Take out your essays. Prepare for conversation. Oh, snap! Where’s the snow??

Socratic Seminars – A Graded Conversation A socratic seminar is simply a whole-class conversation that is graded on several parameters. As this is a minor grade, you are only required to make one comment for a passing grade (75). To earn more points, you can propose questions, make comments, or respond to what someone else has said.

Socratic Seminar Rules Stick to the topic of discussion. The teacher will give an initial question for student responses. Anyone can begin the conversation. Make references to the text as the topics are discussed. Be kind. Monitor your time, don’t interrupt others and make comments that are respectful. Agree to disagree. Not everyone will agree with you, but you can attempt to understand the other side. Keep the conversation going. Teacher intervention will be minimal. Speak from “I Statements” only. Do not generalize/stereotype.

How you can earn points… Any of the following THREE will earn you a 100 for the day: A statement of opinion that shows how you feel about the content of the article. A personal reflection that shows you have connected with the article on a personal level Any questions regarding the article, besides the ones proposed prior to class Redirecting the conversation from an off-task comment or conversation strand Expanding or deepening the conversation based on the text Clearly demonstrating a leadership role in the conversation Encouraging someone with few points to speak up.

How to lose points earned… If you commit any of the following, you can lose points earned, or acquire a deficit… Not allowing someone to finish a sentence before interrupting Being over-dominant in conversation, by not monitoring airtime Any gesture of disrespect towards anyone in the room Any gesture of disrespect towards the particular matter of discussion Engaging in side conversations Creating off-topic strands of conversation

Now, let’s talk about the essay, “The Meanings of a Word”, Gloria Naylor As you reviewed this essay, you probably realized that a pejorative word was used with frequency, and discussed in a frank manner. Tomorrow, in class, I will allow the same with other such pejorative words, so long as they are used in an academic, professional, and mature context. Any violation of this will be considered a gesture of disrespect, and points will be deducted from your score. Why this essay? In To Kill A Mockingbird, this is a word used with some frequency. The word itself is not always used in a manner that is intended to be demeaning, but is considered always demeaning to some people. This is why we need to talk about it.

Let’s practice… I am about to show you the three discussion questions you will use for tomorrow’s seminar. You will practice speaking with the people at your tables ONLY. This is for those who are not accustomed to speaking out in class. You can check each other to make sure you are following the rules. You will have three 5-minute rotations. Each rotation should allow everyone at your table to speak at least once, with opportunity for a brief follow-up discussion. Clear your throats, guys…here they are.

Your Focus Questions Question #1: When Naylor uses the word “nigger”, she says that black women never called each other this in her experience, that other terms were used. The word, used in the singular, was used as a gesture of respect and hard work…but always with men. Why do you believe this is the case? Does gender affect groupings of people, just as much as race?

Your Focus Questions Question #2: In her essay, Naylor writes, “Words themselves are innocuous; it is the consensus [of a group of people] that gives them true power.” If this is true, there are many other words that are subject to this dynamic. USING YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE, describe how another word can be both a “bad word” and a so-called ‘honorable badge of identity.’

Your Focus Questions Question #3: When Naylor states that she first heard the negative connotation of this word as a third grader, she says she might as well have been called “a nymphomanic or a necrophiliac.” Why use these words? What point is she trying to make? Moreover, what is she trying to explain about how we interpret language, even when we don’t completely understand it?

For tomorrow… Be prepared. Some of you are not big talkers in class, but this is a grade. Don’t waste the points. Highlight sections of the essay you really want to discuss, and come to class ready to discuss them. Write your possible discussion notes on the essay itself. LACK OF PREPARATION WILL BE EVIDENT. Don’t get caught. Remember the “I Statements” rule. Be careful not to generalize or stereotype. You can always ask other classmates for clarification.