1. Asking Thoughtful Questions Student-Lead Socratic Seminar

2. Pre-Writing Seminar Before you come to a Socratic Seminar class, please read the assigned text and write at least one question in each of the following categories: 1. world connection question 2. Close-ended question 3. Open-ended question 4. Universal theme/ core question 5. Literary analysis question

3. World Connection Question This question connects the text to the real world. ex. How would you react to seeing someone rifle through your garbage? (after reading “On Dumpster Diving”)

4. Close-Ended Question This is a question that will help everyone in the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. The question usually has a “correct” answer. Ex. When did Eighner begin dumpster diving?

5. Open-Ended Question This is an insightful question about the text that will require proof and group discussion. The goal is to discover or explore the answer. Ex. Is Lars’ situation temporary? Or does he prefer to be homeless?

6. Universal Theme/ Core Question This question deals with the theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text (in other words, why is this text important to literature?). Ex. What does the author imply about the true nature social status?

7. Literary Analysis Question This question deals with HOW an author chose to compose a literary piece. How did the author manipulate point of view, characterization, poetic form, archetypal hero patterns, etc. Ex. How does the tone of the piece help establish trust between the author and the reader?

8. Homework for Seminar Day You will be required to read Act 3 for our next Seminar Day. Write 5 questions (one of each question) on index cards On the day of the Seminar, turn in your index cards when class starts Students who do not have index cards will not participate and will be required to write an essay while others participate in seminar The student leader will run the seminar. He/She will gather all of the cards and use them to lead discussion. Each time you respond during seminar mark your post-it with a tally. Once you have 5 tally marks, you must remain quiet or invite someone who hasn’t spoken to join the discussion.

9. Seminar Day Guidelines Be prepared to participate Don’t raise hands (student leader must keep control so that everyone has a turn) Invite others into the discussion Refer to the text, provide support for your answer by quoting the text Comments must be appropriate/ respectful/ focused Listen to and build on one another’s comments, summarize the previous comment before making your own.

10. Seminar Day Guidelines Talk to each other, not just to the leader Stuck to the point currently under discussion, make notes about ideas you’d like to come back to It’s ok to “pass” when asked to contribute Do not stay confused, ask for clarification Discuss ideas rather than each other’s opinions The teacher will not participate in seminar, unless asked

11. Evaluating Participation: Did you… sign clearly? cite reasons and evidence? use the text to support your ideas? listen to others respectfully? stick with the subject? Talk to each other, not just the leader? Paraphrase accurately? Support each other? Avoid hostile exchanges? Seem prepared?

12. Socratic Seminar Rubric See the rubric for information on how to get an A for Socratic Seminars

13. When do we start??? Our first Socratic Seminar will be on Wednesday! For the rest of today, keep working on your Crucible Layered Projects (due oct. 5 th !!!) Remember: Crucible Final: Oct. 5th