12 weeks Harkness and Journalling Course

Our 12 week Harkness and Journalling Course consists of 8 weeks experiencing Harkness Discussions and becoming Leaders in Discussion and then 4 weeks of practising how to effectively articulate these clear ideas and become Masters of Journalling.

How the Harkness Discussion can benefit your child

Get your child ahead of the curve. Most parents haven't heard of the Harkness Discussion (Method) yet. 

What is the Harkness Discussion?

The Harkness Discussion is a dynamic and engaging teaching method that transforms the learning experience. Imagine your child leading and participating in thought-provoking conversations, where they aren’t just passive recipients of information but active contributors to the discussion. This student-centred approach places students around a round table, where they collaborate, debate, and explore complex topics together. Instead of traditional lectures, your child will develop critical thinking skills, enhance their ability to listen and respond thoughtfully, and build confidence in articulating their ideas. With the Harkness Discussion, your child will not only gain a deeper understanding of subjects but also become a skilled leader in dialogue. 

Enrol in our course and give your child the advantage of mastering these essential skills for their academic and personal success! 

Why your child needs to experience it (these are not just words, each skill or behaviour change is worth its weight in gold).

 1. Enhanced Critical Thinking Skills

   The Harkness Method encourages students to think deeply and critically about the material. Engaging in discussions allows them to analyse different perspectives, evaluate arguments and develop their own viewpoints. This skill is crucial for academic success as well as informed decision-making in everyday life.

2. Improved Communication Skills

   Through regular participation in student-led discussions, your child will learn to articulate their thoughts clearly and effectively. They will also develop active listening skills, which are essential for meaningful conversations and collaboration with others.

3. Increased Confidence

   As students share their ideas and engage with their peers, they build confidence in their abilities. The supportive environment fosters a sense of belonging, allowing them to express themselves without fear of judgment. This newfound confidence can extend beyond the classroom and positively impact other areas of their lives.

4. Collaboration and Teamwork

   The Harkness Method promotes collaboration, as students work together to explore ideas and solve problems. They learn to appreciate diverse perspectives and work effectively in a team, skills that are invaluable in both academic and professional arenas alike.

What is Journalling?

Journaling is more than just writing down thoughts—it's a powerful tool for deep reflection and clear communication. Envision your child turning complex ideas into organized, articulate, and compelling written work. Through our Journaling course, your child will learn to capture their reflections on engaging topics, like cultural identity and historical reinterpretation, with clarity and precision. This process helps them refine their thinking, structure their ideas logically, and find their unique voice. By developing strong writing habits and gaining confidence in their ability to express themselves, your child will be better prepared to tackle academic challenges and communicate effectively in any setting. Invest in our Journaling course and empower your child with the skills to articulate their thoughts clearly and persuasively, setting them up for success in all their future endeavors! 

Benefits of Journalling

Journaling offers transformative benefits that will profoundly impact your child’s academic performance and personal growth. Imagine your child mastering the art of clear, effective writing, turning their thoughts into well-structured, impactful essays. Through our Journaling course, your child will develop essential skills that go far beyond mere writing.

Here’s how journaling can make a difference:

1. Enhanced Clarity and Organization: Journaling helps your child learn to organize their thoughts logically and express them clearly. This skill translates directly into stronger essays, reports, and presentations.

2. Deeper Reflection: By regularly reflecting on their ideas and experiences, your child will gain greater self-awareness and critical thinking abilities, leading to more insightful and thoughtful work.

3. Stronger Communication Skills: Writing with purpose and precision builds confidence in verbal and written communication, crucial for academic success and future career endeavours.

4. Improved Academic Performance: As your child becomes more adept at articulating their ideas, they’ll see improvements in their grades and overall academic performance.

5. Personal Growth: Journaling fosters a habit of introspection and self-expression, encouraging personal growth and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Enrol your child in our Journaling course and equip them with these invaluable skills. Watch them thrive as they learn to express their thoughts with clarity and confidence, setting the stage for future success in both their academic and personal lives!

 Understanding the Top Table Harkness Method: A Path to Mastery

At Top Table Harkness, we offer a structured and progressive approach to developing discussion and critical thinking skills through our specialized mini courses. Here’s how our method prepares students for success at different stages of their learning journey:

Stage 1: Building a Knowledge Foundation

In the initial stage of our Top Table Harkness Method, we take on the role of the teacher. This phase focuses on:

• Imparting Core Knowledge: We provide students with essential information and a solid understanding of the subject matter. For example, in our mini courses for Years 7, 8, and 9, students start with foundational topics that are crucial for further exploration.

• Structured Learning: Our approach ensures that students are equipped with the necessary background to engage in meaningful discussions. This stage is crucial for setting the groundwork for advanced discussion skills.

Stage 2: Facilitating Growth

As students' progress to Stage 2, our role transitions to that of a facilitator. Here, we focus on:

• Ensuring a Strong Foundation: We support students in solidifying their understanding of the material, providing guidance and scaffolding as needed. For instance, during the first two weeks of the mini courses, we focus on teaching foundational discussion skills and preparing students for more complex topics.

