SOCRATIC SEMINAR

Where questions, not answers, are the driving force in thinking.

What does Socratic mean?

What does Socratic mean?

• Socratic comes from the name Socrates (470-399 BC), who was a classical Greek philosopher.

• Socratic comes from the name Socrates (470-399 BC), who was a classical Greek philosopher.

Socrates’ Theory of Knowledge

Best way to attain knowledge was through the practice of disciplined conversation and questioning

What is a Socratic Seminar?

a method that aims to create understanding through an in-class dialogue based on a specific text.

No clear right or wrong answers GOALS:

1. Seek deeper understanding of ideas/issues through dialogue, not debate

2. Enable students to think for themselves

BASED ON VIDEO, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE 4 ELEMENTS OF SOCRATIC SEMINARS ARE?

What is the difference between dialogue and

debate?

Complete your Venn Diagram or T-chart on dialogue and debate

for out Activity.

What is dialogue?

1. Collaborative2. About understanding 3. Listening for deeper meaning4. Re-evaluating assumptions5. Keeping an open mind6. About temporarily suspending beliefs7. Searching for strength or validity in all ideas8. About respecting all participants9. Exploring different possibilities10. Open-ended

What is debate?

1. Oppositional2. About proving others wrong3. Listening for flaws4. Defending assumptions5. Close-minded6. About defending beliefs7. Searching for weaknesses in ideas8. About belittling or demeaning others9. Having one right answer10. Demands a conclusion

Use a piece of blank paper to create your own “Piece of the Pie” foldable.

1. The Text 2. The Question

3. The Leader T 4. The Participants

4 Elementsof

Socratic Seminars

The TEXT

Stimulate thoughtful dialogue. Raises important questions for which

there are no right or wrong answers. Participants must support their

responses by referring back to the text.

The QUESTION

A Socratic Seminar opens with a question posed by the leader or participants.

No right answer and leads participants back to the text.

Responses to the opening question generate new questions, leading to new responses

The LEADER

Ask follow-up questions Help participants clarify their positions Help participants work cooperatively, not

competitively Involve reluctant participants and restrain

more vocal participants Ask follow-up questions Lead participants to use the text to support

their responses

The PARTICIPANTS

Study the text closely in advance Listen actively Share ideas and questions in

response to other participants Search for evidence in the text to

support their ideas

How are participants graded?

POSITIVE– 1. speak in the discussion – 2. refer to the text– 3. ask a new question– 4. respond to another

speaker– 5. move the conversation

forward with a new idea

– 6. demonstrate patience with others’ opinions

– 7. make connections to other speakers

– 8. ask for clarification when needed

NEGATIVE–9. interrupt another speaker–10. engage in side conversation–11. lean toward debate,

not dialogue–12. judge others’ ideas–13. are disruptive or argumentative–14. stray from the topic

• Not evaluated based on giving “right” answers or judged based on their opinions. • Participants are evaluated based on each time they…

What is inner/outer circle method?

This is a method in which some students are the participants in the inner circle and some students are observers in the outer circle.

It is not a chance for shy students to get out of participating in Socratic Seminar.

It is an opportunity for students to observe the behaviors of participants to learn from their observations and an opportunity for students to receive feedback about their participation.

All students will have a chance to be in both roles.