Mr. Rabach, Captains English – Seminar Goals/Questions/Assessment
NAME:__________________________________ MOD:___________________
Participation Goals for Our Seminar:
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I will speak at least _______ times.
I will speak at most _______ times.
I will refer to the text at least _______ times.
I will say, “I want to build on what (student name) said,” or, “I have a
question about what (student name) said.”
I will say, “I agree/disagree with (student name) because…”
I will take notes on others’ comments.
Socratic Seminar Questions for “The First Step on New Soil”
Opening Questions:
1) The title of this piece is “The First Step on New Soil”. What might be
a different title? Why?
2) In your opinion, what was the most unusual thing about America
that fascinated the immigrants? Why?
Core Questions:
1) What were some of the steps the immigrants felt they should take to
avoid being considered a “greenhorn”? Why?
2) Did the immigrants believe it was important to assimilate (blend in)
to a new culture? Why?
3) Does the immigrants’ concept of what was “free” in America
match what you think is free?
Closing Questions:
1) Some people believe that we take for granted what we have
always had. Is that idea expressed in this piece? Why or why not?
2) Horace Mann, a famous educational reformer is quoted as saying,
“Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the
great equalizer of the conditions of men.” Do the ideas in this
piece of writing support that quote. Why or why not?
Mr. Rabach, Captains English – Seminar Goals/Questions/Assessment
NAME:__________________________________ MOD:___________________
STUDENT SELF-ASSESSMENT
SOCRATIC SEMINAR TOPIC:
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PART 1
Place a check mark () next to your behavior in each category
POSITIVE BEHAVIORS
NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS
 I was courteous to others
 I interrupted others
 I paused & thought before speaking
 I did not look at the person speaking
 I listened to others tell their ideas
 I raised my hand to speak
 I kept an open mind concerning
different opinions
 I did not speak at all
 I built upon what was said
 I talked too much
 I used information from the text to
support my statements/questions
 I talked about subjects other than the
text
 I felt comfortable speaking in seminar
 I did not listen to others
 I gave my opinions clearly
 I was discourteous to others
 I acted as a positive role model for
others
 I was not prepared for seminar
 I was prepared for seminar
PART 2
** Complete on a separate piece of notebook paper in your
“Writers Read” section. Use complete sentences for 2-3
paragraphs (5-7 sentences per paragraph on average).
Please also assess the group as a whole. What behaviors did you witness? What
about the group dynamic made this a positive experience for you? What changes
would make it a better experience?