Returning the Ownership:  Socratic Seminar in the Secondary Classroom

Sara B. Kajder, presenter
Gaithersburg High School
Email:  Sara_Kajder@fc.mcps.k12.md.us
 


"I would contend at all costs both in word and deed as far as I could that we will be better humans,
braver and less idle, if we believe that one must search for the things
one does not know, rather than if we believe that it is not possible to find out
what we do not know and that we must not look for it."

- Socrates in Plato's Meno

I. What is a Socratic Seminar?

        a. Activator - Betting Game and Inspiration
        b. History
        c. Discussion vs. Seminar
        d. Pedagogical Impact - "Why in my classroom?"
 

II. What does a Socratic Seminar involve?
        a. Classroom Structure & Basic Rules
        b. Questions
        c. Student Roles
                1. Reading of Text
                2. Annotation
                3. Question preparation
                4. "Responsibilities" of a participant
                5. CRITEAK and Habits of Mind
                6. "Fueling" of Discussion
                7. Evaluation of Peers
        d. Teacher Roles
                1. Text Selection
                2. Asking the Initial Question
                3. Facilitator?
                4. Management?
                5. Evaluation

III. Simulation of Socratic Discussion
 

IV. Writing as a before, during and after thinking strategy
 

V. 3-2-1 Discussion


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