1. Socratic Seminars

2. What is a Socratic Seminar?
A Socratic seminar is a way of teaching founded by the Greek philosopher Socrates.
Socrates believed that enabling students to think for themselves was more important than filling their heads with “right answers.”

3. The Vision of Socratic Seminars
Participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas through rigorously thoughtful dialogue, rather than by memorizing bits of information.
It is the teacher’s job to moderate the discussion instead of leading the discussion.

4. Why do we have Socratic Seminars
Socratic Seminars help us engage a text in class.
The thought process is when we work together to understand a text it will help everyone’s understanding.

5. What are Socratic Seminars?
A close examination of a subject with interchange of opinions and ideas -especially when open and frank and seeking mutual understanding.
Collective inquiry in which we suspend opinions, share openly and think creatively about difficult issues.

6. What are Socratic Seminars?
A dialogue about a text that usually range from 30 to 50 minutes in length.
An effective Socratic Seminar creates dialogue as opposed to debate.
Dialogue is "an interchange of ideas especially when open and frank and seeking mutual understanding."
It is a collective inquiry in which we suspend opinions, share openly, and think creatively about difficult issues.

7. What is the Difference between Dialogue & Debate?!
Debate Dialogue
Is oppositional
One listens to counter arguments.
Affirms participant's points of view.
Defends assumptions as truth
Creates a close-minded attitude
Is collaborative
One listens to find common ground
Enlarges points of view
Reveals assumptions for re-evaluation
Creates an open-minded attitude

8. What is the Difference between Dialogue & Debate?!
Debate Dialogue
Expects other’s reflections will improve their own thinking
Temporarily suspending one's beliefs
Searches for strengths
Respects others and seeks not to alienate
Assumes that cooperation can lead to greater understanding
Remains open-ended
Defends thinking to show that it is right.
Calls for investing in one's beliefs.
One searches for weaknesses
Rebuts contrary positions and may belittle others
Debate assumes a single right answer
Demands a conclusion

9. The 4 Elements of the Socratic Seminar
An effective seminar consists of four interdependent elements:
1. the text being considered
2. the questions raised
3. the seminar leader, and
4. the participants

10. The Text
Socratic Seminar texts are chosen for their richness in ideas, issues, and values, and their ability to stimulate extended, thoughtful dialogue.

11. The Questions Opening question has no right answer.
An effective opening question leads participants back to the text as they speculate, evaluate, define, and clarify the issues involved.
Responses to the opening question generate new questions
The line of inquiry evolves on the spot rather than being predetermined by the leader.

12. The Leader Plays a dual role as leader and participant
Helps participants clarify their positions.
Consciously leads a thoughtful exploration of the ideas in the text.
Involves reluctant participants while restraining vocal students.
As a seminar participant, actively engages in the group's exploration of the text.
Helps participants explore new interpretations.

13. The Participants Share responsibility for the quality of the seminar.
Most effective when participants:
Study the text closely in advance
Listen actively
Share their ideas and questions in response to others
Search for evidence in the text to support their ideas

14. How do we prepare for a Socratic Seminar?
The day prior to the seminar you will be given a Socratic Seminar prep sheet. Your job is to complete steps 1 – 4 for homework.
It is essential you read the text and prepare yourself with important questions and quotations.

15. What type of questions should I ask during the seminar?
There are three levels of questions.
You should come up with a minimum of 1 question per level.

16. Level 1 (Knowledge Questions):
Knowledge means being able to show understanding by talking, writing, signing, drawing.
Please use the following stems in creating your Knowledge Questions:
Can you state, in your own words?
Can you describe?
Can you defend your position?
Can you summarize the information?

17. Level 2 (Application Questions):
Application means supporting your ideas with evidence.
Please use the following stems in creating your Application Questions:
Explain how …
Explain why …
Interpret the reasons …
Compare and contrast …
Connect and explain …

18. Level 3 (Synthesis Questions):
Synthesis means combining or connecting two different elements.
In terms of the Socratic Seminar you will be connecting two texts with each other OR connecting a text to the outside world.

19. Level III (Synthesis Questions) Continued
Please use the following stems in creating your Synthesis Questions:
Imagine …
What would happen if …?
Hypothesize …
Theorize …
Speculate…
How is Text similar to Outside World?

20. What will the seminar look like?
The classroom will be arranged in an inner and outer circle.
You will be assigned to either the inner or outer circle.
You will be assigned a partner in the opposite seminar.
Inner circle = active participants
Outer circle = students observe partner for:
New ideas – Positive comments
Question asked – Negative Behavior
Referred to text – Side conversations

21. What’s the deal with partners?
If I am in the outer circle, I will be sitting in the outside circle taking notes for my partner who is in the inner circle actively participating in the seminar.
Then we will switch. I will participate in the seminar and my partner will take notes for me.
We will be switching notes at the end of each seminar to be used for Step 5 of the Socratic Seminar Prep Sheet.

22. How will I be graded on the seminar?
By completing the seminar prep sheet. (30 pts).
By contributing to the conversation following these guidelines:
Ask a question.
Respond to a question.
Cite evidence from the text.
All three requirements: 30 points.
Two requirements: 20 points.
1 requirement: 10 points.
No requirements: 0 points.

23. How does the discussion work in a seminar?
The seminar is to serve as a discussion, not a lecture. Just like in a casual conversation, no one begins the conversation, a conversation begins naturally.

24. Seminar Guidelines
Please listen and look at each other when you speak.
One person speaks at a time.
Each person will have a chance to ask a question.
Respond to the person who asks the question.
Use evidence from the text to support yourself.
Always treat each other with mutual respect.