2. Socratic Seminars

3. 9 Guidelines for Participants in a Socratic Seminar 1. Refer to the big idea during the discussion. 2. It's OK to pass when asked to contribute. 3. Do not stay confused; ask for clarification. 4. Stick to the point. 5. Don't raise hands; take turns speaking. 6. Listen carefully. 7. Speak up so that all can hear you. 8. Talk to each other, not just to the leader. 9. Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions.

4. Sample questions that demonstrate constructive participation in Socratic Seminars. Here is my view and how I arrived at it. How does it sound to you? Here is my view and how I arrived at it. How does it sound to you? Do you see gaps in my reasoning? Do you see gaps in my reasoning? Do you have different data? Do you have different data? Do you have different conclusions? Do you have different conclusions? How did you arrive at your view? How did you arrive at your view? Are you taking into account something different from what I have considered? Are you taking into account something different from what I have considered?

5. Socratic Seminars

6. What does Socratic mean? Socratic comes from the name Socrates Socrates Classical Greek philosopher who developed a Theory of Knowledge. As identified in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

8. What was Socrates' Theory of Knowledge? Socrates was convinced that the surest way attain reliable knowledge was through the practice of disciplinedconversation He called this method dialectic.

9. What does dialectic mean? di-a-lec-tic (noun) means the art or practice of examining opinions or ideas logically, often by the method of Question and Answer so as to determine their validity. so as to determine their validity.

10. How did Socrates use the dialectic? He would begin with a discussion of the obvious aspects of any problem problem Socrates would feign ignorance about a subject and try to draw out from the other person his fullest possible knowledge about it. fullest possible knowledge about it.

11. What is a Socratic Seminar? A Socratic Seminar is a method used to understand information by creating dialectic in class regarding a Big idea Participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas in text through rigorous thoughtful dialogue, rather than by memorizing bits of information.

12. The Text: Socratic Seminars are used for richness in ideas, issues, values and their ability to stimulate dialogue. A good big idea raises important questions questions There are no right or wrong answers. At the end of successful Socratic Seminars, participants often leave with more questions than they brought with them.

13. The Question: A Socratic Seminar opens with a Question posed by the leader or solicited from participants as they acquire more experience in seminars. Responses to the opening question generate new questions from the leader and participants, leading to new responses.

14. The Leader: In a Socratic Seminar, the leader plays a dual role as Leader and Participant Keeps the discussion focused on the text by asking follow-up questions asking follow-up questions helping clarify positions when arguments become confused helping clarify positions when arguments become confused involving reluctant participants involving reluctant participants

15. The Leader: As a seminar participant, the leader actively engages in the group's exploration of the BIG IDEA BIG IDEA To do this effectively, the leader must know the text well enough to anticipate varied interpretations and recognize important possibilities

16. The Participants In a Socratic Seminar, participants carry the burden of responsibility for the of the seminar. of responsibility for the quality of the seminar. There are three ways to do this: Studying StudyingParticipatingSharing

17. Expectations of Participants Did I….. Speak loudly and clearly? Speak loudly and clearly? Cite reasons and evidence for my statements? Cite reasons and evidence for my statements? Use the text to find support? Use the text to find support? Listen to others respectfully? Listen to others respectfully? Stick with the subject? Stick with the subject? Talk to others, not just to the leader? Talk to others, not just to the leader? Paraphrase accurately? Paraphrase accurately? Avoid inappropriate language? Avoid inappropriate language? Ask questions to clear up confusion? Ask questions to clear up confusion? Support others? Support others? Avoid hostile exchanges? Avoid hostile exchanges? Question others in a civil manner? Question others in a civil manner? Seem prepared? Seem prepared?

18. Information for this cite came from the following sources: Jeannie Murphy. "Professional Development: Socratic Seminars." Regions 8 and 11 Professional Development Consortia, Los Angeles County Office of Education 6 Dec.2000 Jeannie Murphy. "Professional Development: Socratic Seminars." Regions 8 and 11 Professional Development Consortia, Los Angeles County Office of Education 6 Dec.2000 http://www.lacoe.edu/pdc/professional/socratic.htm lhttp://www.lacoe.edu/pdc/professional/socratic.htm l Stumpf, Samuel Enoch. Socrates to Sartre: A History of Philosophy, 6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 1999. Stumpf, Samuel Enoch. Socrates to Sartre: A History of Philosophy, 6th ed. McGraw-Hill, 1999.

19. Let us try one….: A Socratic Seminar opens with a Question posed by the leader or solicited from participants as they acquire more experience in seminars. Responses to the opening question generate new questions from the leader and participants, leading to new responses.

20. Is hate a learned behavior?