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Frequently Asked Questions: K-12 Programs

Has research been done on the effectiveness of Great Books programs?

Yes. Visit the Research and Effectiveness section of this website for a compiled list of the scientific research on student learning in Great Books K–12 programs, and additional research supporting the Shared Inquiry method.

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Will Great Books programs teach my students how to read?

Great Books programs help students develop reading comprehension strategies and critical thinking skills that are essential for effective reading. Student learning is enhanced when students have a stake in what they are learning; Shared Inquiry fosters this sense of ownership by giving students responsibility for developing their own questions and ideas about the literature they read. The Shared Inquiry method also motivates students to read because they look forward to participating in exciting discussions. We recognize that students need a variety of reading experiences; research has shown that Great Books programs are most effective when used as a substantive component of a varied language arts curriculum (Blanton, Wood, & Taylor, 2007; Kelly, 2005; Kelly, 1996). A Great Books consultant can help you plan a program implementation that will complement other components of your curriculum.

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How does the Shared Inquiry method of learning benefit my students?

Students come to see themselves as successful, lifelong learners and thinkers as they:

  • Share and explain their ideas
  • Gain confidence when approaching challenging literature
  • Become self-aware, self-monitoring readers

Students learn to read for meaning as they:

  • Use reading comprehension strategies to better understand a story
  • Go beyond snap responses to deeper thinking
  • Support ideas with evidence from the story
  • Develop appreciation for rich, rewarding literature

Students develop cognitive, social, and emotional intelligences as they:

  • Thoughtfully consider different points of view
  • Listen to others and respond appropriately
  • Create a collaborative classroom community with support from their peers and teachers

 

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Do Great Books programs help prepare students for standardized achievement tests?

Yes. Research shows that students who regularly participate in Great Books programs make significant improvement in reading comprehension as measured by commonly administered achievement tests (Murphy et al., 2009; Kelly, 1996; Heinl, 1988). Regular practice with the skills involved in Shared Inquiry activities—asking questions, rereading, making inferences, summarizing passages, explaining evidence, and drawing conclusions—prepares students to use reading strategies flexibly and confidently when taking a test.

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Will my struggling and ELL students be able to participate in Great Books programs?

Yes. Studies have shown that struggling readers improve their literal and inferential reading comprehension skills with Great Books programs (Criscuola & Chou, 1992; Heinl, 1988; Biskin, Hoskisson, & Modlin, 1976) as well as their critical thinking and reasoning skills (Murphy et al., 2009). To help struggling readers and English language learners actively participate in Shared Inquiry discussion, Great Books programs emphasize the importance of engaging with a text during multiple readings, as well as reading aloud to students of all ages. (Audio recordings of all selections read aloud are available for grades K–8.) To enable all students to participate in discussion, the Foundation also recommends full use of the prediscussion activities in the teacher’s editions. Each activity is designed to take students to progressively deeper levels of comprehension, building a firm foundation for critical thinking. Then, during the discussion, students of all ability levels learn to collaborate to solve problems of meaning and develop understanding of the text. Reading becomes less lonely and difficult for struggling readers as they experience the joy and excitement of shared discovery. Teacher feedback indicates that struggling readers will often offer the most insightful comments in a discussion. In a safe environment where everyone’s ideas are valued and respected, these students feel more motivated to share their thoughts about what they have read.

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Are there ways to assess my students' work in Great Books programs?

Each Junior Great Books® and Great Books Roundtable™ series comes with a variety of options for assessing student work, such as multiple-choice reading comprehension tests, a critical thinking rubric, a writing rubric, and portfolio assessment materials. Informal assessment tools are also included in the form of student learning spectrums, which help you determine your students’ level of performance with regards to the learning objective(s) given for each activity.

 

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How are selections chosen for the Great Books anthologies?

Selections must meet certain criteria to be suitable for inclusion in a Great Books anthology:

  • Selections must be authentic, well-written literature.
  • Selections must be rich enough to support extended interpretive discussion.
  • Selections must raise genuine questions of meaning for teachers as well as for students.
  • Selections must be limited in length so as to sustain students’ engagement and focus during discussion.
  • Selections must be age-appropriate.
  • Anthologies should contain a variety of genres, settings, time periods, and themes.

 

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Can I use the Shared Inquiry method with my own literary selections?

Yes, as long as they are texts that raise genuine open-ended questions of meaning (see question above). Ultimately, the selection you choose must spark your own and your students’ curiosity, which will in turn lay the foundation for a satisfying interpretive discussion.

 

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Can I involve students of different ages or grade levels in one Shared Inquiry discussion group?

It is not uncommon to have different grade levels in a discussion group, but be aware that the themes and issues in many selections correspond to age and grade levels. It is a good idea to keep the group’s age range from varying too widely. Great Books selections are rich and challenging, and selection criteria ensure that even adults will find the selections interesting and thought-provoking, regardless of the reading level.

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What support does the Great Books Foundation provide for newcomers to the Shared Inquiry method?

The best place to begin is with a professional development course in the Shared Inquiry method. Once you have taken a training course, you may want to begin implementing the program with the Starting Off Strong materials, which are designed to allow you to practice what you have learned while you introduce the method to your students.

The Foundation is also committed to ongoing professional development and offers on-site consultation days. Great Books consultants will model Shared Inquiry in demonstration sessions with students, coach teachers, and meet with them (one-on-one or in groups) to provide follow-up support.

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