Socratic Seminar Inquiry Based Learning

Who was Socrates? Philosophize, Dude

Who was Socrates? Ancient Greek philosopher who said that the only thing he knew was that he knew nothing – Socratic Irony Taught using inquiry, or questions – students would spend hours probing philosophical questions. Socrates believed that the unexamined life was not worth living.

What do we know of Socrates? He was a good man who lived a moral life but angered the leaders by his probing questions. He taught by question – he did NOT give his students answers, but questions. Instead, he would further question students about their beliefs. Plato and many other important Greeks were his students.

So, what is a Socratic seminar? Discussion based on open-ended questions designed to get students thinking independently about a topic or reading. Questions are designed to get students thinking independently and deeply about the text.

What does it look like? Won't you Be My Neighbor This is NOT a Debate, it’s a Discussion Socrates used questions, not arugment, to focus his students. This will do the same Therefore, we will use the following criteria for your assessment in this seminar: Conduct, Leadership, Reasoning, Listening, Reading.

Conduct A 10/10 conduct score is for the student who is enthusiastic, shows good manners, is engaged, is disciplined and is generally a “good neighbor.”

Losing Conduct Points Conduct Points will be deducted for these types of behaviors: Leaving during a seminar to use the lav or get water. Saying something rude or judgmental. Having a side conversation with somebody near you. Slouching in your desk, making faces while students speak, etc. Making it seem like you don’t care about the seminar – comments like, “This is stupid” Not having text, paper and pen out to take notes while others speak

Leadership A 10/10 leadership score is for the student who takes responsibility for seminar’s progress, focuses and refocuses thought, provides others with feedback, invites others to speak. Don’t make teacher ask “Hey, guys, I have a question..” “Did any of you think…”

Losing Leadership Points Leadership Points will be deducted for these types of behaviors: Cutting off people Dominating people Not allowing quiet students to get into the conversation Sitting back and not participating Allowing a seminar to stay “dead” and waiting for the teacher to refocus the class.

Reasoning A 10/10 score is for the student who understands the seminar question, makes logical comments, uses the text to make point, clarifies ideas and asks insightful questions. These students will have excellent seminar preparations that include textual citations and a strong consideration of the question.

Losing Reasoning Points Reasoning Points will be deducted for these types of behaviors: Not understanding the question – ask teacher for clarification before seminar. Answering the question only simply and obviously. Being plain wrong about the text. Asking questions that are clearly not related to the question or to the comments made by others. Making points that are disconnected or show little thought. Simply talking to be heard – not having anything to say but speaking anyway.

Listening A 10/10 score is reserved for the student who is attentive, referring specifically to earlier ideas. This student takes notes as others speak. “Hey, Joe, when you said this earlier, did you mean….” “I want to go back to what Suzie just said…”

Losing Listening Points Listening points will be deducted for these types of behaviors: Dominating the conversation –you can’t listen if you are always speaking Repeating a point already made without adding new insight Talking to somebody else when a classmate is speaking. Not reading along as a student reads a passage from the text.

Reading A 10/10 score is reserved for the student who is familiar with the text, has underlined/tabbed text, refers to particular lines in the text, comes prepared with questions and ideas This is text-based. At least SOME of your comments need to refer back to the text….

Losing Reading Pints Reading points will be deducted for these types of behaviors: Not referring to the text EVER Referring only to the text in a general or superficial way, or repeating only details already presented in the seminar Being wrong about the text Not having the text with you. Not having seminar prep done

Our goal Is to have this be STUDENT centered – the teacher is the outsider, the observer. You are in control of your own learning. Is to have you talk thoughtfully about the text and about its relevancy or implications to your own life and experiences. For you to listen to what everyone else has to say – creating a community of learners. GOAL

Let’s Practice Listen to the story I read. Pretend this is a text you will use for a seminar. The question is: How does the adult world get in the way of childhood innocence. Take a sheet of paper and fold it in half. In one half, record the obstacles the children face in the story and the role of the adults in the story. On the other half, record what obstacles from the story still exist in today’s world and how the adults in the story may represent grown ups today.