MYP - 12-week course

Unlocking Critical Thinking and Clear Expression: A Plan for Your Child's Success

In today’s rapidly changing world, the ability to think critically, lead discussions, and express ideas clearly is more essential than ever. Textbook Tutors is excited to offer a transformative 12-week course that focuses on developing these crucial skills through an innovative blend of Harkness Discussion and Journaling. This course will equip your child with the tools to become a leader in thoughtful discourse and the ability to articulate ideas clearly in writing.

What's in the course

Part 1: Harkness Discussion - Becoming Leaders in Dialogue (8 Weeks)

Objective: The Harkness method promotes student-centred learning through discussion, empowering your child to engage in complex conversations, build confidence, and become a leader in dialogue. The focus will be on understanding cultural identity and the reinterpretation of historical figures in the UK. By the end of the course, students will have mastered the art of respectful debate, critical analysis, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Why Harkness? The Harkness method is proven to enhance critical thinking by placing students in a roundtable discussion format. There is no traditional teacher-led lecture; instead, students are guided to take ownership of the conversation, encouraging independence, creativity, and leadership.

• Topics: We will explore pressing issues around cultural identity, colonial history, and the reinterpretation of statues and historical figures in the UK. In recent years, the debate over historical monuments—such as the removal of certain statues due to their colonial and racist legacies—has opened up significant discussions about who and what we choose to honour. These discussions are not just about history but about shaping modern society, values, and cultural identity.

• Week 1-2: Introduction to the Harkness Method & Cultural Identity

  • Class 1: Explanation of the Harkness approach and establishing norms for discussion. Students will be introduced to the concept of cultural identity and its importance in shaping personal and societal values.

  • Class 2: Guided Harkness discussion around cultural identity in modern-day Britain. How do various factors, such as ethnicity, religion, and social class, shape one's identity?

• Week 3-4: Introduction to Historical Figures in the UK

  • Class 3: Who are the historical figures we commemorate, and why? Introduction to prominent UK figures and the legacies of their statues.

  • Class 4: First Harkness discussion on what it means to commemorate figures with complex legacies—such as Winston Churchill, Cecil Rhodes, and Edward Colston.

• Week 5-6: Reinterpretation of Statues & Social Change

  • Class 5: Exploration of movements that have called for the removal of statues, with case studies such as the Bristol protests involving Edward Colston’s statue.

  • Class 6: Students will engage in a Harkness discussion on how public symbols like statues influence cultural identity and why reinterpretation is important. How do we reconcile celebrating national figures with acknowledging their problematic histories?

• Week 7-8: Synthesis & Leadership in Discussion

  • Class 7: Students will engage in a culminating discussion on how history and cultural identity should be presented in public spaces. They will offer suggestions for alternative commemorations or reinterpretations of controversial figures.

  • Class 8: The final Harkness discussion will ask students to reflect on the role of leadership in discourse. They will share their insights into how these historical debates inform their views on leadership, identity, and community.

Each 80-minute session will be structured as:

• 50 minutes of discussion and guided thinking.

• 10-minute break to decompress and prepare for the final segment.

• 20 minutes of synthesis, where students reflect on the discussion, identify key insights, and summarize what they've learned.

By the end of the 8-week Harkness course, your child will have developed the skills to:

• Confidently lead and participate in complex discussions.

• Respectfully challenge ideas and contribute original thoughts.

• Synthesize diverse viewpoints into a coherent understanding of the topic at hand.

Part 2: Journaling Course - Organizing Thoughts and Articulating Ideas Clearly (4 Weeks)

Objective: Following the Harkness Discussion course, students will transition to journaling, where they will learn to organize their thoughts and articulate their ideas clearly in writing. This course will focus on reflection, personal voice, and critical thinking, helping your child translate spoken ideas into structured and polished written work.

• Why Journaling? Journaling has been proven to enhance cognitive function, clarify thinking, and improve writing skills. It helps students process the complex ideas they’ve engaged with in Harkness discussions and gives them the opportunity to find their personal voice in writing.

• Week 1-2: Reflective Writing on Cultural Identity and Historical Reinterpretation

  • Class 1: Introduction to reflective writing. Students will begin journaling about their experiences and insights gained from the Harkness discussions. The focus will be on articulating their evolving thoughts on cultural identity and the reinterpretation of UK historical figures.

  • Class 2: Guided journaling exercises that encourage students to explore the emotional and intellectual complexities of revisiting controversial historical figures.

• Week 3-4: Mastering Clarity, Structure, and Personal Voice

  • Class 3: Techniques for improving clarity and structure in writing. Students will refine their reflective journals, focusing on organizing their thoughts logically and clearly.

  • Class 4: The final class will focus on cultivating a strong personal voice. Students will be encouraged to express their unique perspectives on cultural identity and historical reinterpretation, while also working to present balanced and well-reasoned arguments.

Each 80-minute session will be structured as:

• 50 minutes of writing exercises and instructor guidance.

