Exploring the Essence of Socratic Seminars in Education
Delve into the world of Socratic Seminars led by Lisa Laker, an English Teacher at Franklin Central High School. Discover the profound impact of Socrates, the eminent philosopher, and learn about the core elements and benefits of engaging in Socratic Seminars in educational settings. Uncover the significance of questioning, critical thinking, and self-discovery within this unique form of scholarly discourse.
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Socratic Seminars: Socratic Seminars: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Lisa Laker, English Teacher Franklin Central High School Teacher Leadership Academy #9 1
Can I ask you a question? Can I ask you a question? -Socrates 2
Who was Socrates? Who was Socrates? (469-399 B.C.) ? Considered greatest philosopher of all time ? Lived during the height of Greek culture ? Searched for truth and meaning of life through questioning ? Teacher of Plato 3
What is a Socratic Seminar? What is a Socratic Seminar? a motivating form of scholarly discourse based on the essential question. (www.ncsu.edu/literacyjunction/html/tutorialsocratic.html) 5
A Socratic Seminar consists of four elements: ? The text: Can come from any subject area ? The question: Reflects genuine curiosity and has no right answer ? The participants: study the text in advance, listen actively, and share ideas using evidence from the text for support ? The leader: offers the initial question and serves as a facilitator of the seminar 6 (www.ncsu.edu/literacyjunction/html/tutorialsocratic.html) ?
Why use Socratic Seminar? Why use Socratic Seminar? ? To develop higher order thinking skills ? To teach big concepts ? To encourage questioning and reflection ? To foster self- discovery 7
Socrates believed it was very important for students to question the world around them. It was then that true learning took place. 8
Where? Where? Basically, anywhere your group can form a circle. ? Classrooms: in desks or on the floor ? Auditorium stage ? Cafeteria ? Outside: on the football field or by the school pond ? Gymnasium 9
When? When? Beginning of unit Middle of unit End of unit Emotional hook Provides focus Clarifies preconceived ideas and misconceptions Solidifies big picture Makes connections Closure or Segway 10
Enough already Enough already wanna wanna get started? get started? But How? 11
Procedures Procedures 1. Teacher must kick off unit by assigning text, show art, etc. 2. Teacher explains Socratic Method and student responsibilities. 3. Students form a circle. 4. Teacher asks thought-provoking question and student discussion commences. 12
?The Essential Question? ?The Essential Question? Points to the heart of the topic and its controversies. Generates multiple answers and perspectives. Uncoverage vs. Coverage. Encourages deeper interest in the subject. 13
Socratic Rules Socratic Rules Respect all participants. Be honest and concrete with your opinion. Allow speaker to complete thought w/out interruption. Be an active listener. Usurping discussion time is deemed most unsocratic! 14
Students are responsible for: Students are responsible for: the flow of the discussion within the seminar. constructing own analysis of the seminar. utilizing critical thinking, active listening, and communication skills. 15
Demonstration Demonstration What does it look like? What does it look like? 16
.Lets try it out together .Let s try it out together 17
The Key: Follow The Key: Follow- -up Reflection up Reflection Journal: Tally Sheet, etc. Self-Assessment Narratives Authentic Projects 18
Spin Spin- -Offs: Offs: 1. Inner/outer circles 2. A/B chain 3. Talking chips 4. Brain lights 5. Toilet paper 19
Accountability Accountability Example Rubric Example Rubric Number of Comments/Questions/Quotes Excellent Good Okay None Quality of Comments Excellent Good Okay None Text References (if applicable) Excellent Good Okay None Listens to others/asks/answers questions Excellent Good Okay None 20
Special Note: Special Note: Inappropriate comments during the seminar will result in an F for this seminar. Such statements like, That is stupid! or Who cares what you think! are unacceptable. Violators will be forced to recant Plato s Republic for the class or take this old dude to the prom! 21
Resources Resources 1. Assigned texts within content area 2. Socrates Caf by Christopher Phillips 3. Internet 4. Lisa.Laker@ftcsc.k12.in.us 22
Works Cited Works Cited Debbie Fish, TLA Coordinator Dfish@CIESC.k12.in.us www.ncsu.edu/literacyjunction/html/tutorialsocratic .html Phillips, Christopher. Socrates Caf . W.W. Norton and Company, Inc. New York: 2000 23
Things to Ponder Things to Ponder 24
Ponder These Questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? Because Socrates would be proud, and so would I! How? 25
Final Question: Final Question: Will Socratic Seminar make a difference in your learning? 26
