Introducing
a proven method to engage and motivate young learners!
We have brought our renowned Junior Great Books program online with the Junior Great Books Virtual Academy™ for grades 2–8. Students from all over the world are sharing how much they love the sessions!
Students are connecting with peers in an engaging and collaborative online environment, and taking part in lively discussions and varied interpretive activities led by experienced Great Books trainers. The JGB Virtual Academy provides much-needed English language arts content, prevents the erosion of gains students1 made in reading comprehension and critical thinking this year, and connects students to other students in a fun and friendly format.
Students will build essential skills through:
- Voicing their ideas and thoughts with their peers
- Engaging in civil discourse in a collaborative environment
- Hearing diverse ideas from their peers around the world
- Making and explaining inferences about a text or artwork
- Identifying evidence and explaining how it supports an answer
- Experiencing and learning from the guidance of our stellar expert trainers
The NEW Junior Great Books Virtual Academy strengthens skills in:

Critical Thinking

Reading Comprehension

Speaking and Listening

Writing
What Students, Parents, and Educators Have to Say
Online Student Discussions
Using the Junior Great Books curriculum, the Junior Great Books Virtual Academy combines works of art, short films, and interactive reading activities with student-centered online discussions to help students develop ideas, use and explain evidence, and respond constructively to their peers.
- Format: Four- and eight-week sessions where students meet for 60 minutes once or twice a week
- Price: $149–$329
Fall Virtual Academy Sessions Now Enrolling!
Join us for these fun new themes:
- Grades 2–3 — Bravery
- Grades 4–5 — Integrity
- Grades 6–8 — Fairness
Our focus will be on thinking critically and listening closely to each other while having fun. Sessions begin October 5th.
Coming Soon
- Winter Virtual Academy Sessions
- Year-round Virtual Academy Sessions


JGB Educators
Discussion Leader Training
Our training for educators prepares participants to begin using the Great Books Foundation's Shared Inquiry™ method of learning through reading and discussion with students at all levels. We'll share our tips and tricks for using inquiry-based learning to keep students engaged online!
Learn questioning strategies that keep discussions lively and focused while improving students':
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thinking strategies
- Writing skills
- Verbal communication
Through a variety of training courses, educators develop the craft of writing interpretive questions and using follow-up questions to involve students of all ages and proficiency levels. Learn how interpretive activities support student learning and meet state and district standards.
Introductory Online Training
- This training will prepare you to implement a Junior Great Books program with your students. The course includes two 2-hour interactive webinar sessions and 4 hours of self-paced online learning modules.
- Duration: 4 hours live + 4 hours independent learning
- Cost: $275 per person
Intermediate and Advanced Online Training
- Increase the effectiveness of inquiry-based teaching and learning. Offered courses: The Power of Student Questions, The Close-Reading Process, Shared Inquiry Advanced Review, and more. We also arrange custom courses to meet your needs!
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Cost: $85 per person2
Parents & Adults
Discussion Leader Training
We offer training for parents, volunteers, and adult program leaders conducting group discussions.
Workshops are interactive and hands-on, and they include:
- Demonstrations of inquiry-based reading strategies and discussions
- Reflection on the elements and benefits of the Shared Inquiry activity sequence
- Introduction to and practice with using follow-up questions to deepen students’ thinking
- Time for questions about implementation and troubleshooting
How to Lead Online Discussions
- This two-part webinar prepares participants to begin conducting Shared Inquiry™ discussions as volunteer Great Books leaders. This course is not open to teachers. This webinar prepares participants to lead discussions online and in-person.
- Duration: 4 hours (two 2-hour sessions)
- Cost: $99 per person
1 | According to a new report by the Northwest Evaluation Association, students could be losing up to 30% of reading gains made during the past year due to coronavirus-related school closures. |
2 | Costs for custom courses may differ. Please contact your Great Books educational consultant to arrange your custom course. |