The Great Gatsby Socratic Seminar

I will know you are prepared if your book is annotated, (bookmarked or marked with post-its if it is not yours) and you have notes with your questions and the page numbers that you plan on referencing. I will collect your notes after the seminar.

Preparation:

Step 1: Write four questions:

  1. A close-ended practical question about something specific in the text that you don't understand. Include page number.
  2. An open-ended question that will take insight, conversation and references to the text to answer.
  3. A question that leads to a discussion about real life, the real world, or practical applications.
  4. A question that refers to the text and leads to a discussion about the universal ideas revealed by the novel (in other words, a“theme” question).

Step 2: Take notes:

  1. Write down ideas to answer your own questions, along with quotations and page numbers for reference.
  2. Record other information you anticipate will be discussed, with quotes and page numbers for this information as well. Remember that you will be responding to anything that is “put on the table” for discussion, so be as holistically prepared as possible.

Guidelines for Participants in a Socratic Seminar:

  1. Refer to the text during the discussion. You are not simply talking about your "feelings." You are discussing the ideas, issues, and values raised by the text.
  2. If you are not fully prepared, as described above, do not attempt to fake it by shooting off opinions unrelated to the text. I will know that you are as “fake” as the persona of Jay Gatsby.
  3. Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to discuss later.
  4. Don't raise hands; take turns speaking.
  5. Listen carefully.
  6. Speak up so that all can hear you.
  7. Talk to each other, not to me.
  8. Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions. If you disagree with someone, use text to argue your point.
  9. You are responsible for the seminar, even if you don't know it or admit it.

Expectations of Participants in a Socratic Seminar:

When evaluating your Socratic Seminar participation, I will ask the following questions about participants. Did they….

Speak loudly and clearly?
Cite reasons and evidence for their statements?
Use the text to find support?
Listen to others respectfully?
Stick with the subject?
Exchange ideas?
Paraphrase accurately?
Ask for help to clear up confusion?
Support each other?
Avoid hostile exchanges?
Question others in a civil manner?
Come prepared?

Socratic Seminar:Participation Rubric

100

“Excellent”

/
  • Participant offers enough solid analysis, without prompting, to move the conversation forward
  • Participant, through her comments, demonstrates a deep knowledge of the text and the question
  • Participant has come to the seminar prepared, with notes or post-its showing an annotated text
  • Participant, through her comments, shows that she is actively listening to other participants
  • Participant offers clarification and/or follow-up that extends the conversation
  • Participant’s remarks often refer back to specific parts of the text.
  • Participant demonstrates respect in exchanges.

90
“Above Mastery” /
  • Participant offers solid analysis without prompting
  • Through comments, participant demonstrates a good knowledge of the text and the question
  • Participant has come to the seminar prepared, with notes anda marked/annotated text
  • Participant shows that he/she is actively listening to others and offers clarification and/or follow-up
  • Participant demonstrates respect in exchanges.

80
“Mastery” /
  • Participant offers some analysis, but needs prompting from others.
  • Through comments, participant demonstrates a general knowledge of the text and question
  • Participant is less prepared, with few notes and no marked/annotated text
  • Participant is actively listening to others, but does not offer clarification and/or follow-up to others’ comments
  • Participant relies more upon his or her opinion, and less on the text to drive her comments
  • Participant might lack respect in exchanges.

Below 80
(0 or 50)
“Needs Improvement” /
  • Participant offers little commentary
  • Participant comes to the seminar ill-prepared with little understanding of the text and question
  • Participant does not listen to others, offers no commentary to further the discussion
  • Participant distracts the group by interrupting other speakers or by offering off topic questions and comments.
  • Participant ignores the discussion and its participants
  • Participant might be hostile, rude, or disrespectful.