The Socratic Seminar

What is a Socratic Seminar?

A Socratic Seminar (named after the ethical philosopher Socrates) is a form of structured discourse (talk) about ideas, morals, dilemmas, and such. Your class will have one of these planned discussions on topics from “Flowers for Algernon”. The talk will begin with a single question posed by the teacher. The teacher will then step out of the discussion and allow students to take over. Solely the students, who will actively discuss and debate the subject/topic that has been presented, will keep the seminar going with their verbal thoughts and insights.

The class will be divided into two groups who will take turns forming both the inner and outer circles. The inner circle will do the talking and the outer circle will observe and critique (evaluate) what happens in the inner circle, in a written format. The groups will switch places after at least9 minutes (Academics) and 12 minutes (Honors), and the new inner circle group will be given a different topic.

It is absolutely essential that you come to class prepared and ready to talk about all of the assigned potential topics. You will not be allowed to participate if you are not prepared, thus resulting in an automatic F.

What are the rules?

  1. Come prepared with notes of information on the story. Make sure your notes are a combination of:
  • opinions
  • quotes from the stories
  • specific examples from the stories (ex. – plot, character names, etc.)
  • literary terms used to explain example from the story (ex. – “the setting reveals the laboratory was…” – “Charlie is characterized by his friendly nature…” – “Charlie getting upset with is regression is an example of internal conflict…”)
  • examples from media/culture that could be used to support what you are saying
  1. Be courteous to your peers. You will be pulled from the circle if you say anything negative like, "You are wrong" or "That's stupid" - if you disagree, that is fine. However, this is an open panel/forum for discussion, so you are expected to be mature in both your listening and response.
  2. Your OPINIONS must be supported with evidence from any of the texts that can be discussed. Simply throwing opinions out without justification and/or reasoning will result in a poor grade. See the items listed under number 1.
  3. Create flow by connecting to what previous people have said.
  4. Keep an open mind and remember that different viewpoints will be thrown out during the discussion. Be willing to change or revise your opinions; be ready to add to your own statements, as well as to the statements of others, etc.
  5. Don’t hog the conversation. 

How are you being graded?

***When you are in the inner circle, you will be graded on:

  1. your active participation (talking)
  2. the quality of your contributions to the discussion (references made to the text, insightful comments, good information, building on what others have said, listening, staying reasonable and mature, etc.)

***When you are in the outer circle, you will be graded on:

  1. page of prepared notes (notes will primarily be used during the inner circle)
  2. insightful comments and conclusions based on the material that was presented in the inner circle - this will be done with an evaluation sheet

BASICALLY, THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF YOUR INTERACTIONS WILL DETERMINE YOUR GRADE.

The Socratic Seminar Seating Arrangement

INNER CIRCLE:

  1. serves as discussion panel
  2. Each member needs to provide quality responses (extension, elaboration, insight, cause/effect, etc.).
  3. no moderator, no teacher, no hands raised - simply listen and "jump in" - nicely 
  4. Follow rules of courteous discussion.
  5. You may ask questions of each other.
  6. absolutely NO INTERACTION with the outer circle or the teacher

OUTER CIRCLE:

  1. listen, understand, assess
  2. Each member of the outer circle must fill out an evaluation sheet as part of the overall grade.
  3. Interaction with the inner circle is only available via the hotseat.
  4. Once in the hotseat, he/she may participate in the discussion for a brief time.
  5. After speaking, the student must vacate the hotseat and leave it open for others.
  6. Follow the rules of courteous listening.

GENERAL:

  1. The seminar will end at the designated time or when all of the meaningful discussion has come to a natural close. Again, Academics must go at least 8 minutes, Honors at least 10.
  2. THE TEACHER IS NOT A PART OF THE DISCUSSION. The teacher will only intervene to keep the discussion going (but this is NOT a good thing if it happens). Do not rely on the teacher to settle arguments or anything else. The group must settle any disagreements.

PREPARATION:

To prepare for the seminar, you will be given a little class time to review (yes, may need to do some preparation at home) what we have read and make notes. Look back through the story, talk to others about it - basically you need to get a sense of "where you stand" and then think about what specifics you can quote or talk about to support your thoughts

You are permitted to have ONE sheet of notes in front of you during the seminar (front side only), while you are in the inner circle. You will want your notes to be detailed so that you will be prepared for any issue and/or question that comes up. You will be turning in the notes after the seminar for credit.

YOUR GRADE WILL BE BROKEN DOWN LIKE THIS:

Inner Circle: responses, attitude, questions, etc. = 15 (honors),

10 (academics)

Outer Circle: turned in evaluation sheet = 10 (honors)

8 (academics)

Paper and additional notes: to be turned in after seminar = 15 (honors)

12 (academics)

______

40 TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS (Honors)

30 (Academics)

***NOTE: If the seminar is not conducted with maturity, responsibility, and enthusiasm, the seminar will be broken up and a 100 point essay exam will be given in place of the seminar.***

Socratic Seminar

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Use the following questions to build notes for the seminar. Prepare EVIDENCE from the story AND real life experience in order to SUPPORT your thoughts.

These have been pulled directly from this year’s “Comprehension by Design” activity:

  1. Does violence really solve anything?
  1. How does love and anger change a person?
  1. Is humankind inherently good or evil?
  1. Are all killings bad, or are there different ways of justifying killings?
  1. Is it possible to achieve true justice?
  1. Why are humans so attracted to the unknown?
  1. Is violence the key to eventually making peace?
  1. Is it ever right to manipulate someone for the “Greater Good”?

SOCRATIC SEMINAR ~ INNER CIRCLE RUBRIC

A = Student spoke several times during the seminar and demonstrated

an understanding of material. The student did so by

giving evidence of preparation for the seminar through

insightful comments. There were textual references made. He/she made verbal expansions on other's comments. The student formulated personal questions and made some meaningful connections. Opinions were expressed clearly and succinctly. Student was a courteous listener. Student also made insightful points while in the hotseat.

B = Student spoke a few times during the seminar. He/she cited some textual references and made some insightful contributions. Contributions to the discussion demonstrated preparation for the seminar. Student answered questions in response to others involved in the discussion and expanded on classmates' answers. The student was a courteous listener.

C = Student spoke minimally during the seminar. Student gave good information but did not support it with textual references. No questions were generated from student's points/discussion, but questions from others were answered. No personal opinions were expressed.

D = Student participated minimally. Some correct information was given. Other information was of little value or was a repeat of another student's comments. Some comments were argumentative in nature.

F =Student did not participate.

SOCRATIC SEMINAR ~ OUTER CIRLCE RUBRIC

A = Student completed the assigned evaluation worksheet thoroughly and completely, displaying evidence that he/she actively listened to the discussion.

B = Student listened carefully. He/she did okay on the evaluation sheet - not as thorough as it could be.

C =Student listened in a courteous manner. He/she turned in an evaluation sheet that was only partially done.

D = Student partially listened; the sheet was not turned in.

F =The student lacked good listening skills and did not turn in the evaluation sheet.

Socratic Seminar ~ Outer Circle EVALUATION SHEET

Name:

Date:

Question Given to Members of the Inner Circle?

Main Ideas/Critical Issues Raised:

Ideas That You Feel Seminar Participants Failed to Mention:

What Was the Best Question and/or Idea Shared in the Seminar ~ Why?

What Conclusions Can You Draw After Listening to Your Classmates?