Introduction
What is a Socratic seminar? A Socratic seminar, sometimes just called a seminar, is a discussion format for students to use to discuss a controversial or complex issue.
- In a seminar, desks are set up in two concentric circles and the class is split in half.
- One half sits in the center circle and one in the outer.
- The inner circle is the “active” discussion, while the outer circle is the “observer” group (the outer circle can have a range of different jobs).
- About halfway through class, you can switch the inner and outer circles, so that each group has a chance to discuss the issue at hand.
The preparation
There are three parts to the Socratic seminar.
This will help you focus on what's important.
- The prompt: You will have an open-ended question based on a text.
- The prep sheet:
- Be prepared. Have your research done, your opinion ready, your supports ready.
- You fill out a preparation sheet before you come to class on the day of the seminar.
- The prep sheet has space for three things:
- an initial answer to the prompt question
- a collection of evidence from the reading(s) that supports your answer
- a space to draft questions you want to ask your peers during the seminar.
- an initial answer to the prompt question
This will help you focus on what's important.
- Remember
- Students who “hog” the conversation can lose points.
- Students who encourage their peers to speak up can earn extra points
- Seminars are not debates--seminars are discussions in which you listen to your peers and respond respectfully, and they aren’t about winning or losing.
- Stating if you agree or disagree with the previous speaker before contributing their own point.
The seminar
- Be prepared. Have your research done, your opinion ready, your supports ready.
- The leader acts as a moderator during the discussion
- Helps participants clarify their positions when there are arguments become confused.
- Quiets students so that all can participate.
To begin
- The moderator asks the participants to share a question.
- No one dominates. Everyone takes turn talking.
- No interrupting or debating.
- Acknowledge the person who speaks before you.
- The moderator can summarize or ask a participant to summarize it.