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Socratic Seminars. Amy Mulholland, M.Ed. admulholland@gmail.com. Socratic Seminars. Based on Socrates’ method of question Promotes critical thinking Can be used in differentiated instruction Can be used to cross team – cross grade level. The Question – The Text.
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Socratic Seminars Amy Mulholland, M.Ed. admulholland@gmail.com
Socratic Seminars • Based on Socrates’ method of question • Promotes critical thinking • Can be used in differentiated instruction • Can be used to cross team – cross grade level
The Question – The Text • Explain topic and controversy • Multiple perspectives • Old knowledge in new light • Leads to discovery (NO RIGHT ANSWER) • Encourage interest • Provocative
Pre-Seminar – the day before • The students have the responsibility of coming prepared (informed, with questions) • Reader response • Free writing activities • Webbing • Personal or Group Research
Pre-seminar – participant guidelines • Refer to text • Ask for clarification • Stick to the point • Take turns speaking • Listen • Address the group • Discuss ideas rather than opinions
Dialogue is Collaborative Listen to understand Enlarges and changes Open-minded Offers thinking for improvement Seeks strength in all positions Respectful Open-ended Debate isOppositional Listen to find flaw Defends truth Close-minded Offer thinking and defends it Seeks weakness in other positions Demeaning Conclusion Pre-seminar – how to dialogue
The day of the seminar • The teacher will offer initial questions… • Who? Where? When? • What is the issue? Micro/Macro • How? Why? Did this happen? • What is the outcome/ resolution • Evaluate the outcome
During-Seminar • Groups of 10-13 kids • Talking chips • Talking chains • Monitor your neighbor • Inner and outer circles
Post-Seminar • Journal Writing • Self-assessment narrative • Follow up project (more research, newspaper editorials, etc.) • RAFTs
Your Turn • Read the article • What is liberty? • What are the different positions? • How do we balance issues of safety and civil rights?
References • http://www.studyguide.org/socratic_seminar.htm • http://www.ncsu.edu/literacyjunction//html/tutorialsocratic.html