1. Socratic Seminars – The Basics

2. 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.
Socrates taught Plato. Plato taught Aristotle, who is considered the father of teaching. Socrates was hung in a public square because he taught people it was okay to question and how to question.

3. Why do we have Socratic Seminars
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.
Help us understand something at a deeper level. No more “summarize” what happened in Chapter 2 kind of questions.

4. How do we prepare for a Socratic Seminar?
The day prior to the seminar you will be given a Socratic Seminar prep sheet.
It is essential you read the text prior to the Socratic Seminar in order to discuss the questions intelligently and thoroughly.

5. What type of questions should I ask the other speakers during the seminar?
There are three levels of questions.
You should come up with a minimum of 1 question per level.

6. Level I - Knowledge Questions
Knowledge means being able to show understanding by talking, writing, drawing.
Mostly happens through straight memorization.
Please use the following stems in creating your Knowledge Questions:
Can you state, in your own words…?
Can you describe…?
Can you defend your position?
Can you summarize the information?
For example, “what are the three colors on the American flag?”

7. Level II - Application Questions
Application means supporting your ideas with textual evidence.
Please use the following stems in creating your Application Questions:
Explain how …
Explain why …
Interpret the reasons …
Compare and contrast …
Connect and explain …
For example, “WHY were the specific colors of red, white and blue chosen to be on the American flag?”
Red – Blood, courage
White – Peace (white dove)
Blue – Freedom
These are derived from the morals and values of the country at that particular time.

8. 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.

9. Level III - Synthesis Questions (Cont.)
Please use the following stems in creating your Synthesis Questions:
Imagine …
What would happen if …?
Hypothesize …
Theorize …
Speculate…
How is Text similar to Outside World?

10. What will the seminar look like?
Inner Circle – Speakers
Outer Circle – Coaches
Everyone Else – a specific assigned task, like quote recorder, how many times a speaker speaks, etc.

11. What will the seminar look like?
The classroom will be arranged in a two concentric circles.
You will be assigned to either Inner Circle (speaker), Outer Circle (coach) or Outer-Outer Circle (task manager)
If you are a coach, then you will be assigned a specific speaker to support.
Ms. Hertel will be facilitating, but NOT participating in the seminar.

12. Socratic Seminar in Action

13. What’s the deal with partners?
If I am a speaker, then I can chose to use or not use the information my coach is providing. My grade will be based on how well and how wisely I speak.
If I am coach, then my job is to provide the speaker with supporting information (text evidence). My grade will be based on how much supporting evidence I provide, not whether or not my speaker uses it.

14. How does the discussion work in a seminar?
The seminar is to serve as a discussion, not a lecture. This is not a debate or a chance to state your opinion. It is simply a discussion.
Just like in a casual conversation, no one begins the conversation, a conversation begins naturally.
I will not provide the question you ask. You will.

15. Seminar Guidelines
Please listen and look at each other when you speak.
One person speaks at a time.
Each person will have a chance to ask a question, if applicable.
Respond to the person who asks the question.
Use evidence from the text to support yourself.
Always treat each other with mutual respect.
Opinions are neither right or wrong.

16. Socratic Seminar Norms
Listen ACTIVELY
Don’t raise hands
Stay open to change
Monitor “air time”
ALWAYS GO BACK TO THE TEXT
Give eye contact & use names

17. How will I be assessed on the seminar?
1st Daily Grade
Question Preparation for the Socratic Seminar – worth 60 points. No late work accepted . If you don’t have it, then it can’t patriciate effectively.
Exit Ticket after the seminar is complete – worth 40 points.
2nd Daily Grade
Actively participating in your assigned role during the seminar

18. What do we need to do after the seminar?
Write an Exit Ticket.
Debrief the seminar and list three different aspects of the seminar. What did you learn? How did you perform your assigned role?
Use the Las Vegas philosophy
“Whatever happens in the classroom, stays in the classroom.”
What did you like? What would you change? How did you change?

19. Think about this quote at lunchtime.