The Junior Great Books Program is a supplemental reading program whose main purpose is to increase students' appreciation and enjoyment of quality literature. The Junior Great Books reading series are collections of outstanding traditional and modern literature. Series Two through Nine include children's classics, folk and fairy tales, and modern short stories from cultures around the world (see attached Junior Reading Lists). The Junior Great Books Program involves interpretive reading of the author's words and the "shared inquiry" approach to discussions of these selections. It is hoped that this specialized approach to literature will increase your child's reading comprehension and enhance your child's enjoyment of reading.

Each student is asked to read a short story selection two times before the meeting time for discussion. In accordance with the rules of the program, no one participates in the discussion unless they have read the story. The discussion leader then asks interpretive questions dealing with a problem where students must give reasons for their answers. There are no right or wrong answers, however, each person's answer must be supported with information found in the text.

We would like to offer this program to students in grades 2 through 6. Since participation in this activity is optional and assignments are over and above classroom requirements, it is important that students are truly interested and genuinely willing to come to each discussion session properly prepared. Groups will be formed dependent upon student interest in participation. We would like to keep the size of the group to no more than ten students.How many discussion sessions are planned and when?

There will be approximately ten sessions scheduled. Each session will be held weekly and will last 30 to 45 minutes. Since our school begins at 9:00 a.m., we are planning before school sessions. All groups will meet at a specific routine location at Hunt Valley Elementary School.

Our wonderful PTA has voted to pay for our parent volunteers to be trained in this shared inquiry process.

As for the student texts, in the past, each student has been asked to purchase his/her own personal copy so that the student can feel free to underline, highlight or jot notes in the margin as needed. The charge for each student text is approximately $10.95 plus shipping and handling fees.

We hope that we have given you a general idea of what is involved with initiating the Junior Great Books Program again at Hunt Valley Elementary.

If you feel that your child would have an interest in participating in this optional reading program please, 
contact Sherri Chema, Reading Teacher, at (703) 913-8800.




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