Ways to Volunteer

As a volunteer, you can participate in an extracurricular program, an enrichment program, or a classroom program using Great Books. No matter what type of implementation you volunteer for, the benefits to both you and the students will be great. Your own enthusiasm for literature and your interest in students' answers will foster their love of literature and learning. If you are able to volunteer in a school setting, you'll have the chance to develop strong, supportive relationships with teachers as you work together to improve students' reading and thinking skills. The Foundation offers a one-day Parent Leader Training Workshop specifically designed to help you prepare to be a Great Books volunteer.

Extracurricular Program

Volunteers take responsibility for running an extracurricular program. Discussions may be held at school during a free period such as lunch or after school. Other possible meeting sites include a public library, community center, youth organization, or other public meeting spaces.

In these programs, volunteer leaders meet with students once a week for discussions. The Great Books volunteer coordinator sees to it that leaders and students are recruited, training and discussions are scheduled, and materials are purchased. Funding is usually available from student activity fees, PTA or PTO funds, fundraising activities, or local business sponsorships.

Enrichment Program

These are school-sponsored programs that supplement and enrich the school's curriculum. These programs may look exactly like extracurricular programs—with once-a-week discussions being led by volunteers—or may be expanded to include a variety of enrichment activities conducted by volunteers and teachers. However, because they are seen as supplementing the school's curriculum, they may qualify for Title I or Gifted and Talented funding. In some cases, materials are purchased out of the school's textbook funds. These programs may be conducted during class time during the regular school year, or as afterschool or summer programs.

Classroom Program

Today, teachers conduct the largest number of Great Books programs in K–12 classrooms. More and more educators recognize the effectiveness of Great Books programs in helping their students achieve state and local academic standards. However, teachers often welcome volunteers into the classroom to help reduce discussion group size or to give students some individual attention and help with reading the stories. These programs usually employ school funds and are held during regular school hours.

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