1. Socratic Seminars

2. What is a Socratic seminar?
An organized discussion forum to explore a universal question relating to a text
Participants are in two groups – observers and discussers. The roles switch halfway through seminar

3. The rules - discussers Fishbowl format
Only one discusser in the fishbowl talks at a time
Discussers may make whatever statement they wish. Must end with a question to the group.
Extra credit points if all discussers contribute
A tolerant, open atmosphere is maintained at all times – everyone’s viewpoint is valuable and welcome. This is a dialogue, not a debate.

4. The rules - observers Fishbowl format
Observers do not talk, but take notes
Observers: Please write three comments made you agree with and three that you disagree with
At the end of the discussion, observers are given a chance to discuss/critique discussers
A tolerant, open atmosphere is maintained at all times – everyone’s viewpoint is valuable and welcome. This is a discussion, not a debate.

5. Outer circle: Observers
Discussers
Inner circle
Outer circle: Observers

6. Socratic seminar preparation: Levels of questions
World connection question – Write a question connecting the text to the real world.
If you were given only 24 hours to leave your home town, what might you pack? (After reading the first 30 pages of Night)

7. Socratic seminar preparation: Levels of questions
Close-ended question – Write a question about the text that will help everyone in the class come to agreement about events or characters in the text.
These have right or wrong answers
Who, What, Where, When questions
Example: What happened to Hester Prynne’s husband that she was left alone in Boston without family? (After the first four chapters of The Scarlett Letter)

8. Socratic seminar preparation: Levels of questions
Open-ended question – What does it mean? You can find the answer in the text, but it requires justification.
WHY or HOW questions
Example: Why did Gene hesitate to reveal the truth about the accident to Finny that first day in the infirmary? (Mid-way through A Separate Peace)

9. Socratic seminar preparation: Levels of questions
Universal – why does it matter? BIG questions dealing with themes of the text with no one answer.
Why do humans create art?
Why do humans write books?
Why are people racist?

10. *Each seminar is worth a quiz grade, so be sure to participate!
Grading
Points can be earned for:
Making analogies
Spotting contradictions
Making a relevant point
Responding to a question
Drawing another person into conversation
Using factual or specific evidence
Asking a clarifying question or moving the discussion along
Points can be subtracted for:
-Not paying attention or distracting others
-Interrupting
-Irrelevant comment
-Monopolizing
-Personal attack
*Each seminar is worth a quiz grade, so be sure to participate!

11. Today’s Assignment:
Soc. Sem. Guiding Question: How does looking at another culture allow a person to learn more about his/her own culture?
Each person must write:
2 world connection questions
2 close-ended questions
3 open-ended questions
3 universal theme questions
***Use Anthem as your source text.