socratic seminars amy mulholland, m.ed. [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Socratic Seminars Based on Socrates’ method of
question Promotes critical thinking Can be used in differentiated
instruction Can be used to cross team – cross
grade level
The Question – The Text Explain topic and controversy Multiple perspectives Old knowledge in new light Leads to discovery (NO RIGHT
ANSWER) Encourage interest Provocative
Pre-Seminar – the day before The students have the responsibility
of coming prepared (informed, with questions)
Reader response Free writing activities Webbing Personal or Group Research
Pre-seminar – participant guidelines
Refer to text Ask for clarification Stick to the point Take turns speaking Listen Address the group Discuss ideas rather than opinions
Pre-seminar – how to dialogue Dialogue is
Collaborative Listen to understand Enlarges and changes Open-minded Offers thinking for
improvement Seeks strength in all
positions Respectful Open-ended
Debate is Oppositional
Listen to find flaw Defends truth Close-minded Offer thinking and
defends it Seeks weakness in
other positions Demeaning Conclusion
The day of the seminar The teacher will offer initial
questions… Who? Where? When? What is the issue? Micro/Macro How? Why? Did this happen? What is the outcome/ resolution Evaluate the outcome
During-Seminar Groups of 10-13 kids Talking chips Talking chains Monitor your neighbor Inner and outer circles
Post-Seminar Journal Writing Self-assessment narrative Follow up project (more research,
newspaper editorials, etc.) RAFTs
Your Turn Read the article What is liberty? What are the different positions? How do we balance issues of safety
and civil rights?
References http://www.studyguide.org/socratic_
seminar.htm http://www.ncsu.edu/literacyjunction
//html/tutorialsocratic.html