FISHBOWL DISCUSSION The Crucible What is a Socratic Seminar discussion? Socrates was a famous philosopher and teacher who was well known for asking questions. He taught his students to think critically by teaching them to question the world around them and ideas presented to them. A Socratic discussion focuses on conversation for understanding and learning. It is not a debate to be won, or where there is one right or wrong answer. A Socratic discussion should have the following: Ground Rules for Group Participants: 1. Respond to question and to evidence in the text to support your answers, providing page numbers for easy reference. 2. Listen to what others say and BUILD on their comments, offering additional evidence, when appropriate. 3. Ask questions to clarify and/or to another participant’s thoughts and ideas. “probe” 4. Don’t step on each other’s talk; be patient and stay focused (do not raise hands). 5. Be open to new ideas and interpretations. 6. Watch your time” both in terms of how often you speak, and how much you say when “air you speak. While you are an observer, answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper: 1. How did listening to the conversation increase/reinforce/cause you to question or change your initial response to these inquiry questions? 2. Identify a point or opinion with which you particularly agree or disagree. What was it and why do you agree/disagree with it? 3. Identify a point or opinion which you would like to build or extend. Explain how/why you would do this. 4. What question would you ask a participant or the group as a whole? Why would you ask this question and how would you answer it? 5. Which of the questions asked during the discussion would you like to answer and what would your answer be? The purpose of a Socratic Seminar is to achieve a deeper understanding the ideas and values in a text. In the Seminar, participants systematically question and examine issues and principles related to a particular content, and articulate different points-of-view. The group conversation assists participants in constructing meaning through disciplined analysis, interpretation, listening, and participation.
FISHBOWL DISCUSSION The Crucible What is a Socratic Seminar discussion? Socrates was a famous philosopher and teacher who was well known for asking questions. He taught his students to think critically by teaching them to question the world around them and ideas presented to them. A Socratic discussion focuses on conversation for understanding and learning. It is not a debate to be won, or where there is one right or wrong answer. A Socratic discussion should have the following: Ground Rules for Group Participants: 1. Respond to question and to evidence in the text to support your answers, providing page numbers for easy reference. 2. Listen to what others say and BUILD on their comments, offering additional evidence, when appropriate. 3. Ask questions to clarify and/or to “probe” another participant’s thoughts and ideas. 4. Don’t step on each other’s talk; be patient and stay focused (do not raise hands). 5. Be open to new ideas and interpretations. 6. Watch your “air time” both in terms of how often you speak, and how much you say when you speak. While you are an observer, answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper: 1. How did listening to the conversation increase/reinforce/cause you to question or change your initial response to these inquiry questions? 2. Identify a point or opinion with which you particularly agree or disagree. What was it and why do you agree/disagree with it? 3. Identify a point or opinion which you would like to build or extend. Explain how/why you would do this. 4. What question would you ask a participant or the group as a whole? Why would you ask this question and how would you answer it? 5. Which of the questions asked during the discussion would you like to answer and what would your answer be? The purpose of a Socratic Seminar is to achieve a deeper understanding the ideas and values in a text. In the Seminar, participants systematically question and examine issues and principles related to a particular content, and articulate different points-of-view. The group conversation assists participants in constructing meaning through disciplined analysis, interpretation, listening, and participation.
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