This course is available in the Fall only.
Description:
The Junior Great Books® program employs the method of interpretive
readings and discussion being known as the Shared Inquiry™ method. This
distinctive approach to learning enables leaders—the teachers and
Learning Coaches—to foster a vibrant environment in which a student
acquires the habits and strategies of a self-reliant thinker, reader,
and learner. Through their own curiosity and attentive questioning,
leaders serve as partners in inquiry with the student, helping him work
with other students to discover meaning in a reading selection and to
build interpretations. The process reaches its fullest expression in
Shared Inquiry discussion, where leaders and students think and talk
about an interpretive question that arises from a particular story.
Using LiveLesson® sessions, the student will interact with peers twice
during each unit for Shared Inquiry and presentation of personal
writing. Junior Great Books includes outstanding works of literature by
award-winning authors. Praised for their rich language and
international range, and chosen carefully for their ability to support
multiple interpretations, the stories in Junior Great Books capture
students’ attention and imagination and engage the best of their
thinking. Progressing in reading level, conceptual complexity, and
length throughout the series, the stories are the foundation for a
thoughtful process of reading, discussion, and writing.
Units:
The Banza
In this unit, your student will read "The Banza,"
a Haitian folktale. Your student will practice active reading by
marking passages with notes to indicate places where he is confused or
curious. He will practice his critical thinking skills when he marks the
story with questions during his second reading. At the end of the first
lesson, your student will participate in a Shared Inquiry™ discussion
of the story during a LiveLesson® session. In the second lesson, your
student will choose a writing assignment to complete that is connected
to the story. At the end of the unit, your student will share his
writing with his teacher and the other students during another
LiveLesson session.
The Man Whose Trade Was Tricks
In this unit, your student will read "The Man Whose Trade Was Tricks,"
a Georgian folktale. Your student will practice active reading by
marking passages with notes to indicate places where she has a question.
During her second reading, she will also practice her critical thinking
skills by marking passages where a character does something tricky. At
the end of the first lesson, your student will share her questions in a
Shared Inquiry™ discussion of the story during a LiveLesson® session. In
the second lesson, your student will choose a writing assignment to
complete that is connected to the story. At the end of the unit, your
student will share her writing with her teacher and the other students
during another LiveLesson session.
The Fisherman and His Wife
In
this unit, your student will read "The Fisherman and His Wife." Your
student will practice active reading by marking passages with notes to
indicate places where he has a question. During his second reading, he
will also practice his critical thinking skills by marking passages
where a character says or does something important. At the end of the
first lesson, your student will share his questions in a Shared Inquiry™
discussion of the story during a LiveLesson® session. In the second
lesson, your student will choose a writing assignment to complete that
is connected to the story. At the end of the unit, your student will
share his writing with his teacher and the other students during another
LiveLesson session.
Ooka and the Honest Thief
In
this unit, your student will read "Ooka and the Honest Thief,” a
Japanese folktale. Your student will practice active reading by marking
passages with notes to indicate places where she is making connections
to her own experience and knowledge. She will also practice her critical
thinking skills by marking passages to indicate places where the main
character is being fair or unfair. At the end of the first lesson, your
student will share her questions in a Shared Inquiry™ discussion of the
story during a LiveLesson® session. In the second lesson, your student
will choose a writing assignment to complete that is connected to the
story. At the end of the unit, your student will share her writing with
her teacher and the other students during another LiveLesson session.
It's All the Fault of Adam
In this unit, your student will read "It’s All the Fault of Adam,"
a Nigerian folktale. Your student will practice active reading by
marking passages with notes to indicate places where he is making
connections to his own experience or knowledge. During his second
reading, he will also practice his critical thinking skills by marking
passages to indicate the main characters motives. At the end of the
first lesson, your student will share his questions in a Shared Inquiry™
discussion of the story during a LiveLesson® session. In the second
lesson, your student will choose a writing assignment to complete that
is connected to the story. At the end of the unit, your student will
share his writing with his teacher and the other students during another
LiveLesson session.
The Monster Who Grew Small
In
this unit, your student will read “The Monster Who Grew Small.” Your
student will practice active reading by marking passages with notes to
indicate places where she is making connections to her own experience
and knowledge or where she has questions. She will also practice her
critical thinking skills by marking passages to comment on the main
character’s behavior. At the end of the first lesson, your student will
share her questions in a Shared Inquiry™ discussion of the story during a
LiveLesson® session. In the second lesson, your student will choose a
writing assignment to complete that is connected to the story. At the
end of the unit, your student will share her writing with her teacher
and the other students during another LiveLesson session.
The Selkie Girl
In
this unit, your student will read "The Selkie Girl,” a Scottish
folktale. Your student will practice active reading by marking passages
with notes to indicate places where he is using his senses to visualize
the story or places where he has a question. He will also practice his
critical thinking skills by marking passages which may have possible
multiple meanings. At the end of the first lesson, your student will
share his questions in a Shared Inquiry™ discussion of the story during a
LiveLesson® session. In the second lesson, your student will choose a
writing assignment to complete that is connected to the story. At the
end of the unit, your student will share his writing with his teacher
and the other students during another LiveLesson session.
The Mushroom Man
In
this unit, your student will read “The Mushroom Man.” Your student will
practice active reading by marking passages with notes to indicate
places where she is using her senses to visualize the story or places
where she has a question. She will also practice her critical thinking
skills by marking passages to comment on the main character’s perceived
preferences. At the end of the first lesson, your student will share her
questions in a Shared Inquiry™ discussion of the story during a
LiveLesson® session. In the second lesson, your student will choose a
writing assignment to complete that is connected to the story. At the
end of the unit, your student will share her writing with her teacher
and the other students during another LiveLesson session.
The Princess and the Beggar
In
this unit, your student will read "The Princess and the Beggar,” a
Korean folktale. Your student will practice active reading by marking
passages with notes to indicate places where he is using his senses to
visualize the story or places where he has a question. He will also
practice his critical thinking skills by marking passages which give
insight into the characters. At the end of the first lesson, your
student will share his questions in a Shared Inquiry™ discussion of the
story during a LiveLesson® session. In the second lesson, your student
will choose a writing assignment to complete that is connected to the
story. At the end of the unit, your student will share his writing with
his teacher and the other students during another LiveLesson session.
The Fire on the Mountain
In
this unit, your student will read “The Fire on the Mountain,” an
Ethiopian folktale. Your student will practice active reading by marking
passages with notes to indicate places where she is using her senses to
visualize the story or places where she has a question. She will also
practice her critical thinking skills by marking passages to comment on
the characters’ integrity. At the end of the first lesson, your student
will share her questions in a Shared Inquiry™ discussion of the story
during a LiveLesson® session. In the second lesson, your student will
choose a writing assignment to complete that is connected to the story.
At the end of the unit, your student will share her writing with her
teacher and the other students during another LiveLesson session.
Course Sets