Socratic Circles
What is a Socratic Circle?
A Socratic Circle is a way
of teaching founded by
the Greek philosopher
“Socrates”.
Socrates believed that:
• Students learn best by
asking questions.
• It is the teacher’s job to
moderate the discussion
instead of leading the
discussion.
A Peek into “Socratic Circles”
As you watch the video….take notes
1.
What is the teacher’s role?
2.
What is the students’ role?
3.
How is this learning experience like/unlike what you
have experienced in the classroom?
Why do we have Socratic Circles?
• Socratic Circles help us
engage a text in class.
• The thought process when
we work together to
understand a text, will help
everyone’s understanding.
• You will gain a deeper
understanding as you
discuss your reactions,
opinions, and ask questions
as you apply the information
to your own lives and the
world around you.
How do we prepare for a Socratic
Seminar?
• You will be given a text
to read and a Socratic
Circle Prep Worksheet.
• Your job is to carefully
read the text and then
write down important
questions and
quotations.
What type of questions should I ask during the
Socratic Circle?
Ask questions that do
not have a simple “Yes”
or “No” answer.
• Example: “As I was
reading the text, I was
wondering…
• Is anyone confused
about…?
• I think the author was
trying to
explain/prove…What
do you think?
Thin Questions
• Thin questions deal with specific
content or words you don’t know.
• Answers to thin questions are
short and close-ended.
Thick Question
• A question that requires more than a
one or two word response.
• It deals with the big picture and large
concepts
• Thick answers are involved, complex,
and open-ended.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Who were the main characters in the story?
Thin
Where did this story take place?
Thin
What does the word “porridge” mean?
Thin
How would you feel if someone broke into your house?
Thick
What is the lesson of this story?
Thick
Thinking Stems: Questioning
THIN
• Who…?
• What…?
• When…?
• Where…?
• How many…?
• What does the
word ___ mean?
THICK
• Why…?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What if…?
What might…?
How would I feel…?
How does ___ feel about…?
I wonder why…?
How come…?
How could…?
What is happening…?
So what…?
Support your ideas with evidence…
• Explain how …
• Explain why …
• Use the numbered lines
from the text when
asking or answering
questions or giving an
opinion.
• Ex: In line 25 the text
states that the bear was
embarrassed….
Connect your questions/opinions to other
texts or the world
• Imagine …
• What would happen if …?
• How is this text similar to other
books or articles you’ve read?
• How is this text related to
something happening in the
world around you?
What will the Socratic Circle look like?
• The classroom will be
arranged in a circle.
• Mrs. Kruse will be
facilitating, but not
providing answers.
• You will be discussing…no
need to raise your hand.
• Everyone speaks clearly
and participates.
What are some guidelines we might
need?
• Think, Pair Share
Guidelines for our Socratic Circle…
• Speak Clearly.
• Listen and look at each other when
you speak.
• One person speaks at a time.
• Respond to the person who asks the
question.
• Use evidence from the text to
support yourself.
• Always treat each other with respect.
Which is more important?
Pitcher
Catcher
Which is more important?
Writer
Reader
Annotating Text
“Having a conversation with words on a page”
(Claggett, Reid, Vinz 1998)
In a Socratic Circle you will learn to…
• Listen more effectively
• Learn from others
to what others say.
• Explain your ideas
more clearly
• Speak and work well
with others
• Admit when you’re
wrong
• Be more open-minded
• Analyze and question
what you have read or
heard.
• Relate text to your life
and/or the world
around you.
• Realize that
sometimes there is no
right answer!