1. Socratic Seminar
“I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.” - Socrates

2. Socratic Seminar
Socratic seminars have rules that may not apply to other forms of discussion
Before we begin it is important that everyone is aware of the norms
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3. Rules Talk to each other, not to the teacher
Refer to evidence from the text to support your ideas.
Ask questions if you do not understand what someone has said, or you can paraphrase what another student has said for clarification. (“I think you said this, is that right?”)

4. Rules
Do not raise your hands to speak, but please pay attention to your “airtime” – how much you have spoken in relation to other students.
Don’t interrupt.
Don’t put down the ideas of another student. Without judging the student who you may disagree with, state your alternate interpretation or ask a follow-up question to help probe or clarify an idea.

5. Scientists argue, but they argue about ideas.
Accountable Talk
Scientists argue, but they argue about ideas.

6. Accountable Talk
In accountable talk, we increase our understanding and strengthen our reasoning skills by discussing ideas and linking them to reliable sources of evidence
Accountable talk will help you be a better think and problem solver, and will help you understand complex ideas

7. Accountable Talk in our class:
We can see and hear each other
We listen to each other without interrupting the current speaker
We build on each other’s ideas, making sure our contributions are relevant to the topic
We speak respectfully to one another, challenging arguments, not the speaker

8. Accountable Talk with info & evidence:
We refer to reliable sources of evidence and information
We question and check evidence that is offered by others
We can challenge the quality of each other’s assumptions, evidence, reasoning, or conclusions
Connect with knowledge previously gained

9. Accountable Talk & Logical Thinking
We work to connect evidence and inferences to identify the most plausible explanation
We seek and use credible facts
We examine evidence critically
We test our own understandings of concepts

10. Accountable Talk Sentence Starters
To add your thoughts:
I agree with ______________ because…
I disagree with ___________ because…
That reminds me of…
I predict…
I figured out…
I also noticed…
I’d like to add that…
According to the evidence, I think…
That idea doesn’t make sense because…

11. Accountable Talk Sentence Starters
To ask general questions:
I wonder why…
I have a question about…
I don’t understand…
How does that work?

12. Accountable Talk Sentence Starters
To reply to a previous speaker:
Say more about what you mean.
I don’t understand what you mean.
Where is the information that makes you say that?
Can you show where that is in the… text/data/illustration?
What is your evidence?
Why do you think that?
How do you know that?

13. Accountable Talk Sentence Starters
To help keep everyone on track:
We’re getting too far way from the topic.
How does that relate to the topic?

14. Accountable Talk & Incorporating Others
To incorporate others into the conversation…
What do you think, (name)?
I would like to know what (name) thinks?
I was wondering what (name) thinks about...

15. What will the Socratic Seminar Look like?

16. Procedure You have already read and annotated your article(s)
Half the class will discuss in the inner circle, while the other half observes in the outer circle
Inner circle, you must contribute your 2 cents to the conversation (put a penny in your cup each time you make an important contribution)
Outer circle, you must observe your partner and fill in your worksheet

17. Procedure
As your Do Now today you had to write three questions about the topic we are discussing
One person from the inner circle will be selected to begin by asking one of their questions
10 minutes of discussion
3 minute coaching session with your outer circle partner
5 minutes of discussion to wrap up and make final contributions
Switch – the inner circle becomes the outer circle and the discussion begins again