Creating opportunities for student leaders to learn and teach together

To set up a Readers 2 Leaders program, a college or high school partners with an elementary school or community center serving younger children in an after-school or weekend program. Here’s how R2L unfolds:

1. The high school or college sponsor recruits interested students (as many as 30) for the program. The sponsor will mentor students as they learn Shared Inquiry strategies and reflect on their experiences.
2. The elementary school coordinator recruits students grades 3-6 and schedules up to 10 weekly reading and discussion sessions. The coordinator will monitor these sessions.
3. The high-school or college students participate in two professional development workshops, conducted by Great Books Foundation instructors. Student leaders develop their skills and plan their teaching in regular group meetings with their sponsor.
4. The student leaders, in pairs, lead discussions with groups of elementary students, usually 10-15 students. Each elementary student receives an anthology of literature for discussion.
5. Observations and assessments provide student leaders with feedback for resumes and recommendations. Sponsors use the assessments to evaluate the program for stakeholders and funders.