Deliberate Questioning: Using Socratic Seminars to Develop Critical Thinkers Susan Baum, Ph.D. International Center for Talent Development

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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.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.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.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.It is essential you read the text and prepare yourself with important questions and quotations.

Socratic Seminar Entry Card Things that were interesting or confusing: My Question(s) 1.2.

KINDS OF QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTION: Write a question connecting the text to the real world.Write a question connecting the text to the real world. If you were given only 24 hours to pack your most precious belongings in a back pack and to get ready to leave your home town, what might you pack? If you were given only 24 hours to pack your most precious belongings in a back pack and to get ready to leave your home town, what might you pack? (After reading the first 30 pages of NIGHT). (After reading the first 30 pages of NIGHT).

CLOSE- ENDED QUESTION Write a question about the text that will help everyone in the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. This question usually has one right answer one right answer Example: What happened to Hester Pyrnne's husband that she was left alone in Boston without family? (after the first 4 chapters of The Scarlet Letter”

OPEN-ENDED QUESTION Write an insightful question about the text that will require proof and group discussion and "construction of logic" to discover or explore the answer to the question. Write an insightful question about the text that will require proof and group discussion and "construction of logic" to discover or explore the answer to the question. Why did Gene hesitate to reveal the truth about the accident to Finny that first day in the infirmary? (after mid-point of A SEPARATE PEACE).

UNIVERSAL THEME/ CORE QUESTION: After reading John Gardner's GRENDEL, can you pick out its existential elements? Write a question dealing with a theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text. Write a question dealing with a theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.

What will the seminar look like? The classroom will be arranged in a two concentric circles. Inner circle holds the discussion.Inner circle holds the discussion. Outer circle observes and records.Outer circle observes and records. Can switch half way through.Can switch half way through.

Topics for observation TALLYING PARTNERS RESPONSES AND KINDS OF QUESTIONSTALLYING PARTNERS RESPONSES AND KINDS OF QUESTIONS NOTICING WHO IS RESPONDINGNOTICING WHO IS RESPONDING COMMENTS FOUND INTERESTINGCOMMENTS FOUND INTERESTING GOOD LISTENINGGOOD LISTENING

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.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.Please listen and look at each other when you speak. One person speaks at a time.One person speaks at a time. Each person will have a chance to ask a question.Each person will have a chance to ask a question. Respond to the person who asks the question.Respond to the person who asks the question. Use evidence from the text to support yourself.Use evidence from the text to support yourself. Always treat each other with mutual respect.Always treat each other with mutual respect.

Stem Questions that Facilitate & Sustain Dialogue These stem questions are not only for the leader of the seminar but for participant use as well. It is a great idea to post the list in your classroom as a reference tool for students. At first, when students use them, they may seem a bit artificial; however, the more you make them a regular practice in your classroom, the more comfortable and automatic they will become for both you and your students. (SEE HANDOUT PP 4- 5)These stem questions are not only for the leader of the seminar but for participant use as well. It is a great idea to post the list in your classroom as a reference tool for students. At first, when students use them, they may seem a bit artificial; however, the more you make them a regular practice in your classroom, the more comfortable and automatic they will become for both you and your students. (SEE HANDOUT PP 4- 5)

How will I be assessed on the seminar? By completing the seminar prep sheet. (30 pts).By completing the seminar prep sheet. (30 pts). By contributing to the conversation following these guidelines:By contributing to the conversation following these guidelines: - Ask a question. –Respond to a question. –Cite evidence from the text. All three requirements: 30 points.All three requirements: 30 points. Two requirements: 20 points.Two requirements: 20 points. 1 requirement: 10 points.1 requirement: 10 points. No requirements: 0 points.No requirements: 0 points.

What do we need to do after the seminar? The last minutes of class on the day of a seminar:The last minutes of class on the day of a seminar: JOURNAL ENTRYJOURNAL ENTRY ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKED ABOUT THE SEMINAR AND WHAT YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF.ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKED ABOUT THE SEMINAR AND WHAT YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF.