Socratic Seminar Template and Samples

1 Socratic Seminar Template and Samples Generic Template A Socratic Seminar (named after Socrates) is a deep discourse led by questioning. You will engage in one as an assessment over _____. You will prepare your thoughts on several different questions. You will come to school in your formal uniform or formal attire. The Seminar will take one period. Why Do Socratic seminars ? -To think out loud-To share ideas-To investigate what we may not get to talk about in a traditional assessment-To reflect on the way things are or the way they could be-To learn from each other-To enjoy ourselves as scholars-To use vocabulary more precisely-To discover the power of many minds at work-To change our mindsGuidelines for Socratic seminars -Listen carefully!

2 This is crucial. Much of your grade is based on your ability to listen and respondto what was just respectful! Sit up straight in your seat. Use Mr. or Miss when addressing another student. Raiseyour hand to speak. You may want to keep track of your participation by holding up a number offingers to represent the number of times you have added to the conversation. If you notice someoneis not participating, you may call on him/her to get him/her active in the Seminar . Do this by callingthe student by name and stating your opinion first so the student has something about which to must have a loudly and turns speaking. You cannot call on the same person who called on you.

3 If you disagree with aperson, do so in a thoughtful, appropriate manner. Ask questions without attacking. Ask people toexplain what they mean. There are no right or wrong answers. Don t worry if the conversation takesa different direction. When a discussion of a particular question seems to have ended and no onehas anything to say, any student may ask, Are we done? and/or Shall we go to another question? .-Refer to your _____ whennecessary. A Seminar is not a test of memory. You are not learning a subject; you are aiming atunderstanding ideas and t look at the teacher. Discourse is for you the students. You are teaching each other.

4 We are acommunity of scholars. Teachers will only intervene when absolutely Seminar Template and Samples Seminar Preparation Using these big questions, prepare responses to ___ of them on note cards. You will likely need several note cards. Make a point on the front of the note card and put your proof on the back. All points must be backed up with proof in the forms of text, research, packet information, etc. Label your proof so that you can direct the other Seminar members where to find it. Gain extra depth when you work the vocabulary words into your answers. Seminar Big Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. COME UP WITH YOUR OWN QUESTION TO USE DURING THE Seminar .

5 It must be open-ended and text-dependent, i. e. it can be answered in many ways and can be backed up with Discussion Helpers -Can you say something similar using other words?-What did you like about the previous contribution?-What new ideas did that contribution give?-What puzzled you the most about that last statement?-Can you elaborate, explain, or give another example?-What in the last statement had not occurred to you before?-How did the person who made the last statement arrive that that conclusion? Socratic Seminar Template and Samples ELA Sample A Socratic Seminar (named after Socrates) is a deep discourse led by questioning. You will engage in one as an assessment over Julius Caesar.

6 You will prepare your thoughts on several different questions. You will come to school in your formal uniform. The Seminar will take one period. Why Do Socratic seminars ? -To think out loud-To share ideas-To investigate what we may not get to talk about in a traditional assessment-To reflect on the way things are or the way they could be-To learn from each other-To enjoy ourselves as scholars-To use vocabulary more precisely-To discover the power of many minds at work-To change our mindsGuidelines for Socratic seminars -Listen carefully! This is crucial. Much of your grade is based on your ability to listen and respondto what was just respectful!

7 Sit up straight in your seat. Use Mr. or Miss when addressing another student. Raiseyour hand to speak. You may want to keep track of your participation by holding up a number offingers to represent the number of times you have added to the conversation. If you notice someoneis not participating, you may call on him/her to get him/her active in the Seminar . Do this by callingthe student by name and stating your opinion first so the student has something about which to must have a loudly and turns speaking. You cannot call on the same person who called on you. If you disagree with aperson, do so in a thoughtful, appropriate manner.

8 Ask questions without attacking. Ask people toexplain what they mean. There are no right or wrong answers. Don t worry if the conversation takesa different direction. When a discussion of a particular question seems to have ended and no onehas anything to say, any student may ask, Are we done? and/or Shall we go to another question? .-Refer to your note cards, Julius Caesar text, Julius Caesar background, Julius Caesar packets, andJulius Caesar quizzes when necessary. A Seminar is not a test of memory. You are not learning asubject; you are aiming at understanding ideas and t look at the teacher. Discourse is for you the students.

9 You are teaching each other. We are acommunity of scholars. Teachers will only intervene when absolutely Seminar Template and Samples Seminar Preparation Using these big questions, prepare responses to 10 of them on note cards. You will likely need several note cards. Make a point on the front of the note card and put your proof on the back. All points must be backed up with proof in the forms of text, research, packet information, etc. Label your proof so that you can direct the other Seminar members where to find it. Gain extra depth when you work the vocabulary words into your answers. Seminar Big Questions does Act I establish the main themes, conflicts, and mood of the play?

10 Is the function of minor characters such as Lucius, Titinius, Popillius, Pindarus, Artemidorus, is the function of the many literary devices in the play such as apostrophes, anachronisms,soliloquies, monologues, dialogues, similes, metaphors, synecdoches, metonymies, allusions, is greater, Caesar or the spirit of Caesar? real or fictional character is a parallel for Brutus? How are they parallel? connections can be made between Julius Caesar and other Unit One topics such as TheEnlightenment and Revolutions? tragic hero is a basically good and admirable person who, because of a fault or flaw in hischaracter, fails in opposing the forces that bring about his downfall.