Training and Professional Development
Learning the Shared Inquiry Method
All Great Books professional development is designed to help educators learn, practice, and master the Shared Inquiry™ method of teaching and learning. Our experienced trainers have helped thousands of educators use this method with Junior Great Books materials and other curricula. Shared Inquiry empowers teachers to use interpretive, evaluative, and factual questions to help students dig deeper into whatever they are reading so they can express themselves, listen to others, and synthesize new ideas from the input they receive.
We have training courses and coaching to fit any teacher’s needs, regardless of their level of experience. Teachers can:
- Learn how to use the Shared Inquiry method in their classroom
- Discover strategies for virtual and hybrid classroom scenarios
- Receive live coaching to help them get started or hone their skills
- Attend intermediate and advanced webinars
Shared Inquiry Essentials Training
The Shared Inquiry Essentials training empowers teachers with the tools they need to increase academic performance and student engagement while creating an inclusive environment—in the classroom or online. This course prepares educators to begin using the Shared Inquiry method of learning through reading and discussion with students at all levels. In this hands-on, interactive training, teachers will:
- Learn questioning strategies that keep discussions lively and focused and improve students’ reading, critical thinking, and oral communication skills
- Practice writing interpretive questions and using follow-up questions to involve students of all ages and proficiency levels
- See how interpretive activities support student learning and meet state and district standards
On-Site Course |
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10 hours, comprising two 5-hour sessions of in-person training on consecutive days $5,000 for up to 25 people |
Blended Course |
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10 hours, including 6 hours of in-person training and 4 hours of self-paced online modules $5,000 for up to 25 people |
Online Course |
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10 hours, including 6 hours of live online training and 4 hours of self-paced online modules $4,000 for up to 25 people |
NEW! Professional Development Packages
Whether you are in a large public school district, a small private school, or somewhere in between, we have a professional development package for your setting. Each package includes initial training, follow-up support, and practice sessions that will give your Junior Great Books program a strong start and give teachers the guidance they need as your implementation progresses.
“I work with a team within my district that provides professional development, so we are highly scrutinizing of it. With Junior Great Books, we want to have somebody that’s the expert come in to work with our teachers to give credence to the scientific basis of the program and to make sure that it’s done in the manner in which it was designed. The professional development that we have had from Great Books has always been top-notch.”
—Amy Keir
K–12 Teaching and Learning Coordinator
Elyria City School District, Elyria, OH
Standard Support |
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| This package offers the Shared Inquiry Essentials online course and 1:1 online coaching, and it provides teachers with a framework for getting started. We recommend this package for experienced teaching teams of self-starters. |
Plus Support |
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| This package offers the Shared Inquiry Essentials course and a blend of growth-focused coaching and feedback both online and in person to support teachers in delivering the full benefits of the Shared Inquiry method and Junior Great Books programs. We recommend this package for teams with a mix of experience. |
Premium Support |
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| This package offers the Shared Inquiry Essentials course and a blend of online and in-person coaching and feedback. Teachers receive personalized support and become highly proficient in inquiry-based teaching. We recommend it for teams who want a high level of support or ongoing coaching to build mastery. |
| Small Group: 10–15 Teachers |
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| Small Group: 10–15 Teachers |
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| Small Group: 10–15 Teachers |
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| Large Group: Up to 35 Teachers |
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| Large Group: Up to 35 Teachers |
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| Large Group: Up to 35 Teachers |
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Standard Support |
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| This package offers the Shared Inquiry Essentials online course and 1:1 online coaching, and it provides teachers with a framework for getting started. We recommend this package for experienced teaching teams of self-starters. |
| Small Group: 10–15 Teachers |
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| Large Group: Up to 35 Teachers |
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Plus Support |
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| This package offers the Shared Inquiry Essentials course and a blend of growth-focused coaching and feedback both online and in person to support teachers in delivering the full benefits of the Shared Inquiry method and Junior Great Books programs. We recommend this package for teams with a mix of experience. |
| Small Group: 10–15 Teachers |
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| Large Group: Up to 35 Teachers |
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Premium Support |
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| This package offers the Shared Inquiry Essentials course and a blend of online and in-person coaching and feedback. Teachers receive personalized support and become highly proficient in inquiry-based teaching. We recommend it for teams who want a high level of support or ongoing coaching to build mastery. |
| Small Group: 10–15 Teachers |
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| Large Group: Up to 35 Teachers |
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Additional Shared Inquiry Support
We offer additional Shared Inquiry training and support to meet your specific needs. For intermediate and advanced training, you can register for online courses any time. For the other options below, we recommend that you schedule a brief meeting to speak with your Great Books educational consultant to discuss these opportunities:
Shared Inquiry Practice and Modeling
Great Books trainers can lead Shared Inquiry discussion and activities for a class while teachers observe. They can also coach teachers while they lead a Junior Great Books program. Choose from four- or eight-week sessions.
Intermediate and Advanced Training
We have in-person and online options. Popular courses include:
- The Power of Student Questions
- Implementing Junior Great Books Nonfiction Inquiry
- Interpretive Thinking for Grades K–1
- Shared Inquiry Advanced Review
Custom On-Site or Online Consultation
Choose one or multiple days when our trainers will consult with your teachers to offer support where it is most needed. In-person and online options are available.
Curriculum Development
We will help you develop your own inquiry-based curriculum for English language arts or other subject areas.
Parent and Volunteer Training
In-person and online options are available.
Schedule a Meeting
To learn more about Junior Great Books programs and how they support habits that strengthen lifelong learning, please enter your state or location below to schedule a meeting with your Great Books educational consultant. We will be happy to answer any of your questions and to help you get started with classroom materials and professional development!