SOCRATIC DISCUSSION

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

DIALOGUE

In dialogue, one listens to understand, to make meaning, and to find common ground

Dialogue calls for temporarily suspending one’s beliefs

Dialogue respects all the other participants and seeks not to alienate or offend

GUIDELINES FOR LEADERS

Set the stage

Beware of trying to be perfect

Subject matter of seminars is understanding of issues and ideas

Stay with the text

Follow every answer with another question, building upon the answer just given

GUIDELINES FO R L EADERS CON TIN UED

Rephrase questions until they are understood

Wait for students to respond; thinking is OK

Draw out the reasons for and the implications of student’s answers

Insist that answers be clear and adequately explained

Do not insist on agreement in matters of opinion; encourage discussion of differences

GUIDELINES FO R L EADERS CON TIN UED

There is no need to reach resolution, compromise/synthesis or closure

Recognize listening as a form of participation

It’s OK to coach students in Socratic discussion

GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPANTS

Refer to the text when needed during the discussion.

*Do not stay confused; ask for clarification

*Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to.

*Don’t raise hands; take turns speaking

*Listen carefully

GUIDELIN ES FO R PARTICIPAN TS CON TIN UED

Speak up so all can hear you

Talk to each other; not just to the leader or teacher

Discuss ideas rather than each other’s opinions

You are responsible for the discussion to be a success

LET’S BEGIN

Read the text silently and individually

Examine the text closely and annotate

Work with partner directly in front or behind you

Identify the Great Ideas in the text

Leader: start discussion with one of the following: Ranking, How, or Generic question.

DISCUSSION BEGINS

Inner circle begins discussion based on the leader’s question

Guidelines for participants followed

Leader follows “leader” guidelines to keep discussion on track

Leader stops discussion and presents another idea or open ended question

Inner circle discusses the new idea or question to partner in outer circle

DISCUSSION CONTINUES

Leader asks inner circle to switch with outer circle so that new voices are heard during discussion

Remind outer circle that they can not engage in discussion but may take notes

Be open to new ideas, and personal opinions changing!

SOCRATES

Let him that would move the world first move himself

Socratic Seminars International: Oscar@SocraticSeminars.com

Common core Standards: RL 1.7, SL 7.a.b.c.d

MCEF

Room 2 is very grateful for our new computers

Our research is focused and shared within our Google doc accounts

Vocabulary and grammar activities are interactive

We acknowledge each other’s writing and help each other become better writers

Connecting to each other and the world opens our minds to all knowledge

PTA

Thank you for making Miller a family

Back to school BBQ

Honorary service awards

Magazine drive

Corrals

Community connection