Transcript Socratic Seminar

It’s Dialogue Not Debate!
 Socrates
believed that enabling students
to think for themselves was more
important than filling their heads with
“right answers.”
On a sheet of paper, write a paragraph
explaining whether you agree with this idea
or not. What type of activities have you
participated in during your high school years
that have encouraged this idea?
 The


Text
Choose a text that will enable your students to
have a thoughtful discussion
Texts can be from readings in literature, history,
science, math, philosophy, art or even music
Strategies for Success p. 160

The leader plays a dual role. They must follow the same
guidelines as the other participants, as well as, monitor
the discussion for fairness.

Know the text well before you begin

Be prepared with a series of questions about the text to
help define discussion and give it direction

Facilitate discussion among participants rather than with
you, the leader

Be an active listener

Help participants rephrase questions and answers for
clarity if necessary
Strategies for Success p. 161
 Encourage
participants to use the text to support
their responses

Helps participants clarify their positions when
arguments become confused

Involves reluctant participants while restraining their
more vocal peers

Must be patient enough to allow participants’
understandings to evolve

Be willing to help participants explore non-traditional
insights and unexpected
interpretations

Read the text carefully and for understanding

Highlight the text and make notes in the margins

Take turns speaking instead of raising hands

Listen carefully and actively to your fellow participants

Discuss ideas of the text, not each other’s opinions

Keep your mind open to new ideas and possibilities
Strategies for Success p. 162
Dialogue is…
-collaborative
-about understanding
-re-evaluating assumptions
-keeping an open mind
-searching for strength and
validity in all ideas
-about temporarily
suspending beliefs
-open-ended
Debate is…
-oppositional
-about proving others wrong
-defending assumptions
-close-minded
-about defending beliefs
-having one right answer
-searching for weakness in
ideas
-demands a conclusion
Strategies for Success p. 159

Be courteous. No put-downs or sarcasm.

Absolutely no side conversations! If you have
something to say, address the entire group. You may
have valuable input.

Allow each speaker enough time to begin and finish
his/her thoughts. (Giving 5 seconds can help with
this.)

Involve others in the discussion and ask questions
to elaborate on their responses.

Use your best active listening skills through eye
contact and providing feedback.

Remember there are no wrong answers. All ideas
are valuable!
 Arrange
 Make
student desks in a circle.
sure each participant has a copy of the
text.
 Students
should come with three questions for
discussion.
 Paragraphs
should be numbered and unknown
words be highlighted and defined.
All students will complete a socratic seminar debrief.
 Discussion leaders will grade the debriefs.
 Those who cannot participate effectively will be
removed from the seminar and receive a grade of 0.
 Part of the participant’s grade will be based on
speaking during the seminar.


You MUST learn to speak up about ANY topic. It is NOT okay
to simply sit back and just let everyone else talk.