter the fiction and take on responsibility. As they get to work, the teacher weaves in curriculum content while also developing skills in drawing, writing, and creating. In this way, the curriculum comes alive. The content—the knowledge, skills, and understanding—is relevant and immediately applicable.
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An article in the May/June 2025 issue of Childhood Education Innovations magazine highlights this project. Subscribe to read the rest of this article and access other articles highlighting innovative solutions to education challenges from educators around the world.