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Socratic Seminars

Socratic Seminars. http://www.accountingethics.com/images/socrates.jpg. What is a Socratic seminar?. An organized discussion forum to explore a universal question relating to a text Participants are in two groups – observers and discussers. The roles switch halfway through seminar.

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Socratic Seminars

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  1. Socratic Seminars http://www.accountingethics.com/images/socrates.jpg

  2. What is a Socratic seminar? • An organized discussion forum to explore a universal question relating to a text • Participants are in two groups – observers and discussers. The roles switch halfway through seminar

  3. The rules - discussers • Fishbowl format • Only one discusser in the fishbowl talks at a time • Discussers may make whatever statement they wish. Must end with a question to the group. • Extra credit points if all discussers contribute • A tolerant, open atmosphere is maintained at all times – everyone’s viewpoint is valuable and welcome. This is a dialogue, not a debate.

  4. The rules - observers • Fishbowl format • Observers do not talk, but take notes • Observers: Please write three comments made you agree with and three that you disagree with • At the end of the discussion, observers are given a chance to discuss/critique discussers • A tolerant, open atmosphere is maintained at all times – everyone’s viewpoint is valuable and welcome. This is a discussion, not a debate.

  5. Discussers Inner circle Outer circle: Observers

  6. Socratic seminar preparation:Levels of questions World connection question – Write a question connecting the text to the real world. • If you were given only 24 hours to leave your home town, what might you pack? (After reading the first 30 pages of Night)

  7. Socratic seminar preparation:Levels of questions Close-ended question – Write a question about the text that will help everyone in the class come to agreement about events or characters in the text. • These have right or wrong answers • Who, What, Where, When questions • Example: What happened to Hester Prynne’s husband that she was left alone in Boston without family? (After the first four chapters of The Scarlett Letter)

  8. Socratic seminar preparation:Levels of questions Open-ended question – What does it mean? You can find the answer in the text, but it requires justification. • WHY or HOW questions • Example: Why did Gene hesitate to reveal the truth about the accident to Finny that first day in the infirmary? (Mid-way through A Separate Peace)

  9. Socratic seminar preparation:Levels of questions Universal – why does it matter? BIG questions dealing with themes of the text with no one answer. • Why do humans create art? • Why do humans write books? • Why are people racist?

  10. Grading • Points can be earned for: • Making analogies • Spotting contradictions • Making a relevant point • Responding to a question • Drawing another person into conversation • Using factual or specific evidence • Asking a clarifying question or moving the discussion along Points can be subtracted for: -Not paying attention or distracting others Interrupting Irrelevant comment Monopolizing Personal attack *Each seminar is worth 50 points, so be sure to participate!

  11. Today’s assignment: • Each person must write: • 2 world connection questions • 2 close-ended questions • 3 open-ended questions • 3 universal theme questions • Use Battle Royal as your source text. Due end of the period.

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