Educators consistently tell us that Junior Great Books Nonfiction Inquiry has the most interesting nonfiction readings they have encountered. Where else would you find great selections like “Burger With a Side of Shoe Polish” or “Air Jordans: Demanding the Brand”!
Our Nonfiction Inquiry program, for grades 2–5, includes a vast array of fascinating reads in:
- Life science
- Physical science
- American history
- Economics
- Social studies
- STEM
Download Free Nonfiction Inquiry Lesson Plans
We invite you to download and investigate the booklet on this page to read “Small Acts Make a Big Difference,” a selection that describes the ways people in communities work together and profiles three different children who work to improve their communities. You and your students will discover just how engaging nonfiction can be. This booklet includes:
- An overview of the Nonfiction Inquiry activity sequence
- Complete text selection of “Small Acts Make a Big Difference”
- Additional teacher resources
- Links to specific texts in the fiction series
All Nonfiction Inquiry Teacher Editions, as well as the sample lesson plans, include tables showing the content area and focus for each text. Each unit is aligned with national benchmarks in science, social studies, and English language arts. All of the Nonfiction Inquiry selections are paired with stories in our fiction series, so that you may meaningfully compare fiction and nonfiction at the same grade level and so students can make amazing connections. And each Nonfiction Inquiry unit presents an engaging sequence of activities that develop:
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thinking
- Language
- Writing skills
Twice a month, Kymani delivers 200 hygiene bags to homeless shelters in his community.
Get Started Today!
If you’d like to engage your students in discussions and activities about thought-provoking nonfiction texts that explore contemporary and historical issues—and align with national social studies and science standards—take a look at Junior Great Books Nonfiction Inquiry! Schedule a quick meeting with your K–12 partnership manager to discuss the materials and Shared Inquiry™ training you’ll need to bring this exciting program to your classroom.