Maximizing Junior Great Books in Limited What I Need (WIN) Time

Many gifted programs operate within tight schedules, often fitting specialized programs like Junior Great Books^® (JGB) into limited time slots. Many teachers are required to use a school- or district-mandated curriculum and feel they do not have enough time for other programs. For schools with only 30 minutes of WIN (What I Need) time each week, it’s essential to make the most of this time. Teachers tend to spend most of this period with struggling students, so students at or above grade-level reading are not being challenged during WIN time. This is where Junior Great Books can help teachers.

All of the core activities can be completed in one class period if using a very short text or poem.

2. Cycle Shared Inquiry Activities

In the first class period, complete a cycle of the Shared Inquiry activities and prepare students for the next text. Each week after the first, the teacher will be working with two texts. One is discussed, and at the end of class, the one for the next meeting is introduced. See the chart at the end.

3. Encourage Expansion

While the structured WIN time is one way to support high-level readers, teachers should encourage students to explore JGB materials independently outside of that time. Use our online platform, Junior Great Books Digital Classroom, JGB Anthologies, and Readers’ Journals to help students explore texts and prepare for discussions at their own pace. Shared Inquiry and Junior Great Books foster a culture of reading and curiosity beyond the classroom.

4. Host Book Clubs or Discussion Groups

If feasible, organize informal book clubs or discussion groups that meet at lunch or after school. A book club allows students to engage with JGB materials more frequently, promoting deeper understanding and a sense of community among peers. These meetings can be student-led, making them more enjoyable and impactful.

5. Utilize Online Resources

JGB offers a range of online resources and activities that can complement the in-class experience. Teachers can assign short, engaging JGB-related activities that students can complete at home or during free periods. Using the Junior Great Books Digital Classroom allows students to work independently, which helps maintain engagement with the material throughout the week.

Embracing the Flexibility of JGB

Schools with limited WIN time shouldn’t feel pressured not to use Junior Great Books; instead, they can embrace the flexibility JGB offers. Whether it’s through integration into other subjects, independent explorations, or informal discussions, JGB can be woven into the fabric of students’ learning experiences in various ways.

1. Utilize Anthologies and Texts as a Whole Class Reading

Students benefit from exposure to rich, complex texts. The works included in the Junior Great Books anthologies expose students to a variety of genres (fiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry, drama, and informational nonfiction). All students can benefit from the read-aloud and sharing of questions that happens in the first session of the Shared Inquiry sequence.

2. Weave Inquiry Throughout the Curriculum

Shared Inquiry and the practice of asking open-ended questions don’t have to be limited to the ELA block. Teachers should be encouraged to find other ways to bring curiosity and inquiry to other subjects across the curriculum.

3. Provide Teachers with Professional Development

Teachers who learn the Shared Inquiry method in Great Books professional development courses find that the skills they develop and practice benefit them during WIN time and across subjects. They speak glowingly of our workshops and find that the strategies we teach often reignite their love of teaching and teaching reading.

Conclusion

While 30 minutes of WIN time may seem limiting, strategic planning and creativity can still make Junior Great Books a transformative experience for students. By focusing on quality discussions, integrating JGB across the curriculum, encouraging independent exploration, and using available resources, schools can ensure that their students benefit from this valuable program.