Typical Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan
TOPIC: Socratic Seminar on “A Modest Proposal”
OBJECTIVE: SWBAT participate in a Socratic Seminar
MATERIALS NEEDED: copies of text and observation form (reflection?)
PROCEDURES: (Circles will be set-up for inner/outer; name-tags will be placed on desks [if students made
them]; students are partners with the student sitting behind them)
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Independent: Answer the opening question. (2-3 minutes)
o Remind students to refer to the text
Partner share: opening-question responses with textual support (2-3 minutes)
o Students may change/expand their initial response after talking to a partner
Teacher-directed: Review Ground Rules
o Students should circle/highlight one ground rule on the text as their goal/focus for the
Seminar
Teacher: Pose opening question aloud - anyone may begin
Teacher: Facilitate student discussion/dialogue
o Remind students to refer to the text – Where do you see that in the text? How can we
connect that to the text?
Teacher: Stop first Seminar after half the class is over. Switch inner/outer
Students: Conduct a quick (2 min) share with partner: anything they wanted to say but didn’t
Teacher: Begin 2nd Seminar
o Can re-address the opening question
o Can allow students to pick up where the last group left off
o Can pose a new question
Teacher: Facilitate student discussion/dialogue
End Seminar; explain reflection assignment
HOMEWORK: Complete Socratic Seminar Reflection