So you think you can ask questions…

How to ask great questions in Socratic Seminar

Socratic Seminar Review

Allows you to be in charge of what you learn/discuss

A dialogue where participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas

Participants evaluate ideas, issues, and values in texts

Participants share different perspectives

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

~Socrates

Preparing for the Seminar

You will have a prep worksheet1. Read the text carefully.2. Highlight key ideas from the text.3. Find Quotes4. Summarize the text(s)5. Formulate level 1,2, and 3 questions.

Depth of Knowledge

Theory created by Norman Webb Analyzes the complexity of questions

and required thought for answers Gives a way to talk about how hard a

question is to answer Explained in Levels

Level 1: Comprehension

Recall/Comprehension› Facts› Terms› Simple Procedures

Have you done the reading? Examples:

› Locate a fact› Define› Summarize

Example Questions:

Can you identify the hero in The Underdogs?

Define the word part super-

Create your own example

Based off of your favorite Disney Movie create a DOK level 1 question below:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wait…when Roethler says to, have your neighbor check yours, and you check theirs.

On Your Seminar Prep Worksheet…

Go to Step 4 – DOK 1 Create TWO questions regarding

Master Harold…and the boys Wait…. Review your partners and have

them review yours.

Level 2: Skill/Concept

Requires a decision on how to approach the question or problem

Requires more than one step in the process

Examples› Identify and summarize events› Cause and effect› Prediction

Example Questions:

How would you compare Sam and Hally’s relationship at the beginning of the play to at the end?

Summarize your favorite Disney movie.

Create your own example

Based off of your favorite Disney Movie create a DOK level 2 question below:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wait…when Roethler says to, have your neighbor check yours, and you check theirs.

On Your Seminar Prep Worksheet…

Go to Step 4 – DOK 2 Create TWO questions regarding

Master Harold…and the boys Wait for Roethler… Review your

partners and have them review yours.

Level 3: Strategic

Requires a deeper understanding, using evidence and strong reasoning.

Can be complex and abstract Usually can have multiple answers, and

must be justified› Best for discussions

Examples› Compare and contrast› Analysis

Example Questions:

What do you think may have happened after the end of the play and why?

Do you agree or disagree with the statement “Moral Choices are essentially choices between values we learn from our families and culture and values we create later from our experiences in the outside world.” Use textual evidence to support your position.

Create your own example

Based off of your favorite Disney Movie create a DOK level 3 question below:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wait…when Roethler says to, have your neighbor check yours, and you check theirs.

On Your Seminar Prep Worksheet… Go to Step 4 – DOK 3 Create TWO questions regarding

Master Harold…and the boys Wait for Roethler… Review your

partners and have them review yours.

For the Seminar Tomorrow: Prep worksheet completed

› Or ALC and a non-participation grade Make sure you find your name tag Come in ready to think and discuss The desks will be in a circle Your assigned partner and location

(inner and outer seats) will be on the screen

Each group will have 20 minutes to discuss – so come prepared so you can get your points!