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Getting Started with Great Books in the Classroom
A Tutorial for K-12 Educators

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1. JGB in Action

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Discussion Tips

Click on a tip from the list below. Details will appear to the right.

Give everyone a chance to contribute

"Oh, I wish you would have brought that up in discussion!"

Some students may hesitate to raise an idea or possible answer during discussion. Sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement from the leader for these valuable ideas to emerge.

Reluctant students may be shy because they feel their ideas are stupid or unwelcome. Make sure that students know that as long as an idea is grounded in the text it is valid for consideration.

Be especially wary of apparent agreement. Sometimes several students will have spoken up to develop one line of thought, and it can seem as if everyone in the discussion agrees. There are usually different ideas out there, or even different perspectives on the one being developed; it's just a matter of finding them.

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Copyright 2005 - The Great Books Foundation
Getting Started with Great Books in the Classroom

Key traits for a discussion leader:

  • Listen
  • Be curious
  • Ask

    The best introduction to Shared Inquiry and using Junior Great Books is the Basic Leader Training Course.
    More on JGB training...