• Building Confidence: By facilitating rather than directly teaching, we encourage students to take ownership of their learning and begin to practice leading discussions. This stage involves guided practice sessions where students start to explore and engage with the subject matter more independently.

Preparing for Stages 3 and 4: Coaching and Refining

The real power of the Harkness Method is realised in Stages 3 and 4, where students take on more responsibility for their learning:

• Stage 3: Coaching

  • Application of Skills: Students apply their foundational knowledge to lead discussions on more complex topics. For example, in Weeks 3-5 of our mini courses, students delve into deeper discussions on topics such as cultural diversity, building on the skills they've developed in earlier stages.

  • Developing Critical Thinking: At this stage, students practice articulating nuanced opinions and considering multiple perspectives. Our facilitators provide feedback to help students refine their discussion techniques and enhance their analytical abilities.

• Stage 4: Refining

  • Mastery and Independence: Students refine their discussion skills by leading discussions on entirely new topics, such as the role of technology in society. This phase involves mastering the art of discussion, where students demonstrate their ability to handle various subjects with confidence and depth.

  • Reflective Feedback: Our facilitators offer targeted feedback to help students polish their skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for advanced academic challenges and real-world applications.

Pain Points of the Harkness Method and Journaling and How Textbook Tutors Solves Them with Real Examples

Pain Points of the Harkness Method and Journaling and How Textbook Tutors Solves Them with Real Examples

1. Active Participation in Discussions:

   • Pain Point: The Harkness Method requires students to actively participate in discussions, which can be difficult for students who are shy, lack confidence, or feel unsure about contributing in group settings.

   • Textbook Tutors’ Solution: We provide targeted guidance on discussion techniques to help students feel more confident in contributing. For instance, we work with students to organize their thoughts in advance by discussing potential talking points before the group discussion begins. One student who struggled with shyness benefitted from rehearsing their ideas during one-on-one tutoring sessions, allowing them to feel more prepared when contributing in class. Over time, this practice helped them gain the confidence to share their thoughts more openly in group discussions.

2. Critical Thinking and Listening Skills:

   • Pain Point: The Harkness Method emphasizes the need to both speak and listen, requiring students to critically evaluate and build upon others’ ideas. Developing these skills can be challenging.

   • Textbook Tutors’ Solution: We use structured practice discussions and reflection exercises to help students improve their ability to think critically and listen actively. For example, after a discussion practice, we ask students to reflect on what they learned from their peers’ contributions and how it shaped their own views. One student found it difficult to engage with others' perspectives but, through these reflective exercises, began to see the value in building upon other ideas, leading to more meaningful contributions in class.

3. Balancing Leadership and Collaboration:

   • Pain Point: Students need to balance leading discussions with allowing space for others to contribute. Some students may dominate conversations, while others may hold back too much.

   • Textbook Tutors’ Solution: We work with students on finding a balance between leading and collaborating. For instance, when a student tended to dominate discussions, we practiced stepping back and encouraging others by asking open-ended questions that invited input. Conversely, for students who held back, we focused on strategies for stepping forward, such as preparing questions or comments in advance. One student who initially avoided leading discussions gained the confidence to assert their ideas while also encouraging a more inclusive conversation, making the discussion more balanced and collaborative.

4. Effective Journaling and Self-Reflection:

   • Pain Point: Journaling requires regular self-reflection and thoughtful writing, which can be difficult for students who are not used to consistently processing their thoughts or expressing them in writing.

   • Textbook Tutors’ Solution: We introduce students to various journaling techniques, helping them find what works best for their personal style. For example, one student found freewriting too unstructured, so we introduced them to reflective prompts that helped them focus on specific aspects of their learning. By experimenting with different methods, the student developed a consistent journaling habit that allowed them to reflect more deeply and meaningfully on their academic and personal growth.

5. Applying Reflection to Academic Growth:

   • Pain Point: Journaling isn’t just about writing; it’s about connecting personal insights to academic improvement, which can be difficult for students who struggle to translate their reflections into actionable steps.

   • Textbook Tutors’ Solution: We guide students in turning their reflections into concrete actions for academic growth. For instance, after reviewing a student’s journal entries, we worked together to identify recurring themes and areas where they wanted to improve, such as time management or participation in discussions. We then created specific action plans to address these areas, such as setting small, measurable goals. One student who was struggling with time management began journaling about their daily routines, which helped them identify inefficiencies and ultimately create a more effective study schedule.

By supporting students in mastering the Harkness Method and effective journaling, Textbook Tutors empowers them to develop stronger communication, critical thinking, and self-reflection skills. These tools not only improve their academic performance but also enhance their ability to engage deeply with learning and take ownership of their personal development.

The chances are that you never experienced the Harkness Method as a student.

It is an exciting and effective learning journey that can take a student to new heights.

Make sure your child gets to try it. If they do, I can promise you that they, their teachers, their classmates and you will see the difference. 

After all, it's why the elite schools are using it.

It's simple really- the more you work on a topic, discussing it from different perspectives, the more you understand it, the better you remember it and the quicker you can recall it. In an exam, you can only write down what you recall.