1. Socratic Seminar

2. What Does This Mean? “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
~Socrates

3. What is a Socratic Seminar?
A dialogue where participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas
Participants evaluate ideas, issues, and values in texts
Participants share different perspectives

4. The Difference Between Dialogue and Debate
Dialogue is…
Debate is…
Collaborative
Oppositional
About understanding
About proving others wrong
Listening for deeper meaning
Listening for flaws
Re-evaluating assumptions
Defending assumptions
Keeping an open mind
Close-minded
About respecting all participants
Demeaning others
Exploring different possibilities
Having one right answer
Open-ended
Seeking a conclusion

5. The Set-up
½ of the class sits in the inner circle and participates while the other ½ of the class sits in the outer circle to observe and record the participation of their partners.
After about minutes, the roles are reversed and the discussion continues.

6. Role of Leader Moderate discussion.
Help participants rephrase questions for clarity.
Encourage participants to use the text to support their responses.

7. Preparing for the Socratic Seminar
Read the text carefully.
Highlight key ideas from the text.
Formulate level 1,2, and 3 questions.
Make connections between the text and your life.

8. During the Socratic Seminar (Inner Circle)
Participate. Participate. Participate.
Refer to text to support your comments or questions.
Take turns speaking instead of raising hands.
Discuss the text, not each other’s opinions.
Speak clearly.
Listen carefully.
Use Academic Language Scripts for Socratic Seminars as needed

9. During the Socratic Seminar (Inner Circle)

10. During the Socratic Seminar (Outer Circle)
Observe your partner.
Record your observations.

11. After the Socratic Seminar
Reflect on the process.

12. After the Socratic Seminar
Cut on the dotted line.
Give the completed Socratic Seminar Observation form to your partner.
Staple your Socratic Seminar Questions to the Socratic Seminar Observation form filled out by your partner.
Turn in the two stapled documents to your teacher.