Socratic Seminars

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Socratic Seminars
http//www.accountingethics.com/images/socrates.jp
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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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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 everyones viewpoint is valuable and
  welcome. This is a dialogue, not a debate.

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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 everyones viewpoint is valuable and
  welcome. This is a discussion, not a debate.

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Inner circle
Outer circle Observers
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Socratic seminar preparationLevels 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)

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Socratic seminar preparationLevels 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 Prynnes husband
  that she was left alone in Boston without family?
  (After the first four chapters of The Scarlett
  Letter)

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Socratic seminar preparationLevels 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)

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Socratic seminar preparationLevels 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?

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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!
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Todays 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.