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.

What type of questions should I ask during the seminar? There are three levels of questions.There are three levels of questions. You should come up with a minimum of 1 question per level.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.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,Can you state, in your own words? Can youCan you describe? your position?Can you defend your position? the information?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 …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 …Imagine … What would happen if …?What would happen if …? Hypothesize …Hypothesize … Theorize …Theorize … Speculate…Speculate… How is Text similar to Outside World?How is Text similar to Outside World?

What will the seminar look like? The classroom will be arranged in a two concentric circles.The classroom will be arranged in a two concentric circles. If you sit in the center circle first you will begin the class with the speaking portion of the seminar.If you sit in the center circle first you will begin the class with the speaking portion of the seminar.

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. Invite each other into the conversation.Invite each other into the conversation. 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.

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.

Things to Keep in Mind Refer to the text when needed during the discussion. A seminar is not a test of memory. You are not "learning a subject"; your goal is to understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in the text.Refer to the text when needed during the discussion. A seminar is not a test of memory. You are not "learning a subject"; your goal is to understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in the text. It's OK to "pass" when asked to contribute.It's OK to "pass" when asked to contribute. Do not participate if you are not prepared. A seminar should not be a bull session.Do not participate if you are not prepared. A seminar should not be a bull session. Do not stay confused; ask for clarification.Do not stay confused; ask for clarification. Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to.Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to. Don't raise hands; take turns speaking.Don't raise hands; take turns speaking. Listen carefully.Listen carefully. Speak up so that all can hear you.Speak up so that all can hear you. Talk to each other, not just to the leader or teacher.Talk to each other, not just to the leader or teacher. Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions.Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions. You are responsible for the seminar, even if you don't know it or admit it.You are responsible for the seminar, even if you don't know it or admit it.

Dialogue is characterized by: suspending judgmentsuspending judgment examining our own work without defensivenessexamining our own work without defensiveness exposing our reasoning and looking for limits to itexposing our reasoning and looking for limits to it communicating our underlying assumptionscommunicating our underlying assumptions exploring viewpoints more broadly and deeplyexploring viewpoints more broadly and deeply being open to disconfirming databeing open to disconfirming data approaching someone who sees a problem differently not as an adversary, but as a colleague in common pursuit of better solution.approaching someone who sees a problem differently not as an adversary, but as a colleague in common pursuit of better solution.

Expectations of Participants in a Socratic Seminar When I am evaluating your Socratic Seminar participation, I ask the following questions about participants. Did they…. Speak loudly and clearly?Speak loudly and clearly? Cite reasons and evidence for their statements?Cite reasons and evidence for their statements? Use the text to find support?Use the text to find support? Listen to others respectfully?Listen to others respectfully? Stick with the subject?Stick with the subject? Talk to each other, not just to the leader?Talk to each other, not just to the leader? Paraphrase accurately?Paraphrase accurately? Ask for help to clear up confusion?Ask for help to clear up confusion? Support each other?Support each other? Avoid hostile exchanges?Avoid hostile exchanges?

What do we need to do after the seminar? Please complete step 5 of the prep sheet.Please complete step 5 of the prep sheet. Not necessary for this first session.Not necessary for this first session.