Why don’t public schools use the Harkness method like Exeter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you wanted actual answers, it is strange that you posted this in the private schools section. If you just wanted to start a thread for bashing public schools and repeating stereotypes, then you did just fine.

This isn't the private schools section.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD's AP teachers have used the "Socratic Method" by assigning 1/2 of the students to actually talk on a certain day and 1/2 to fill out a worksheet based on the discussion. The next day, they switch. I admire public school teachers' ingenuity.

This is a joke, right?

DP. I don’t think so. What this teacher describes is called fishbowl. I’ve seen it used in both well-regraded publics and privates. The worksheet has evaluation and reflection items.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD's AP teachers have used the "Socratic Method" by assigning 1/2 of the students to actually talk on a certain day and 1/2 to fill out a worksheet based on the discussion. The next day, they switch. I admire public school teachers' ingenuity.

This is a joke, right?

DP. I don’t think so. What this teacher describes is called fishbowl. I’ve seen it used in both well-regraded publics and privates. The worksheet has evaluation and reflection items.

PP. I'm not joking. It's worked out rather well. In a smaller classroom, half the room wouldn't have to stay quiet, but there is nothing wrong with taking turns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Show me how that method works in an AP class of 45 kids, when half are sitting on the floor in the back of the room because there aren't enough desks?

All gifted...

[Anonymous]

Most people on DCUM are unaware what good public school teachers do because this site naturally attracts complaints.

[Anonymous]

“My kid cant get into Exeter but I still want you to teach him like he’s at Exeter.” Lmao your kid probably doesn’t even do the work half the time, get outta here with your harkness method.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“My kid cant get into Exeter but I still want you to teach him like he’s at Exeter.” Lmao your kid probably doesn’t even do the work half the time, get outta here with your harkness method.

DP. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this expectation. Absent special needs, most pedagogy can be used with most NT students of at least average intelligence. Scaffolding can make it accessible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“My kid cant get into Exeter but I still want you to teach him like he’s at Exeter.” Lmao your kid probably doesn’t even do the work half the time, get outta here with your harkness method.

I’m the poster who said I didn’t think my kid would get in (not op). My kid works hard and is top of class. Admissions at Exeter is still tough though. Plus we are not really looking at boarding schools anyway.

Would be great to have that educational experience in the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn’t work in any school I’ve worked in (or my teacher friends) since students have to come to class having read the assignments ahead of time. We don’t even have enough copies of the books to go around so students can take them home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn’t work in any school I’ve worked in (or my teacher friends) since students have to come to class having read the assignments ahead of time. We don’t even have enough copies of the books to go around so students can take them home.

You can do them with shorter readings that you photocopy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn’t work in any school I’ve worked in (or my teacher friends) since students have to come to class having read the assignments ahead of time. We don’t even have enough copies of the books to go around so students can take them home.

Most of the Great Books are online

[Anonymous]

That only works if you have enough copy paper to make copies (we don’t) and if students have internet access at home (most of them don’t).

[Anonymous]

Socratic seminars are regularly used in IB/AP classes in MS and HS and in the upper grades in the AAP program in ES . Not exactly the same structure as Harkness, but similar approach. They are periodic, though, (maybe 1-2x per unit?) rather than consistent method.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish it were an option around here. DCs probably couldn’t get into Exeter even if we were ok with boarding school for our family.

My college classmates who attended Exeter always impressed me and I always attributed their awesomeness to the Harkness method.

They have day students. You can move there.

Still tough to get in.

For enough money, your kids can get in. Start donating now.

I don't think you have any idea how much money is required to sway admissions at those schools. Exeter and Andover have endowments of over $1 billion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn’t work in any school I’ve worked in (or my teacher friends) since students have to come to class having read the assignments ahead of time. We don’t even have enough copies of the books to go around so students can take them home.

You can do them with shorter readings that you photocopy.

Have you ever tried to get access to the photocopier (and paper) at most public schools? Good luck!