Join us for a multigenerational Shared Inquiry™ discussion of the folk story “Nail Soup” on November 8, 2022. Adults and children are both encouraged to attend! Choose from one of two times:

  • 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. central time • Register
  • 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. central time • Register

For this free online discussion, our expert Shared Inquiry leaders will guide you through questions that lead to a deeper understanding of this short tale. You will gain new perspectives of your own, and you will also see how carefully children of all ages consider the questions, weigh evidence, and offer interesting and exciting new interpretations.

This discussion is the second in a series of free online events that we are offering to celebrate the Great Book Foundation’s 75th anniversary. Please join us to become part of the Great Conversation that started long ago and will continue in a spirit of sharing and discovery!

When you register, we will send you a free PDF of the story with a complete set of interpretive activities that show you the great variety of ways teachers can engage students in Junior Great Books®. Or you can download the story and activities from this page. We will discuss only the text, but we invite you to investigate the complete unit.

We look forward to seeing you on November 8!

“The Great Books Foundation hosted an engaging discussion on one of T. S. Eliot’s poems. The isolation that resulted from COVID-19 protocols has syphoned off some creative energy, and I’d been looking for ways to nourish my own mind. The hour commitment was manageable and left me wanting for more discussion and clarity about “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” Intellectual discussion is great for reigniting that contagious joyful spark we need to light up the minds of our students. Looking forward to whatever they’ve got up their sleeve next!”

—Justine Braskich
REACH Coordinator
Daniel Wright Junior High School
Lincolnshire, IL

“As a veteran educator (22 years) and longtime practitioner and proponent of the Shared Inquiry discussion method, I was naturally eager to participate in the online discussion of “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” I’m happy to report that my experience was superb. Our discussion leader skillfully orchestrated a lively conversation around Prufrock’s inability to articulate his deepest concerns and feelings. By the end of the discussion (which flew by though it was 45 minutes long) reminded me why I love teaching great works of literature and why I love Shared Inquiry.”

—Christian Clarke
Teacher and Dean
Brooklyn Technical High School
Brooklyn, NY