Socratic Seminar

During Socratic Seminar I should 

• try to talk over every one else to sound smart.
• slouch down in my seat, avoid eye contact and pretend I'm not here.
• roll my eyes when other people speak. 
• patiently listen to others and respectfully respond with evidence from the text.

The following is an example of respectful disagreement:

• No! YOU are wrong!
• How can you even think that?
• I hear what you are saying and I think that_________________. 
• Did you even read the text?

What is a side conversation?

• Conversation that is to the group
• Conversation with everyone
• Conversation NOT to the group, but with an individual
• Conversations that are more important than learning what the teacher is making us do.

What is a side conversation?

• Conversation that is directed to the group about the text
• Conversation that is on topic and relevant to the Socratic Seminar
• Conversation directed only to the person sitting near me
• Conversations that are more important than learning what the teacher is making us do.

What is a side conversation?

• Conversation that deepens the Seminar
• Conversation that is on topic and relevant to the Socratic Seminar
• Conversation that disrupts the Seminar 
• Conversations that are more important than learning what the teacher is making us do.

It is okay to respectfully disagree with your classmates. 

• True
• False

If I disagree with someone, I can be rude and yell.

• True
• False

During a Socratic Seminar you should interrupt your classmates if you have a very important point to make. 

• False!
• True! 

During Socratic Seminar I should

• use my best active listening skills—nod, make eye contact, lean forward, provide feedback, and listen carefully to others.
• have side conversations to show how I am "cool". 
• sigh often and loudly because I don't need to learn anything new.
• make rude comments so everyone will pay attention to me and keep everyone from learning and particpating. 

Reading and marking the text before Socratic Seminar

• is silly, busy work that I shouldn't have to do because I already know everything.
• is a waste of time because I can fool everyone into thinking I know more than I actually do. 
• is dumb because I don't need to know what the text is about to participate in Socratic Seminar. 
• helps me to understand the text so I can participate in the dialogue during Socratic Seminar.