Socratic SeminarsAmy Mulholland, M.Ed.

admulholland@gmail.com

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

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