SOCRATIC SEMINAR NOTES As an outer circle member you are playing an active role in the discussion by paying close attention to what is said and how questions are answered. During the discussion you will collect ATLEAST 3 questions followed by notes on the responses and commentary provided during discussion. QUESTIONS
What are the two circles in a Socratic seminar?
The basic format to a Socratic seminar is having students divided into two groups and sitting in two circles – an inner circle and an outer circle. The inner circle represents the speakers. These are the students who discuss the questions. The outer circle students are the recorders. Click to see full answer.
What is a Socratic circle?
A Socratic Circle (also known as a Socratic Seminar) is an approach to understand and examine a text through questions and answers founded on the belief that all thinking comes from asking questions, and that asking one question should lead to asking further questions.
What is inner circle and Outer Circle in teaching?
Inner/Outer Circle or Fishbowl: Arrange students in inner and outer circles (a "fishbowl") where. the inner circle engages in a dialogue and the outer circle observes, taking notes on the seminar. process and new understandings about the text. The outer circle can share their observations as.
How do you conduct a Socratic seminar?
A Socratic Seminar activity often begins with the discussion leader, a student or the teacher, asking an open-ended question. A typical opening prompt is: What do you think this text means? Silence is fine. It may take a few minutes for students to warm up.
What are the steps of a Socratic seminar?
5 Steps to a Successful Socratic SeminarStep 1: Choose a Text. The purpose of Socratic seminars is to use evidence to support interpretations of a text. ... Step 2: Let Students Prepare. ... Step 3: Give Students Questions. ... Step 4: Set Up Inner and Outer Circles. ... Step 5: Don't Jump In.
What is an inner outer circle?
Inside-outside circle is a cooperative learning strategy. Students form two concentric circles and take turns on rotation to face new partners to answer or discuss the teacher's questions. This method can be used to gather variety of information, generate new ideas and solve problems.
What are the elements of a Socratic seminar?
A good seminar consists of four interdependent elements: (1) the text, (2) the questions, (3) the seminar leader, and (4) the participants. A closer look at each of these elements helps explain the unique character of a Socratic Seminar.
What are the 3 rules of a Socratic seminar?
Socratic Seminar Rules Discuss, do not debate. Be courteous, NO PUTDOWNS. Goal is the pursuit of deeper understanding. Respect different thoughts and ideas.
What is debate circle?
The inner/outer circle debate strategy emphasizes listening to others' views and writing an opinion essay. Objectives. Students will. listen to the views of others and respond to them. contemplate multiple views on a controversial issue.
What is the importance of a circle to you as a student?
Build relationships and community: Circles give everyone a voice, allowing classmates to get to know each other more deeply and enhancing the ability to have difficult conversations when needed.
What are the 5 Socratic questions?
Here are the six types of questions Socrates posed:Clarifying concepts. ... Probing assumptions. ... Probing rationale, reasons and evidence. ... Questioning viewpoints and perspectives. ... Probing implications and consequences. ... Questioning the question.
What is a fishbowl Socratic seminar?
Similar to a Socratic Seminar, fishbowl discussions are organized classroom discussions that require students to prepare thoughtful responses to deliver in class.
What makes a good Socratic seminar question?
Ask people to explain what they mean. There are no right or wrong answers. Don't worry if the conversation takes a different direction. When a discussion of a particular question seems to have ended and no one has anything to say, any student may ask, “Are we done?” and/or “Shall we go to another question?”.
What are the guidelines for a Socratic Circle?
Tips for Using Socratic Questioning:Plan significant questions that provide meaning and direction to the dialogue.Use Wait Time: Allow at least thirty seconds for students to respond.Follow up on students' responses.Ask probing questions.Periodically summarize in writing key points that have been discussed.More items...
What is the main objective of a Socratic seminar?
The main goal of Socratic Seminar is to build a deeper understanding of texts and ideas through collaborative dialogue in the classroom. Teachers become facilitators while the students take an active lead in constructing meaning and understanding.
What is a Socratic Circle?
A Socratic Circle (also known as a Socratic Seminar) is an approach to understand and examine a text through questions and answers founded on the belief that all thinking comes from asking questions, and that asking one question should lead to asking further questions. The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates’ ...
What is the difference between Socratic Circles and other classroom activities?
In Socratic Circles the students lead the discussion and questioning. The teacher’s role is to ensure the discussion advances regardless of the particular direction the discussion takes.
What are the two concentric circles of Socratic Circles?
Socratic Circles involve the following process: A passage of text that students must read beforehand and two concentric circles of students: an outer circle and an inner circle. The inner circle focuses on exploring and analysing the text through the act of questioning and answering.
What is Socratic teaching?
The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates’ theory that it is more important to enable students to think for themselves than to merely fill their heads with “right” answers. A Socratic Circle is not a debate.
What is the Socratic Seminar Strategy?
Procedure. The Socratic Seminar strategy is based on close textual analysis, so it is important to select a text that provides ample avenues for interpretation and discussion. If you choose a simple text where the meaning is fairly straightforward, there won’t be much for students to discuss.
What are the criteria for evaluating a Socratic seminar?
Criteria you might use to evaluate a Socratic Seminar activity include engagement (everyone listening and sharing), respect (no interruptions or put-downs), meaning-making (students understand the text more deeply at the end of the seminar), and use of evidence (comments always refer back to the text). The Socratic Seminar.
What to do if you have never done a Socratic seminar?
If you have never done a Socratic Seminar activity with your students before, you might spend a few moments brainstorming the qualities that would make for a great seminar. These qualities or criteria can be explained on a rubric and used to evaluate the seminar at the end of the class period.
What should students do before a seminar?
Before beginning the seminar, it is essential that students have time to prepare ideas. Students should annotate the text before the start of the class discussion. Teachers often assign a discussion leader who generates a few open-ended questions that can be used to begin the seminar. Develop a Classroom Contract.
Can students who have not participated in a Socratic Seminar use the Socratic Seminar Stems handout?
For students who have not participated in a Socratic Seminar or find it difficult to phrase responses, you may want to allow them to use the Socratic Seminar Stems handout.