FOREDUCATORS

To expand awareness of Ayn Rand’s works and ideas in and outside of the classroom, we provide a variety of resources for high school and college students, teachers and professors.

Owner: Leonard Peikoff  |  Credit: Ayn Rand Archives

Program Overview

Ayn Rand’s dramatic and thought-provoking novels appeal strongly to young readers. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we provide free copies of Rand’s novels, along with guides for teaching them, to schools in the United States and Canada.



If you are committed to teaching Ayn Rand’s novels this academic year, we can provide a classroom set, free of charge. Supplies are limited. Priority is given to teachers who commit to having their students participate in our essay contests.



Questions? Write to us at education@aynrand.org. For information about our essay contest deadlines and other updates relevant to teachers, register here.

We have recently changed the web portal that teachers use to request a free set of books. Please create an account for this website by clicking “Register” at the top of this web page or “Sign In” if you already have an account. Once you have done that, please follow the steps below. You must be signed in on AynRand.org to apply:

  • 1. Click the “Request a Set of Free Books” button below.
  • 2. You will then be taken to our Free Books web portal. When prompted to complete the eligibility quiz identify yourself as an Educator.
  • 3. Next, click on the “View Programs” button.
  • 4. You will now see all the programs which you and your students are eligible to participate in. Create a submission for the Free Books program.
  • 5. Complete the Free Books application form.
REQUEST A SET OF FREE BOOKS

Program Purpose

Ayn Rand was a radical thinker whose deeply philosophical novels challenge students to reconsider their views on fundamental issues. The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, Anthem — these works have become classics of American literature that never fail to engage young people and stimulate intense classroom discussion. By offering these works for free to teachers, we at the Ayn Rand Institute hope to encourage greater awareness and understanding of Rand’s stimulating perspective.
 

7 GREAT EDUCATOR RESOURCES

for teaching Ayn Rand’s novels in high school
Teachers Guide to Novels 1

This free, downloadable teachers guide, published by Penguin and written by experts on Ayn Rand, covers both Anthem and The Fountainhead, subjects of the Institute’s two most popular essay contests.

The Fountainhead (course) 2

This video course provides a story overview and character analysis, background material on Ayn Rand and her times, and a detailed discussion of the main theme and related sub-themes.

Essay contests, big prizes 3

Are you teaching an Ayn Rand novel this year? Why not encourage your students to enter the Ayn Rand Institute essay contest on that novel, with a chance to win one of over 700 prizes totaling more than $130,000.

We the Living (course) 4

This video course provides a story overview and character analysis, background material on Ayn Rand and the era in which she wrote, and a detailed discussion of the main theme and related sub-themes.

Expert speakers 5

Would you like an Ayn Rand Institute speaker to visit your high school for a guest lecture, panel discussion, debate or other activity? We can even connect by videoconference for smaller events and classroom visits.

Anthem (course) 6

This video course provides a story overview and character analysis, background material on Ayn Rand and the era in which she wrote, and a detailed discussion of the main theme and related sub-themes.

Lesson plans & syllabi 7

 Whether you’re teaching an Ayn Rand novel for the first time or want to share lesson plans that have worked for you, our resources page collects materials tailored to each novel.

 

Program Information

  • “Ayn Rand is a great way to teach Economics, Government, Civics, and Sociology! Thanks for this opportunity!”
      — Social Studies Teacher, Peachtree Ridge High School

    “I work in a very small k-12 charter school. I and one other teacher are the English department. I would like to have Rand titles available for all grades to study. They are too relevant and too controversial for even one of these titles to be left out of rigorous classroom curriculum. Please accept my request for three sets of three titles.”
      — English Teacher, Collegiate Academy of Colorado

    “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to you and the Ayn Rand Institute for the prompt response to my request for the novels. I can’t begin to express how excited I am to introduce The Fountainhead to my students. Personally, it is my favorite novel; consequently, I am in great hope that my passion for the characters and themes will spark an individual quest for identity and a love for the work in my students. Again, thank you for the opportunity to engage my students on so many levels of critical thinking. May the coming year hold the very best for you!”
      — English Teacher, North Central Local School, Pioneer, OH


  • 1. You must be a middle school, high school, homeschool teacher or a principal to be eligible to receive the books.

