FAQ

How is the shared reading selected?

Most students across the globe are over-extended with school work and activities. In order to make it easier on them, we select mainly short texts such as poetry, short stories, current event articles, and essays. We select novels only when the students of both the schools that are paired together have the extra time to read the long text (amidst their busy schedule). We give a lot of thought and time in selecting shared reading with themes that crosses borders, socioeconomic groups, and with an eye towrds a global audience. We have poets and authors representing different parts of the globe.

What are the different genres of shared reading?

Genres include poetry, essays, articles, short stories, novels. We like texts that provoke thought, have global significance and transcends borders.

Articles can be on current events such as climate change or political issues, or a well written pertinent newspaper article in any part of the globe.

How many students participate in a session?

We have had anywhere from 15 to 30 students from each school.

How long does a discussion last?

90 minutes.

What will it cost the school in terms of its time and planning?

Participation in the program has no monetary cost. All that is needed is a book and an internet connection.

Participation in terms of time has some minimal cost. Using short texts like a poem, story or essay minimizes reading time and is effective for discussion. If the students of one school are fully scheduled during a certain period, then they may select shared reading that is part of their school's curriculum as long as the paired school agrees to take on that reading.

How often are the discussions held?

3 sessions a year for each school, in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.

What else are the advantages of this program other than the obvious?

  • Access to an international community.
  • Building social and empathic brodges across the globe.
  • Opportunity to participate as global citizens.
  • Connections for students and schools
  • E-friendships.