Can homeschooled students participate in The Great Thanksgiving Listen?

Yes! Homeschool families are an important part of The Great Listen, and it’s easy to take part! Here’s how you can guide your student through the project:

Step 1: Get the Toolkit

Visit thegreatlisten.org and download the Teacher Toolkit. It’s designed for classrooms but works great at home by adapting the activities to fit your schedule and the learning style of the students you're supporting.

Step 2: Prepare Your Interview

With your student, choose someone they’d like to interview. Some great examples include interviewing a grandparent, family friend, or community member. Use the toolkit’s questions, or create your own.

Step 3: Record Your Conversation

Use the StoryCorps App, StoryCorps Connect, or another recording method, and then manually upload the file to collect and archive the conversation. Encourage your student to listen closely and let the conversation flow naturally.

Step 4: Publish the Story

When you upload the conversation to the StoryCorps website and our archive at the Library of Congress:

Enter your chosen keywords, plus TheGreatListen, in the General Keywords field.
Add your state abbreviation (for example: AK, CA, TX) in the Places field.
Select JOIN A PROGRAM and choose The Great Listen to add your interview to our collection from this year.

Step 5: Celebrate & Share

Take the time to reflect on the experience. Students can write about what they learned, share the recording with family, or add it to a homeschool portfolio.