Socratic SeminarSocratic Seminar

What Does This Mean?What Does This Mean?

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

~Socrates

What is a Socratic Seminar?What is a Socratic Seminar?

• A dialoguedialogue where participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas• Participants evaluate ideas, issues, and values in texts• Participants share different perspectives

The Difference BetweenThe Difference BetweenDialogue and DebateDialogue and Debate

Dialogue is…Dialogue is… Debate is…Debate is…

Collaborative Oppositional

About understanding About proving others wrong

Listening for deeper meaning Listening for flaws

Re-evaluating assumptions Defending assumptions

Keeping an open mind Close-minded

About respecting all participants Demeaning others

Exploring different possibilities Having one right answer

Open-ended Seeking a conclusion

The Set-upThe Set-up

• ½ of the class sits in the inner circle and participates while the other ½ of the class sits in the outer circle to observe and record the participation of their partners. • After about 10-15 minutes, the roles are reversed and the discussion continues.

Role of LeaderRole of Leader

1. Moderate discussion. 2. Help participants rephrase questions for clarity.3. Encourage participants to use the text to support

their responses.

Preparing for the Socratic Preparing for the Socratic SeminarSeminar

1. Read the text carefully.2. Highlight key ideas from the text.3. Formulate level 1,2, and 3 questions.4. Make connections between the text and your life.

During the Socratic Seminar During the Socratic Seminar (Inner Circle)(Inner Circle)

1. Participate. Participate. Participate.2. Refer to text to support your comments or

questions.3. Take turns speaking instead of raising hands.4. Discuss the text, not each other’s opinions.5. Speak clearly.6. Listen carefully. 7. Use Academic Language

Scripts for Socratic Seminars as needed

During the Socratic Seminar During the Socratic Seminar (Inner Circle)(Inner Circle)

During the Socratic Seminar During the Socratic Seminar (Outer Circle)(Outer Circle)

1. Observe your partner.2. Record your observations.

After the Socratic SeminarAfter the Socratic Seminar

• Reflect on the process.

After the Socratic SeminarAfter the Socratic Seminar

1. Cut on the dotted line.2. Give the completed Socratic Seminar Observation

form to your partner.3. Staple your Socratic Seminar Questions to the

Socratic Seminar Observation form filled out by your partner.

4. Turn in the two stapled documents to your teacher.