The Great Gatsby: Socratic
Seminar #1
CA Focus Standard:
LRA 3.2 Analyze how theme
presents an author’s view of life.
OBJECTIVE: SWBAT prepare for Socratic
Seminar discussion of The Great Gatsby gain
a deeper understanding of The Great Gatsby
(through chapter 6) by completing the
Socratic Seminar Preparation Guide which
includes focus questions and annotations of
the text.
What is a socratic seminar?
•Socratic seminar is a method of teaching
developed by Socrates. He engaged his
students in intellectual discussion by
responding to questions with questions,
instead of answers. This method encouraged
the students to think for themselves rather
than being told what to think.
By participating in a Socratic
Seminar you will practice
academic behavior that will be
expected in college and/or the
workplace environment.
This behavior includes:
LISTENING, ASKING, AND
DISCUSSING
YOU SHOW ACADEMIC
BEHAVIOR by
a.
Participating when it is your turn to speak.
b.
Expressing yourself clearly in
sophisticated language.
c.
Respecting others by avoiding side
conversation and rude behaviors such as
negative body language.
d.
Speaking when it only when it is your turn
and not interrupting or cutting someone off.
e.
Making logical comments that are related
to the topic and issue being discussed.
Seminar Preparation: Part 1
First, we will learn about Taxonomy and practice
writing questions that will generate high level
thinking and interesting discussion.
Then, you will use the Taxonomy guide to write
individual questions about The Great Gatsby.
Finally, you will share questions as a group and
answer these together, by gathering evidence from
notes and book.
Questions
LEVEL 1A: What is the mother's advice for
the three little pigs?
LEVEL 1B: How would you compare the
three little pigs' reactions to their mother's
advice?
LEVEL 2A: Which of the three approaches
would you select to build your house?
LEVEL 2B: What is the relationship between
the three pigs and the wolf?
SYNTHESIS AND
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
With your pod, write a Level 3A & 3B
question about the story titled "The Three
Little Pigs".
Seminar Preparation: Part 2
Read and Annotate Write three focus questions
that you will contribute to the class discussion to
enrich our understanding of the novel.
Write possible answers to your own questions.
Include Textual evidence and Analysis
POD PREPARATION WORK
Students will generate three prompts for
discussion on the right-hand side of their Cornell
Notes.
Students should keep the Focus Questions for
the Seminar in mind when designing their
prompts.
Sample Prompt:
Evaluate the role that race plays in the
speaker’s perspective on the American Dream
in “I, Too.”
Purpose of the Seminar
SCHOLARS will…
Explore the symbolism of Jay Gatsby.
Identify the theme communicated by the
archetypal character of Jay Gatsby.
Evaluate the ideals communicated by F. Scott
Fitzgerald through the character of Jay Gatsby.
PART THREE
BIG QUESTIONS FOR THE SEMINAR:
A. Is Gatsby really “Great”?
B. What qualities make him not/so?
C. What AMERICAN IDEAS or
IDEALS does Gatsby represent?
D. Do these ideals persist today? Are
these still valuable to our culture?
Why or why not?
WRAP UP-Outer Circle Whip around
I liked when _______ said __________
because _______________.
An interesting idea _______________
Something I learned from the discussion
______________________.
I still don’t understand _____________.