Socratic Seminars
What is a Socratic Seminar?
A Socratic seminar is a way of
teaching founded by the
Greek philosopher Socrates.
Socrates believed that:
students learn best by asking
questions.
It is the teacher’s job to
moderate the discussion
instead of leading the
discussion.
Why do we have Socratic Seminars
• Socratic Seminars help us
engage a text in class.
• The thought process is
when we work together
to understand a text it
will help everyone’s
understanding.
How do we prepare for a Socratic
Seminar?
• The days prior to the
seminar you will be given
a Socratic Seminar prep
sheet.
• It is essential you read
the text and prepare
yourself with important
questions and quotations.
What type of questions should I ask
during the seminar?
• There are four levels
of questions
(comprehension,
application, synthesis,
and evaluation).
• You should come up
with a minimum of 3
questions per level.
Level 1 (Comprehension Questions):
• Comprehension means being
able to show understanding by
talking, writing, signing, drawing.
Please use the following stems in
creating your Knowledge
Questions:
• Can you state, in your own
words?
• Can you describe?
• Can you defend your position?
• Can you summarize the
information?
• Can you distinguish between…?
Level II (Application Questions):
Application means
supporting your ideas
with evidence.
Please use the following stems
in creating your Application
Questions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Explain how …
Explain why …
Interpret the reasons …
Compare and contrast …
Connect and explain …
Do you know another instance
where?
Level III (Synthesis Questions):
Synthesis means combining
or connecting two different
elements.
In terms of the Socratic
Seminar you will be connecting
two texts with each other OR
connecting a text to the outside
world.
Level III (Synthesis Questions)
Continued
Please use the following stems
in creating your Synthesis
Questions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Imagine …
What would happen if …?
Hypothesize …
Theorize …
Speculate…
How is Text similar to
Outside World?
Level III (Evaluative)
Questions that make judgments.
• Is there a better solution to…
• Can you defend your position about…
• How effective are…
• How would you have handled…
What will the seminar look like?
• The classroom will be arranged in a
two concentric circles.
• You will be assigned to either
seminar A or seminar B.
• You will be assigned a partner in
the opposite seminar.
FOR EXAMPLE:
If I am in seminar A my partner will
be in seminar B
Ms. Connell will be facilitating, but
NOT participating in the seminar.
How does the discussion work in a
seminar?
• The seminar is to serve
as a discussion, not a
lecture. Just like in a
casual conversation, no
one begins the
conversation, a
conversation begins
naturally.
Seminar Guidelines
• Please listen and look at each
other when you speak.
• Don’t raise hands
• One person speaks at a time.
• Each person will have a
chance to ask a question.
• Respond to the person who
asks the question.
• Use evidence from the text
to support yourself.
• Always treat each other with
mutual respect.
How will I be assessed on the
seminar?
•
•
By completing the seminar prep sheet. (30 pts).
By contributing to the conversation following
these guidelines:
- Ask a question.
– Respond to a question.
– Cite evidence from the text.
Please think on your feet
Texts
Seminar A – “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan
Poe
Seminar B – “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar
Allan Poe
Useful Verbs for Question
Starters
Comprehension
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Explain
Interpret
Outline
Discuss
Distinguish
Predict
Restate
Translate
Compare
Describe
Application Questions
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Solve
Show
Use
Illustrate
Construct
Complete
Examine
Classify
Synthesis
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Create
Invent
Compose
Predict
Plan
Construct
Design
Imagine
Propose
Devise
Formulate
Evaluation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Judge
Select
Choose
Decide
Justify
Debate
Verify
Argue
Recommend
Assess
Discuss
Prioritize
Determine