US History
Name: ________________________
American Revolution: Socratic Seminar
Preparation Guide
Read background essay, analyze documents, and come to class ready to discuss the following
Document Based Question:
How revolutionary was the American Revolution?
Ie... to what extent did the revolution change the lives of American citizens? Was this merely a
symbolic change, or were there significant long-lasting social, political, or economic
changes?
Read the background essay:
What is the difference between people who believe in a radical vs. a conservative revolution?
People who believe in a radical revolution believe….
People who believe in a conservative revolution believe….
Select 10 documents to analyze in your study guide. Then, write 2 higher level thinking discussion
questions which could be used in our Socratic seminar.
Higher-Level thinking discussion questions:
Document __
Title of Document:
Author:
Year Created/Written:
 Primary Source  Secondary Source:
What can we learn from this document (3-5 key
facts, quotes, or inferences)
How does this document help you answer the
question: How revolutionary was the American
Revolution?
Document ___
Title of Document:
Author:
Year Created/Written:
 Primary Source  Secondary Source:
What can we learn from this document (3-5 key
facts, quotes, or inferences)
How does this document help you answer the
question: How revolutionary was the American
Revolution?
Document __
Title of Document:
Author:
Year Created/Written:
 Primary Source  Secondary Source:
What can we learn from this document (3-5 key
facts, quotes, or inferences)
How does this document help you answer the
question: How revolutionary was the American
Revolution?
Document ___
Title of Document:
Author:
Year Created/Written:
 Primary Source  Secondary Source:
What can we learn from this document (3-5 key
facts, quotes, or inferences)
How does this document help you answer the
question: How revolutionary was the American
Revolution?
Document __
Title of Document:
Author:
Year Created/Written:
 Primary Source  Secondary Source:
What can we learn from this document (3-5 key
facts, quotes, or inferences)
How does this document help you answer the
question: How revolutionary was the American
Revolution?
Document ___
Title of Document:
Author:
Year Created/Written:
 Primary Source  Secondary Source:
What can we learn from this document (3-5 key
facts, quotes, or inferences)
How does this document help you answer the
question: How revolutionary was the American
Revolution?
Document __
Title of Document:
Author:
Year Created/Written:
 Primary Source  Secondary Source:
What can we learn from this document (3-5 key
facts, quotes, or inferences)
How does this document help you answer the
question: How revolutionary was the American
Revolution?
Document ___
Title of Document:
Author:
Year Created/Written:
 Primary Source  Secondary Source:
What can we learn from this document (3-5 key
facts, quotes, or inferences)
How does this document help you answer the
question: How revolutionary was the American
Revolution?
Document __
Title of Document:
Author:
Year Created/Written:
 Primary Source  Secondary Source:
What can we learn from this document (3-5 key
facts, quotes, or inferences)
How does this document help you answer the
question: How revolutionary was the American
Revolution?
Document ___
Title of Document:
Author:
Year Created/Written:
 Primary Source  Secondary Source:
What can we learn from this document (3-5 key
facts, quotes, or inferences)
How does this document help you answer the
question: How revolutionary was the American
Revolution?
After the seminar, write a one page reflective essay about your experiences and the discussion.
How revolutionary was the American Revolution?
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Socratic Seminar – Rubric – Completed by teacher

Complete sentences

Some complete

Portions incomplete.
Study Guide
used.
sentences used.

BELOW AVERAGE job


Participation

EXCELLENT job
answering questions.
Higher – level thinking
evident.
10
Actively participates in
discussion.
10
Score


answering questions.
AVERAGE job answering
questions.
9-6
Speaks at least once in
discussion.

9-6
5-0
Not properly engaged in
discussion.
5-0
/20