SOCRATIC SEMINAR WHAT IS A SOCRATIC SEMINAR The

SOCRATIC SEMINAR

WHAT IS A “SOCRATIC SEMINAR? ” The Socratic seminar is a formal discussion, based on a text, in which the leader asks open-ended questions. Within the context of the discussion, students listen closely to the comments of others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. They learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly. (Israel, 89)

STUDENT-FRIENDLY DEFINITION v Discussion about a topic v Formal and organized (rules and steps) v Listening and responding to questions v Being polite

GOALS: • To engage in dialogue, not debate, about abstract concepts • To be able to disagree politely with one another • To reason collectively and build on each other's ideas • To refine your abstract thinking and logical reasoning • To analyze a group discussion https: //www. teachingchannel. org/videos/usi ng-socratic-seminars-in-classroom

Checklist for Socratic Circle Name____________ Partner’s Name____________ Use check marks to show your partner’s activity. Politeness (please mark if they aren’t) Defends a point Speaks Introduces new question/point