    2. You must plan to teach the books within one year of their receipt.

    3. The books should be used for multiple years. They are not meant to be given to students for them to own.

    4. By ordering books, you agree to participate in an online survey to share your feedback on this program. Your valuable input will be anonymous, and it will help us further improve our program.

    5. Book titles will only be sent to the appropriate grade levels. The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged will only be sent to 11th- and 12th-grade classrooms. Anthem is available to grades 9 through 12.

    6. Books are shipped only to schools in the United States and Canada.

    7. If you have had to switch grades or schools and are no longer able to use the books, feel free to offer the books to other teachers at your school who may be able to use them. Please do inform us if you are passing the books to another teacher. We encourage you to reorder books at your new school or at your new position.

    8. Participation in our essay contests is encouraged but not a requirement for receipt of the books.

    9. Books donated by the Ayn Rand Institute are not to be sold under any circumstance.

    * All questions or special requests regarding the above should be sent to education@aynrand.org.

FAQ

  • How much does a classroom set of books cost me or my school?

    We provide review copies of the novels as well as classroom sets to teachers and schools at no expense. This is a donor-funded program with no financial obligation to you or your school.

  • Since I’ve never read Ayn Rand before, is it permissible to get a free review copy of one or more of her books before committing to teaching it in the classroom?

    Yes, you are welcome to order a free review copy of one or more titles.

  • Which novels do you offer and which novel is appropriate for my classroom grade level?

    We offer Anthem for grade levels 9 – 10; We the Living for grade levels 10 – 12; The Fountainhead for grade levels 11 – 12; and Atlas Shrugged for grade level 12. Note: During the 2014 – 2015 school year, We the Living will not be available for any grade level. We hope and expect to be able to offer We the Living again beginning in the 2015 – 2016 school year.

  • Must I have my students participate in the essay contest in order to receive a free classroom set of books?

    No, participation in our annual essay contests is not required to receive a free classroom set of books, but your participation is encouraged and appreciated! Receiving and evaluating essays helps us create more effective teacher resources for you, and the essay contests provide your students with an opportunity to further develop their critical thinking and writing skills. Of course, there are also the benefits of your receiving our popular teacher gifts and your students’ chance to win their share of the $90,000 in prize money awarded every year.

  • How long does it take to receive my shipment of books?

    Unless otherwise noted, all shipments are sent out approximately 3 – 4 weeks after they are ordered. You will receive an email from USPS with your shipment’s tracking number(s) when your order is shipped. To request an order be shipped sooner (or later) than that time frame, please email education@aynrand.org.

  • Is my school or classroom eligible to receive a free classroom set of books?

    All public and private schools are eligible, although the aforementioned grade restrictions and conditions apply.

  • Can I let students take notes in the books? Can I give students the books after they’re read?

    No, the books should be used for multiple years. If you have a special circumstance where you must write in them to use them, please contact education@aynrand.org with your special request.

  • As a grateful beneficiary of this program, is it possible to send along a special thank-you? To whom should I send it and how?

    Yes, it is possible to send along a special thank-you to the donor(s) who made this program possible in your particular area. All such correspondence should be sent to education@aynrand.org. To protect your privacy, your name, school and contact information will be removed unless you request otherwise.

  • I’m a librarian and would like a few copies for the school library. Am I eligible for this program?

    Yes, librarians are allowed to order up to three copies of each novel for their school library.

  • I don’t teach English, literature or language arts. Am I eligible for this program?

    Yes, you may order books for your classroom. There are no restrictions with regard to what subject or class the books are used for, as long as you plan to teach them within a year of placing your order.

  • Do you offer copies in a foreign language? How about large-print editions or hardback copies?

    Unfortunately, the only novels we are able to send to teachers are standard, mass-market editions.

  • I have a question not listed here. Whom can I contact for more information?

    Please send questions to education@aynrand.org or call 949-222-6550, ext. 259.

Further Reading

Robert Mayhew | 2005

Essays on Ayn Rand’s “Anthem”

An edited collection of essays on the historical, literary and philosophical aspects of Rand’s 1938 novella.
Buy the Book
Robert Mayhew | 2007

Essays on Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead”

An edited collection of essays on the historical, literary and philosophical aspects of Rand’s first best seller.
Buy the Book

Related Items