Socratic Seminar Take it seriously counts as a project grade

What is a Socratic Seminar? A Socratic seminar is a way of teaching founded by the Greek philosopher Socrates.A Socratic seminar is a way of teaching founded by the Greek philosopher Socrates. Socrates believed that:Socrates believed that: students learn best by asking questions. It is the teacher’s job to moderate the discussion instead of leading the discussion.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.

Benefits of Socratic Circles Advances critical readingAdvances critical reading Spurs critical thinkingSpurs critical thinking Improves discussion and listening skillsImproves discussion and listening skills Increases vocabularyIncreases vocabulary Provides student ownership, voice, and empowermentProvides student ownership, voice, and empowerment Allows students toAllows students to synthesize both the synthesize both the knowledge-base and the knowledge-base and the skills-base of the skills-base of the curriculum curriculum

How do we prepare for a Socratic Seminar? Utilize your Socratic Seminar prep sheet – this is homework.Utilize your Socratic Seminar prep sheet – this is 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. On the day of the seminar, your job is to answer the question of the day and to be prepared for class.On the day of the seminar, your job is to answer the question of the day and to be prepared for class.

What type of questions should I ask during the seminar? These questions should be critical thinking and higher level questions designed to get you to analyze, evaluate, and connect with the text.These questions should be critical thinking and higher level questions designed to get you to analyze, evaluate, and connect with the text.

Good Questions/Bad Questions What characteristic do all of the female characters of the play have in common?What characteristic do all of the female characters of the play have in common? Who are some of the characters in Frankenstein?Who are some of the characters in Frankenstein? What are some symbols present in the novel and what do they represent?What are some symbols present in the novel and what do they represent? When was Frankenstein written?When was Frankenstein written?

Levels of Questioning Level 1 – comprehensionLevel 1 – comprehension Level 2 – Interpretative – critical thinking question that requires evidence from the textLevel 2 – Interpretative – critical thinking question that requires evidence from the text Level 3 – Application – critical thinking that requires a connection between the text and the outside worldLevel 3 – Application – critical thinking that requires a connection between the text and the outside world

Level 2 - Interpretative - Explain how…- Explain how… - Explain why…- Explain why… - Explain the reasons why…- Explain the reasons why… - Compare and contrast…- Compare and contrast… - Connect and explain…- Connect and explain… - What was the problem with…?- What was the problem with…? - Can you explain what must have happened when …?- Can you explain what must have happened when …? - Imagine…- Imagine… - What would happen if…?- What would happen if…? - Is there a better solution to…?- Is there a better solution to…? - How would you feel if…?- How would you feel if…? - If you could create a solution…?- If you could create a solution…? - How many ways can you…?- How many ways can you…? Level 3 - Application

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. You will be assigned to either seminar A or seminar B.You will be assigned to either seminar A or seminar B. You will be assigned a partner in the opposite seminar.You will be assigned a partner in the opposite seminar. FOR EXAMPLE: If I am in seminar A my partner will be in seminar BIf I am in seminar A my partner will be in seminar B Ms. Ivery will be facilitating, but NOT participating in the seminar.Ms. Ivery 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.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.Then we will switch. I will participate in the seminar and my partner will take notes for me.

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.

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.

How will I be assessed on the seminar? By creating and answering 3 higher level focus questions (30 pts)By creating and answering 3 higher level focus questions (30 pts) By contributing to the conversation following these guidelines:By contributing to the conversation following these guidelines: –You must speak at least 3 times in the Socratic Seminar – each time you speak will be worth 5 points 3 times speaking (15 pts) 3 times speaking (15 pts) By completing the Socratic Seminar Observation form (5 points)By completing the Socratic Seminar Observation form (5 points) Total _________/50