Transcript Socratic Seminars: A Beginners Guide

Socratic Seminars
What is a Socratic Seminar?
A Socratic seminar is a way of
teaching founded by the
Greek philosopher Socrates.
Socrates believed that:
students learn best by asking
questions.
It is the teacher’s job to
moderate the discussion
instead of leading the
discussion.
Why do we have Socratic Seminars
• Socratic Seminars help us
engage a text in class.
• The thought process is
when we work together
to understand a text it
will help everyone’s
understanding.
How do we prepare for a Socratic
Seminar?
• The day prior to the
seminar you will be given
a Socratic Seminar prep
sheet. Your job is to
complete steps 1 – 4 for
homework.
• It is essential you read
the text and prepare
yourself with
important questions
and quotations.
What type of questions should I ask
during the seminar?
• There are three
levels of questions.
• You should come
up with a minimum
of 1 question per
level.
Level 1 (Knowledge Questions):
• Knowledge means being able to
show understanding by talking,
writing, signing, drawing.
Please use the following stems in
creating your Knowledge
Questions:
• Can you state, in your own
words?
• Can you describe?
• Can you defend your position?
• Can you summarize the
information?
Level II (Application Questions):
Application means
supporting your ideas
with evidence.
Please use the following stems
in creating your Application
Questions:
• Explain how …
• Explain why …
• Interpret the reasons …
• Compare and contrast …
• Connect and explain …
Level III (Synthesis Questions):
Synthesis means combining
or connecting two different
elements.
In terms of the Socratic
Seminar you will be connecting
two texts with each other OR
connecting a text to the outside
world.
Level III (Synthesis Questions)
Continued
Please use the following stems
in creating your Synthesis
Questions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Imagine …
What would happen if …?
Hypothesize …
Theorize …
Speculate…
How is Text similar to
Outside World?
What will the seminar look like?
• The classroom will be arranged in a
two concentric circles.
• You will be assigned to either
seminar A or seminar B.
• You will be assigned a partner in
the opposite seminar.
FOR EXAMPLE:
If I am in seminar A my partner will
be in seminar B
Mr. Sun-K will be facilitating, but
NOT participating in the seminar.
What’s the deal with partners?
If I am in Seminar B, I will be
sitting in the outside circle
taking notes for my partner
who is in the inner circle
participating in the Seminar
A.
Then we will switch. I will
participate in the seminar and
my partner will take notes for
me.
We will be switching notes at
the end of each seminar to be
used for Step 5 of the
Socratic Seminar Prep Sheet.
How does the discussion work in a
seminar?
• The seminar is to serve
as a discussion, not a
lecture. Just like in a
casual conversation, no
one begins the
conversation, a
conversation begins
naturally.
Seminar Guidelines
• Please listen and look at each
other when you speak.
• One person speaks at a time.
• Each person will have a
chance to ask a question.
• Respond to the person who
asks the question.
• Use evidence from the text
to support yourself.
• Always treat each other with
mutual respect.
How will I be assessed on the
seminar?
•
•
By completing the seminar prep sheet. (30 pts).
By contributing to the conversation following
these guidelines:
- Ask a question.
– Respond to a question.
– Cite evidence from the text.
• All three requirements:
• Two requirements:
• 1 requirement:
• No requirements:
30 points.
20 points.
10 points.
0 points.
What do we need to do after the
seminar?
• The last 5 - 10 minutes
of class on the day of a
seminar:
• Please complete step 5 of
the prep sheet using your
notes from your partner
as a reference. Please
staple your partner’s
notes to the back of your
prep sheet and turn it in
the “In-Box.”
Please stand for Think On Your Feet