Registration for Junior Great Books
Story Lists:
What IS Junior Great Books Anyway?
You’ve heard of it but maybe you’re not quite sure what it is. You’ve wanted to ask your neighbor at the bus stop but just haven’t had a chance. You’ve noticed a reference to it in E-News but don’t really know what it means. Here’s the 411…
What is it? Junior Great Books (JGB) is a PTA-sponsored after school enrichment activity for students in 1st through 5th grade.
When does my student go to Junior Great Books? Small groups meet once a week after school for just over an hour for 8 weeks beginning the week of February 8, 2010 and ending before spring break.
What goes on during Junior Great Books? Adult volunteers guide students through a discussion about their assigned story and coordinate activities related to the story. Students get to share their ideas and opinions in groups of 8 to 10 students.
What does my student read? Students read stories from a student anthology put together by the Junior Great Books Foundation. The Foundation has selected stories based on age appeal, literary merit, interpretive depth and feature literature from a variety of cultures. The literature has been especially chosen to challenge children of all ages, spark their ideas, and promote thoughtful discussion.
What will my student have to do to get ready for his weekly discussion? Your child will need to read the story at least two times. (Hmmm…what a good way to get in that 20 minutes of reading that your teacher recommends.)
Why would I want my child to participate? Shh! Don’t tell you students but JGB improves their reading comprehension skills, helps their critical thinking, builds their vocabulary and helps them see how one story can be interpreted many different ways. Think too how it will help prepare them for the CRCT in April.
Why would my child want to get involved? It’s fun to be able to share their thoughts about what they’ve read with their peers (and the snacks are good too.)
How can I get involved? The JGB program cannot exist without adult leaders to take the students on their literary adventure! Please sign up to lead a group. No experience is necessary and training will be provided.
Read. Think. Discuss. Grow.
Don’t miss out!
For more information on the Junior Great Books Foundation, go to the Foundation website at www.greatbooks.org.