You’re ready! Ask everyone to write down a question in their notes that they might wish to ask during the discussion. Ask this observer to fill in the chart, paying attention to the discussion and getting ready to tell the class about how it went at the end, giving at least one positive observation and one suggestion for improvement. Ask for a volunteer to be the first observer – this person does not participate in the discussion. Show everyone a circle discussion chart (print!) and explain how to write everyone’s names in around the circle. everyone gets a turn to speak, people listen instead of interrupting, everyone respects each others’ opinion, staying on topic, referencing the text, paying attention, taking notes, etc.). Ask them to help you brainstorm a list of the type of behaviors that will lead to a good experience for everyone. Step #2: Talk to the Students about HarknessĮxplain to your students that you are going to try a student-led discussion method. Maybe you have pillows on the floor, tables pushed into a circle, or desks arranged in an oval. Step #1: Set up the EnvironmentĪrrange your classroom in such a way that every student in the discussion can see each other. Just follow the three simple steps below and you will learn as you go. If you’d like to try Harkness, I suggest you dive right in! You don’t have to have it mastered before experimenting. In my experience, a focus that deep on discussion is awfully hard on my students who are naturally quieter. I like to do Harkness discussions once or twice a week, so that my students have a chance to work on expressing their opinions and learning to listen but so that discussion skills don’t dominate our whole curriculum. Though some classrooms use Harkness exclusively, it is also an excellent tool to add to a wider pedagogy. The students take ownership for the conversation, and the course material flows from their thoughts and opinions. While the teacher works hard to create circumstances in which every student feels comfortable speaking, the teacher rarely jumps in with explanations or to fill an awkward silence. But that’s not the only reason I like Harkness.Ī Harkness discussion is basically a roundtable discussion in which everyone has an equal voice. Yes, that’s right, we were in the conference talent show together doing a juggling show. It doesn’t hurt that I met my husband at the conference where I learned how to use Harkness in my classroom. One of my favorite teaching methods is the Harkness discussion.

The harkness test