The Core Sequence of Great Books professional development courses (courses 101, 102, and 103) is for leaders new to Shared Inquiry. These introductory courses explain what Shared Inquiry is, how to prepare for and lead Shared Inquiry discussion, and how to conduct Great Books supporting activities. After completing the Core Sequence, you will be eligible for a certificate in leading Shared Inquiry and prepared to implement a Great Books program in your classroom.

The Core Sequence

Core Sequence Objectives
Course 101: What Is Shared Inquiry?
Course 102: The Leader’s Role in Shared Inquiry Discussion
Course 103: Shared Inquiry in Your Classroom

Review and Advanced Courses and On-Site Consulting

Course 104: Core Review of Shared Inquiry Discussion
Course 105: Core Review of Shared Inquiry in Your Classroom
Advanced Courses
On-Site Consultation Days

About Courses

• Schedule Courses Online. Or call the Great Books Foundation at 1-800-222-5870 and ask for the representative for your state.
• Course book materials. Teachers attending Great Books core courses receive bound course book materials, a colorful professional development binder (after Course 102), and a classroom set of Starting Off Strong (a $59.95 value)
  
• Graduate credit is available for teachers who complete the Core Sequence of courses.
• Certificates of Completion.  Leaders who complete the Core Sequence earn a certificate in leading Shared Inquiry. Leaders who complete any four 200- or 300-level courses earn a certificate of proficiency in Shared Inquiry.
• Teacher Leaders Club. Teachers who attend the Core Sequence have access to Teacher Leaders Club online resources.

In the Core Sequence, participants:

• Discover how and why students learn through Shared Inquiry discussion
• Learn how to activate students’ curiosity and critical thinking by engaging with a text
• See how the Shared Inquiry method helps students improve reading comprehension, critical-thinking, and writing skills
• Develop higher-level questioning skills
• Become familiar with the key features of Great Books materials
• Practice the distinctive stance of the leader in Shared Inquiry discussion
• Begin planning a Great Books implementation to meet your specific goals

Course 101 (2½-3 hours) introduces participants to Great Books programs and the Shared Inquiry method of learning. Everyone participates in an instructor-led Shared Inquiry discussion and in an interactive observation of a videotaped student discussion.

Course 102 (5–6 hours) is a double session that presents the process of preparing for and leading Shared Inquiry discussion.

Course 103 (2½–3 hours) focuses on the needs of students and the content and strategies specific to particular Great Books programs.

Course 104 (2½-3 hours) reviews the essential elements of a Shared Inquiry discussion, through active engagement in an instructor-led demonstration and by viewing a video of students in discussion. By reflecting on these models, teachers solidify their understanding of how each element connects to state and district standards and how students’ reading comprehension, critical-thinking, and oral communication skills are improved.

Course 105 (2½-3 hours) reviews the Great Books interpretive reading activities that enable students at all levels to prepare for Shared Inquiry discussion. Participants who will be using the new Junior Great Books Series 3-5 will learn about how the reading comprehension strategies, as well as vocabulary and expository writing activities, have been integrated into the program. The group will share successful strategies as well as questions about how to use shared Inquiry to improve the reading, writing and thinking skills of all students.

100-level on-site consultation days allow teachers to ask any questions they may have about using the program; teachers can also see a Great Books instructor model activities in their own classrooms. Invite a Great Books instructor to visit your school to demonstrate Shared Inquiry with your students. Schedule one or several half- or full-day visits.

Then sign up for an advanced Great Books course.  Choose from

• 200-level courses:  Getting Better: Strengthening Shared Inquiry in Your Classroom
• 300-level courses:  Going for Great: Developing Expertise in Shared Inquiry

Visit My Portfolio to review your Great Books Foundation professional development history, see what other courses you should take, order Starting Off Strong, or download a Great Books Foundation course certificate of completion.

The three core courses (10 to 12 hours) are commonly scheduled over two consecutive days, but other arrangements are possible and sometimes desirable.

Find or Register for a course in your area.

To host a course or to learn about hosting a course, call the Great Books Foundation at 1-800-222-5870 and ask for the representative for your state.

Graduate credit is available for teachers who complete the core courses.