1. Socratic
Seminars

2. What does Socratic mean?
Socratic comes from the name
Socrates  
Classical Greek philosopher who developed a Theory of Knowledge.

3. The Vision think for themselves
Socrates believed that enabling students to
think for themselves
was more important than filling their heads with “right answers.”

4. The Vision Participants seek a deeper understanding
of complex ideas through thoughtful
dialogue,
rather than by memorizing information.

5. What does it look like? Inner Circle and Outer Circle
Inner Participates and Outer Observes
Written Evidence (specific to text)
One Person Talks at a Time
No Put Downs and No Interruption

6. This is it

7. Dialogue is NOT Debate!

8. Debate Dialogue Is oppositional Is collaborative
One listens to counter arguments.
Affirms participant's points of view.
Defends assumptions as truth
Creates a close-minded attitude
Is collaborative
One listens to find common ground
Enlarges points of view
Reveals assumptions for re-evaluation
Creates an open-minded attitude

9. What is discussed? specific text
A Socratic Seminar is a method used to understand information regarding a
specific text
Participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas in text through thoughtful dialogue, rather than by memorizing bits of information.

10. questions The Text: You must use the text to help support your
claims and to raise:
questions
There are no right or wrong answers.
At the end of successful Socratic Seminars, participants often leave with more questions than they brought with them.

11. keeps the discussion focused on the text by
The Leader:
keeps the discussion focused on the text by
asking follow-up questions
helping clarify positions when arguments become confused
involving reluctant participants

12. Starting Dialogue
Students must risk making mistakes in order to learn how to learn to think critically, and work collaboratively.

13. 7 Guidelines for Participants in a Socratic Seminar
Refer to the text during the discussion.
Do not stay confused; ask for clarification.
Stick to the point.
Don't raise hands; take turns speaking.
Listen carefully and Speak up so that all can hear you.
Talk to each other, not just to the leader.
Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions.

14. Socratic Seminar Question
Is free speech….