The Writing Component

As a natural complement to reading, writing extends the process of finding meaning in literature. Most sessions involve some form of writing activity. These activities range from brief assignments requiring only one or two sentences, such as the questions students write down after the first reading, to the longer Writing After Discussion assignments.

The Junior Great Books sequence of activities helps emerging writers succeed because throughout a unit, students formulate, revise, and refine their ideas orally before they write. Writing After Discussion assignments — both essays and creative writing projects — also provide students with ample support. Prewriting brainstorming sessions help the class generate ideas and get started; guiding questions help students through the composition process by prompting them to elaborate on their ideas and order their thoughts effectively.

By adapting or extending the writing activities to suit students' academic needs, schools can easily use the Junior Great Books program as the basis of a writing program that is coordinated throughout the elementary grades.

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