Socratic Seminar Lord of the Flies William Golding

Socratic Seminar Lord of the Flies William Golding Grade 10 Gentry

Warm up �How can we benefit from a panel of people working to solve an issue? �Use one of these sentence frames to answer your question: �A. By involving multiple people in a decision, _________ �B. We can benefit from having a panel of people work on an issue by _________. �C. Problems can be solved by a panel of people better than single individuals because _________.

Socratic Seminar �Where students are free to explore a text on their own terms, using their own ideas and enhancing their own skills, in quest to develop greater understanding and knowledge!

What is a Socratic Seminar? �A Socratic Seminar is a student-led discussion that is based on an "essential question. " �Socrates, an Athenian philosopher born in 469 BC, is credited with formulating this method of discussion. �Encouraging participants to sit in a circle, Socrates would draw knowledge from the group by presenting a series of deeply philosophical questions. �A seminar consists of four elements: a text, essential questions, a leader, and active participants.

Our essential questions � 1. Is Golding right? Do all human beings have the capacity to be evil, particularly when they are empowered as part of a group? � 2. What does society offer humanity? � 3. How does Golding use figurative language to communicate their personal or political beliefs to the reader?

What are you responsible for? � Refer to the text when needed during the discussion. A seminar is not a test of memory. You are � � � � � not "learning a subject"; your goal is to understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in the text. Ask questions about the reading or issues related to the reading. Ask for clarification of something you don’t understand. Make judgments that can be defended with the text. Locate facts and examples that can be cited as evidence for an argument. Connect the reading to the real world It's OK to "pass" when asked to contribute. Do not participate if you are not prepared. A seminar should not be a bull session. Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to. Move the seminar forward—avoid repetitions. Listen attentively and patiently. Exhibit mature behavior with patience and self-control. Speak up so that all can hear you. Talk to each other, not just to the leader or teacher. Be aware of time in terms of how long you speak and in terms of the needs of others to speak Use specific examples when you speak and avoid generalizations. Avoid speaking for the group; use “I statements” when possible. Avoid interrupting someone when he or she is speaking and avoid side conversations.

How you will be graded… � Come to the seminar prepared with five excellent discussion questions, three essential quotes from the chapter, and an annotated (marked) copy of Lord of the Flies (10 points. ) � Participate five times in a meaningful way during the seminar. To participate in a meaningful way means to make a comment, make a connection to the text, ask a question that builds on what other participants are saying (25 points) � Being an academic participant (15 points). Do you… *Speak loudly and clearly? *Listen to others respectfully? *Stick with the subject? *Avoid inappropriate language (slang, technical terms, sloppy diction, etc. )? *Seem prepared/interested?

Role Play Bad example of a Socratic Seminar � 1: Yes it should! Pauly D is soooo hot! � 2: I agree! � 3: You are so stupid! Pauly D is so not cool. And what's up with the meatball thing? � 4: I know. Like who wants to be called a meatball. � 1: It's a cute name! � 2: Too bad Vinny had to leave the show. He was soooooo funny. � 3: Well, Mike is gross and Deenna looks like she smells bad. � 4: Seriously! And how do they not get spray tan on everything they own? � 3: And have you seen that other show?

Good example 1: I hold the opinion that Jersey Shore is a good show to have on TV. The show was created to provide entertainment. If one were to only look at it from an entertainment point of view, then no harm can be done. 2: I hear what you are saying, but I have wonder what would happen if the person watching the show thought it was a REAL demonstration of their lives. I think that the cast is a bad example of how to conduct oneself and if impressionable teens are watching the show, their ideas of right and wrong could be blurred. For example, the cast is ALWAYS partying and drinking excessively. 3: I agree with person number 2. The way the boys on the show treat and view women is extremely degrading. I think that people, especially teens, who believe that the way the Jersey Shore cast lives is appropriate and realistic, can be poorly misguided in their own future. 4: I also agree with person #2. I have to wonder: How do people make sure they aren't badly influenced by the show? What I mean is, do we always know when things are influencing us? 1: If people don't like the show they have the choice to not watch it. Furthermore, if parents don't want their children to watch it, they can block it. Can we really tell television stations what to show and what not to show? Are we imposing on their freedom? 4: Aren't we imposing on children's freedom if they are being influenced blindly? 2: In addition, how many parents actually pay attention to what their children watch?

With a neighbor, compare/contrast the two examples.

Breakdown �The first example: Judgments Arguments have NO depth Slang Goes off topic *The second example: Academic arguments Clear voice No judgments…discussion rather than argument

DSAT REVIEW � THEME of a passage: if you can’t figure it out, look at the first and last paragraphs of the passage. � His response was invitation enough � Pessimism � Connotation-abuse � #9 -B � Vexing � Irony- sarcastic, not meaning exactly what you say � Example: Jack saying at the beginning of the novel, “we’re not savages. We’re English and the English are the best…” � Tourniquet- device to stop bleeding � Why would an author include bold headings? � Draw a conclusion- make a decision (if my friend made a funny face when I suggested going to the movies, could draw the conclusion that she doesn’t want to go. ) �

�International feat- achievement �It will be completed in a flash- what do I mean by “in a flash”?

�We spent hours making dinner. This was after we did all the shopping. �After we did all the shopping, we spent hours making dinner. �By the time the family arrived, I (ate, had eaten, will have eaten, had ate) all my food. �My students, as well as my dad, (was, were, has been, is being) happy with the lesson. �Who v. whom= simple as he v. him �Example: The person _____ I gave the pass to, lost it. �My sister turned the radio on wearing he favorite dance shoes. (wearing her favorite dance shoes, my sister turned the radio on. ) �Wanting to have a new car is being talked about a lot by teenagers. (what is wrong with this? ? ? )

�What is the best revision? Eliminate the passive voice sentences…anyone remember what the trick is for identifying passive voice? �Change this sentence to active voice: �However, it was learned by the students that studying for their final would increase their chances of getting a good grade.