Socratic Seminar

Ground Rules for the Socratic Seminar:  

Be present – physically and mentally

Take risks – challenge the status quo (the existing state of affairs, what’s currently popular)

Watch your air time – time is valuable! Say what you need to say succinctly!

Confront contrasting ideas respectfully

Listen for understanding

Procedure for this Seminar:

• At the beginning of class, have your response page ready with all questions answered (the q’s follow). This is a graded assignment.
• We will spend a maximum of 5-7 minutes on each question. After each question, you will have 1-2 minutes to jot down any thoughts that will help you when writing the reflection.
• Students will have an opportunity to read the question and share their responses.
• You are required to speak at least three times in the seminar. Types of comments you make should include:
• Analysis
• Think deeply about the text and discuss the original conclusions you come to.  Mention ideas you come up with pertaining to themes or issues in the text, or add your original thoughts to an issue someone else has brought up.
• Text
• Reference specific examples from the text that either support or disprove a claim being discussed.  Refer the class to the page and line you’re talking about.
• Reference
• Evaluate what others say and then either challenge or build off them.  Show that you are listening to your peers.
• Connection
• Apply the concept in question to areas outside of the text area.  How is the idea in question proven or disproven in your world?  Think of text to text, text to self, and text to world connections.

HW: Seminar Reflection

Reflection –  This will count as a HW grade and is due the class period after the seminar. Please respond to the following questions using specific examples and voices from the discussion.

• What’s the one thing you wish there had been time for you to tell the rest of the class?
• What did you learn from this discussion?
• What did someone else contribute that you found especially interesting/insightful? Who said it?
• How has your thinking changed/deepened/improved as a result of this discussion?
• What do you think of your own participation in this Socratic Seminar? How could you have improved your participation?