• 10-minute break to refocus and relax.

• 20 minutes of peer feedback and instructor-led discussion on how to refine ideas further.

By the end of the 4-week journaling course, your child will have:

• Developed a habit of reflective writing, which fosters self-awareness and deeper thinking.

• Learned how to organize and structure ideas clearly on paper.

• Found their personal voice and gained confidence in expressing complex ideas in writing.

Why Enrol in This Course?

This 12-week course offers a unique blend of skills that will not only help your child succeed in school but also prepare them for leadership in the future. The Harkness Discussion teaches students to engage deeply with important issues, respect differing viewpoints, and lead conversations with confidence. The Journaling course, on the other hand, will sharpen their ability to reflect, organize, and clearly express their thoughts in writing.

In a world where communication and critical thinking are more valuable than ever, your child will emerge from this course with the tools needed to excel both academically and socially. These are the skills that future leaders need—whether they are analysing historical debates or shaping the future through their own ideas.

Enrol Now for a Transformative Experience

Don’t miss the chance to set your child on a path to becoming an articulate, thoughtful, and confident leader. Textbook Tutors is here to guide them every step of the way, through discussions that inspire and writing that empowers. Sign up today, and watch your child thrive in an environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and self-expression.

Seats are limited—secure your spot now!

Pain Points of the MYP (Middle Years Programme) and How Textbook Tutors Solves Them with Real Examples

Pain Points of the MYP (Middle Years Programme) and How Textbook Tutors Solves Them with Real Examples

1. Inquiry-Based Learning and Critical Thinking:

   • Pain Point: The MYP’s emphasis on inquiry-based learning and critical thinking can be challenging for students who are more accustomed to traditional rote learning methods.

   • Textbook Tutors’ Solution: We help students develop the skills necessary for inquiry-based learning by teaching them how to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions and encouraging them to explore topics in greater depth. For example, when working with a student who was used to memorizing facts, we shifted their focus toward questioning the "why" and "how" behind what they were learning. During a history session, instead of simply memorizing dates and events, we guided them to analyse the causes and effects of historical events and how these connect to global themes. This helped the student engage more deeply with the material, allowing them to develop the critical thinking skills required by the MYP.

2. Heavy Workload and Time Management:

   • Pain Point: The MYP curriculum involves a significant workload, particularly with interdisciplinary projects and assessments, which can make time management difficult.

   • Textbook Tutors’ Solution: We teach students practical time management strategies, such as how to prioritize tasks, break down larger projects into smaller, manageable steps, and create effective study schedules. For instance, when a student was overwhelmed by an upcoming interdisciplinary project involving science and geography, we worked together to map out a timeline, breaking the project into research, writing, and presentation phases. This structure helped the student stay on track, avoid last-minute rushes, and manage their workload across multiple subjects.

3. Assessment and Criteria-Based Grading:

   • Pain Point: MYP assessments are based on specific criteria, and understanding these criteria can be difficult for students, making it harder for them to achieve higher scores.

   • Textbook Tutors’ Solution: We break down the MYP assessment criteria for each subject, helping students understand exactly what is required to meet each level of achievement. For example, a student preparing for an English assessment struggled to understand how to demonstrate deeper analysis in their writing. We reviewed the assessment rubrics together and practiced writing responses that aligned with the highest criteria, ensuring the student knew how to include critical reflections and textual evidence to earn higher marks. This clarity helped the student approach future assessments with confidence, knowing what was expected to excel.

4. Interdisciplinary Projects and Research Skills:

   • Pain Point: The MYP requires students to complete interdisciplinary projects that demand synthesis of information across different subjects and the development of independent research skills, which can be daunting for some students.

   • Textbook Tutors’ Solution: We provide structured guidance for interdisciplinary projects, teaching students how to conduct thorough research, organize their findings, and make meaningful connections across subjects. For example, when a student was tasked with a project linking environmental science and ethics, we helped them develop a research question, find credible sources, and create a clear project outline. We also taught them how to incorporate evidence from different subjects to support their arguments, resulting in a well-rounded, coherent project that met the MYP’s interdisciplinary expectations.

5. Global Context and Personal Engagement:

   • Pain Point: The MYP encourages students to engage with global issues and reflect on their personal experiences, which can be challenging when the connections between their learning and the real world seem abstract.

   • Textbook Tutors’ Solution: We help students connect their studies to global contexts by encouraging them to explore real-world issues that align with the subjects they are studying. For instance, one student struggled to see the relevance of their literature studies to global themes. We guided them to reflect on how the themes in the novel they were reading related to current global issues, such as social justice and human rights. By helping students make these connections, we deepen their understanding of the material and encourage personal engagement with the broader world.

By offering a combination of academic support, personalized guidance, and real-world connections, Textbook Tutors ensures that students not only succeed in the MYP but also develop the critical thinking, research, and global awareness skills that are central to the IB program.

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