WHAT IS A SOCRATIC SEMINAR?

A Socratic seminar is a large group discussion (it is not a

__________________) about a common book or a common set of
questions posed to the group.

The discussion is __________________________________.

The Socratic Seminar strategy originated from _______________________, a classical Greek
philosopher who was convinced that the surest way to retain information was
through the practice of ___________________________________________________.

PURPOSE OF THE SOCRATIC SEMINAR

A Socratic seminar allows for students to engage in:

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

Allows you to talk _________________ and ______________________.

Gives you the opportunity to respond to _____________________________________________
using the text as a tool, as well as outside resources, to support your individual
opinion.

Utilizes analytical and speaking skills

PRIOR TO THE SOCRATIC SEMINAR:

You will individually prepare answers to 4 open-ended questions,
____________________________________________ from the book to support your answers.

You will examine the text closely, think about your answers, and put post-it notes on
your textual evidence pages.

You will ______________________________________________ to add additional detail and insight
to your answers using supporting evidence from either the book or from outside
sources.

DURING THE SOCRATIC SEMINAR:

Organization:

Desks will be arranged in 2 circles, an ____________________and
_______________________circle.

Inner circle students will be the ones __________________________in the discussion

There will be _______________ people from each group in the inner circle.

The outer circle students will be sitting behind their group members.
Each question will be ____________________________________and read aloud.

Procedures/Responsibilities

The teacher posts and reads the question aloud; teacher will jump in only when
necessary.

Inner circle students ___________________________________________, using the complete
burger handout and STEM starters

Outer circle students will be responsible for:
o _________________________________
o Passing notes to their inner circle members if the out circle member has
a talking point from their notes or question they would like their group
member to pose for the inner circle
o Jotting down any ____________________________________ for the inner students

At the end of the seminar, the outer students will share the ______________________
with their inner circle partners

The inner circle will discuss 2 questions one day and then switch with the outer
circle who will discuss 2 questions the following day

Format DOs and DONTs

DOs DONTs

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________
Maintain eye contact
Speak loudly
Be efficient in what you are going
to say
Stay on topic
Allow other students to respond

_____________________________________


Interrupt

_____________________________________
Monopolize the conversation

_____________________________________

_____________________________________
No putdowns

AFTER THE SOCRATIC SEMINAR:

Each student will fill out a _____________________________.


*Remember, although you should be familiar with what you are going to say, this is not a
test of memorization. All students will have their novels, Socratic seminar questions, and
any other outside material in front of them during the seminar.
RESPONSE PROCEDURES


Complete Burger (Full Open-Ended Response)

1. Say answer and reason
2. Say page number of Textual Evidence #1
3. WAIT for everyone to open to page
4. Say what paragraph number or if it is on the top, middle, or near
bottom
5. Read selected evidence ONLY
6. Say explanation (how evidence supports reason and answer)
7. Say page number of Textual evidence #2
8. WAIT for everyone to open to the page
9. Say what paragraph it is in or where it is on the page
10. Read the selected evidence ONLY
11. Say explanation (how evidence supports reason and answer)



Stem Starter

1. Address the classmate by name and make eye contact
2. WAIT for classmate to acknowledge you
3. Repeat classmate's response to which you're commenting
4. Say stem starter and your comment


Examples of Stem Starters:

I agree when you said. . . . but . . . .
I disagree with . . . . because . . . .
Im not sure when I understand when you said..?
When you said . . . . it reminds me of . . . .?
One way I was alike or different from (character name) . . . ?