SOCRATIC DISCUSSION
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
DIALOGUE
 In dialogue, one listens to understand, to make meaning, and to
find common ground
 Dialogue calls for temporarily suspending one’s beliefs
 Dialogue respects all the other participants and seeks not to
alienate or offend
GUIDELINES FOR LEADERS
 Set the stage
 Beware of trying to be perfect
 Subject matter of seminars is understanding of issues and ideas
 Stay with the text
 Follow every answer with another question, building upon the
answer just given
GUIDELINES FOR LEADERS
CONTINUED
 Rephrase questions until they are understood
 Wait for students to respond; thinking is OK
 Draw out the reasons for and the implications of student’s answers
 Insist that answers be clear and adequately explained
 Do not insist on agreement in matters of opinion; encourage
discussion of differences
GUIDELINES FOR LEADERS
CONTINUED
 There is no need to reach resolution, compromise/synthesis or
closure
 Recognize listening as a form of participation
 It’s OK to coach students in Socratic discussion
GUIDELINES FOR
PARTICIPANTS
 Refer to the text when needed during the discussion.
*Do not stay confused; ask for clarification
*Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas
you want to come back to.
*Don’t raise hands; take turns speaking
*Listen carefully
GUIDELINES FOR
PARTICIPANTS CONTINUED
 Speak up so all can hear you
 Talk to each other; not just to the leader or teacher
 Discuss ideas rather than each other’s opinions
 You are responsible for the discussion to be a success
LET’S BEGIN
 Read the text silently and individually
 Examine the text closely and annotate
 Work with partner directly in front or behind you
 Identify the Great Ideas in the text
 Leader: start discussion with one of the following: Ranking, How,
or Generic question.
DISCUSSION BEGINS
 Inner circle begins discussion based on the leader’s question
 Guidelines for participants followed
 Leader follows “leader” guidelines to keep discussion on track
 Leader stops discussion and presents another idea or open ended
question
 Inner circle discusses the new idea or question to partner in outer
circle
DISCUSSION CONTINUES
 Leader asks inner circle to switch with outer circle so that new
voices are heard during discussion
 Remind outer circle that they can not engage in discussion but may
take notes
 Be open to new ideas, and personal opinions changing!
SOCRATES
 Let him that would move the world first move himself
 Socratic Seminars International: [email protected]
 Common core Standards: RL 1.7, SL 7.a.b.c.d
MCEF
 Room 2 is very grateful for our new computers
 Our research is focused and shared within our Google doc accounts
 Vocabulary and grammar activities are interactive
 We acknowledge each other’s writing and help each other become
better writers
 Connecting to each other and the world opens our minds to all
knowledge
PTA
 Thank you for making Miller a family
 Back to school BBQ
 Honorary service awards
 Magazine drive
 Corrals
 Community connection