Socratic Circles

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Socratic Circles

• Empowering Student Centered Dialogue

Matt Copeland, Writing Consultant Kansas State
Department of Education Topeka, Kansas
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The unexamined life is not worth living.
Socrates
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Who Was Socrates?

• Classical Greek philosopher
• 470(?) 399 B.C.
• Socrates was one of the founders of
  philosophy. Because his ideas and teachings upset
  the folks in charge, he ended up being put on
  trial and killed in Athens.

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Socrates and the Theory of Knowledge

• Socrates believed the answers to all human
  questions reside within us and that through
  disciplined conversation we can discover ultimate
  truth. Socrates believed we should never stop
  asking why.

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What is a Socratic Circle?

• An activity in which participants engage in a
  conversation to collectively seek a deeper
  understanding of complex ideas.

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The Inner and Outer Circles
Outer Circle
Inner Circle
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Dialogue versus Debate
Dialogue Debate

1. Collaborative
2. Listening to find agreement and meaning
3. Enlarges and possibly changes point of view
4. Complicates positions and issues

1. Oppositional
2. Listening to find flaws and weaknesses
3. Affirms ones own point of view
4. Simplifies positions and issues

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Benefits of Socratic Circles

• Advances critical reading
• Spurs critical thinking
• Improves discussion and listening skills
• Increases vocabulary
• Provides student ownership, voice, and
  empowerment
• Allows students to synthesize both the
  knowledge-base and the skills-base of the
  curriculum