Question: Is there a minimum or maximum number of students you can teach using this curriculum?

Answer: There is not. Whether you have 3 students or 40+ this curriculum will impact your students in a powerful way.

Question: Is there a Day By Day Plan available?

Answer: We do have the lesson available in chronological order. This will be included with the purchase of the Master Series Curriculum.

Question: I have a large class. Can we still do The Life Raft Activity?

Answer: This activity can be done with class sizes of 30 plus! Typically it is done in a classroom where 10-12 life rafts are taped to the floor in 2X6 rectangles. This allows for up to 36 students as 3 students occupy each raft. Even if it becomes cramped, it is intended as part of project based learning. Tangibly demonstrating the difficulty Louis would have faced being in the middle the ocean for 47 days! They only need to endure for a few days for 45 minutes which gives students a very beneficial perspective. Should you have a class of 40 plus, there might be a need to rotate some students to sit around the perimeter.

Question: What are the benefits of Harkness Methodology? (Round-Table Discussion)

Answer: Harkness is designed to leave no student out of the discussion. This pedagogy is grounded in inclusion! Students who engage themselves with the Harkness class will finish with a greater sense of autonomy knowing that they know how to learn. They will also finish the class with an increased ability to verbally articulate their questions and opinions in discussions.

See for yourself! CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO from the Master Series Curriculum.

Question: What is the difference between Socratic teaching and Harkness?

Answer: In a Socratic Seminar, students are there to collaboratively answer the teacher's questions with their peers. But, in a Harkness discussion, students are expected to formulate questions themselves. In discussions, forming questions is as important as answering them. Students are encouraged to express their ideas and opinions and can refine them in dialogue with their peers. The teacher masterfully guides the discussion, helps students clarify their arguments and supports the development of critical thinking, listening and speaking skills.

Question: How many weeks should I plan for the complete study of the curriculum?

Answer: In a traditional schedule this curriculum will take roughly 6 weeks. If you are on a block schedule please see below.

Question: How Does This Curriculum Work With A Block Schedule?

Answer: You will simply need to modify the timing according to your schedule. You will break lessons down into 30 minute activities or less depending on the needs of your students.

Question: What Is The Best Way To Handle The Distraction of Cell Phones During My Class?

Answer: Our suggestion is that students place their cell phones in their backpacks which are kept at the front of the classroom. They can be retrieved on their way out.

Question: How do I watch my class if I’m reading aloud?

Answer: Should you have concerns, it can be beneficial to speak privately with a student that has a high level of engagement within your classroom. You can ask them privately to let you know if there are students that are having difficulty in following along.

Question: In the "Curriculum Tools" and in "Quick Reference Guide", they mention "step-by-step guidance".  Would you please send me this guidance?

Answer: Regarding the "Step-by-Step" guidance, that is referencing how the curriculum goes in order from pre-reading to reading activities (with scaffolding instructions, curriculum notes, etc.) and into the post-reading territory.  So, in other words, there's never an assignment ever thrown in there that doesn't have step-by-step guides on what to do, how to conduct that assignment, etc.