1. SOCRATIC SEMINARS An Inquiry Strategy

2. Socratic Seminar Vision  Socrates believed that enabling students to think for themselves was more important than filling their heads with “ right answers ”.  Participants seek deeper understanding on complex ideas through rigorously thoughtful dialogue than by memorizing bits of information

3. What are Socratic Seminars?  Highly motivated form of intellectual and scholarly discourse  Usually range from 30-50 minutes An effective Socratic Seminar creates dialogue as opposed to debate

4. Four Elements  An effective Socratic Seminar consists of four interdependent elements: The text(s) being considered The questions raised The seminar leader, and The participants

5. The Text  The seminar text can be drawn from readings in literature, history, science, math, health, philosophy, current events, or from works of art or music  Texts are usually chosen for their richness in ideas, issues, values, and their ability to stimulate extended, thoughtful dialogue.

6. The Question  An opening questions has no right answer  It leads participants back to the text as they speculate, evaluate, define, and clarify the issues involved Responses to the opening question generate new questions The line of inquiry evolves on the spot

7. The Leader  Plays a dual role as leader and participant Leads thought exploration of the ideas in the text Actively engages in the group in the group ’ s exploration of the text  Helps participants clarify their positions when arguments happen  Involves reluctant participants w/their more vocal peers  Must be patient enough to allow participants ’ understandings to evolve  Must be willing to help participants explore nontraditional insights and unexpected interpretation

8. The Participants  Share responsibility for the quality of the seminar.  Most effective when participants: Study the text closely Listen actively Share ideas and questions in response to others Search for evidence in the text to support their ideas

9. Benefits  Time to engage in in-depth discussions, problem solving, and clarification of ideas  Building a strong, collaborative work culture  Enhanced knowledge and research base  Increased success for all students  Teaching respect for diverse ideas, people, and practices  Creating a positive learning environment for all students

10. Conducting a 3-4 Person Team  Strategy to use when you have a LARGE class (over 25 students)  Divide the class into “ Inner ” and “ Outer ” circles Inner Circle – active participants/speakers Outer Circle- students observe 2-3 active participants for:  New ideas, more questions (what about ?), and hand notes to their speaker using the text to further the conversation

11. Tips for the Seminar  Before the seminar: Read the text CAREFULLY (provocative questions, short passages, identify tough vocabulary) Highlight key facts and details that support key ideas/concepts raised in the text Choose some questions in advance (broad, open-ended, to engage conversation

12. Tips for Teachers  During the seminar: Begin with an opening question that has NO right answer  “ what is meant by… ”  “ what is your own interpretation of the reading? ’ Listen HARD, follow each answer with another question if necessary Keep students focused (clarification, paraphrase, insist on standards of rigor, etc.) Allow for pauses Take notes

13. Tips for Teachers  After the seminar: Conduct a debriefing  Have students write a reflection  Debrief the topic  Debrief the process Assess students  Assign a grade for performance  Many prefer to assign a culminating written assignment or essay

14. Happy Reading!