Socratic Seminars What is a Socratic Seminar A

Socratic Seminars

What is a Socratic Seminar? A Socratic seminar is a way of teaching founded by the Greek philosopher Socrates believed that: students learn best by asking questions. It is the teacher’s job to moderate the discussion instead of leading the discussion.

Why do we have Socratic Seminars • Socratic Seminars help us engage a text in class. • The thought process is when we work together to understand a text it will help everyone’s understanding.

How do we prepare for a Socratic Seminar? • The days prior to the seminar you will be given a Socratic Seminar prep sheet. • It is essential you read the text and prepare yourself with important questions and quotations.

What type of questions should I ask during the seminar? • There are four levels of questions (comprehension, application, synthesis, and evaluation). • You should come up with a minimum of 3 questions per level.

Level 1 (Comprehension Questions): • Comprehension means being able to show understanding by talking, writing, signing, drawing. Please use the following stems in creating your Knowledge Questions: • Can you state, in your own words? • Can you describe? • Can you defend your position? • Can you summarize the information? • Can you distinguish between…?

Level II (Application Questions): Application means supporting your ideas with evidence. Please use the following stems in creating your Application Questions: • • • Explain how … Explain why … Interpret the reasons … Compare and contrast … Connect and explain … Do you know another instance where?

Level III (Synthesis Questions): Synthesis means combining or connecting two different elements. In terms of the Socratic Seminar you will be connecting two texts with each other OR connecting a text to the outside world.

Level III (Synthesis Questions) Continued Please use the following stems in creating your Synthesis Questions: • • • Imagine … What would happen if …? Hypothesize … Theorize … Speculate… How is Text similar to Outside World?

Level III (Evaluative) Questions that make judgments. • Is there a better solution to… • Can you defend your position about… • How effective are… • How would you have handled…

What will the seminar look like? • The classroom will be arranged in a two concentric circles. • You will be assigned to either seminar A or seminar B. • You will be assigned a partner in the opposite seminar. FOR EXAMPLE: If I am in seminar A my partner will be in seminar B Ms. Connell will be facilitating, but NOT participating in the seminar.

How does the discussion work in a seminar? • The seminar is to serve as a discussion, not a lecture. Just like in a casual conversation, no one begins the conversation, a conversation begins naturally.

Seminar Guidelines • Please listen and look at each other when you speak. • Don’t raise hands • One person speaks at a time. • Each person will have a chance to ask a question. • Respond to the person who asks the question. • Use evidence from the text to support yourself. • Always treat each other with mutual respect.

How will I be assessed on the seminar? • • By completing the seminar prep sheet. (30 pts). By contributing to the conversation following these guidelines: - Ask a question. – Respond to a question. – Cite evidence from the text.

Please think on your feet

Texts Seminar A – “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe Seminar B – “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe

Useful Verbs for Question Starters Comprehension • • • Explain Interpret Outline Discuss Distinguish Predict Restate Translate Compare Describe

Application Questions • • Solve Show Use Illustrate Construct Complete Examine Classify

Synthesis • • • Create Invent Compose Predict Plan Construct Design Imagine Propose Devise Formulate

Evaluation • • • • Judge Select Choose Decide Justify Debate Verify Argue Recommend Assess Discuss Prioritize Determine