Silent Socratic Seminar - The Giver
We have almost completed the reading of the book, The Giver, by Lois Lowry. In order to prepare for and introduce you to some
strategies used in high school courses, you are going to participate in a Socratic Seminar.
"The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates' theory that it is more important to enable students to think for
themselves than to merely fill their heads with "right" answers. Therefore, he regularly engaged his pupils in dialogues by
responding to their questions with questions, instead of answers. “
(**Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher; he developed a Theory of Knowledge)
How do I participate in a seminar?
1. Refer to the text when needed during the discussion. A seminar is not a test of memory. You are not "learning a
subject"; your goal is to understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in the text.
2. It's up to you to make sure you participate in the online conversation.
3. Do not participate if you are not prepared. It will be obvious that you are not prepared; however, you must
participate in order to get a grade for this assignment.
4. Do not stay confused about someone’s comment/question; ask for clarification.
5. Respond on the discussion board like you would in a conversation. Ask questions. Relate what you are saying to
what was just written.
6. Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to.
7. Write clearly so that everyone can understand you.
8. Discuss the ideas rather than each other's opinions.
9. You are responsible for the seminar.
10. Start discussing whichever question you would like to first, and then look on other boards to participate in
ongoing discussions or check your discussion for classmate responses to what you said.
What roles are there in a seminar?
✴
You will be evaluated on quality comments. Comments do not equal questions or “I agree/disagree” statements without explaining
why.
✴
You must be actively engaging in discussions at least 3 of the 6 questions.
✴
To participate, students must have their preparation assignment completed.
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Students must follow rules of courteous discussion on home page.
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Conversations should be silent and in writing; do not say aloud what it is that you want to say. Write it into the discussion online.
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Do respect other people’s opinion; share your own opinion, give people time to respond.
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During discussion you must write down 2 quality comments from others.
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Test questions will be taken from questions discussed during the seminar, so it is best to take many notes.
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You are not to draw attention to yourself for the sole purpose of seeking attention; off-topic or overtly “silly” comments that disrupt the
flow of the conversation will subtract from your overall grade.
How do I prepare for our classroom seminar?
★ Complete the assigned reading. (Chapters 1-19)
★ Take extensive notes on the questions below; be sure that your ideas are organized so that you can refer to them during
the seminar.
★Use Post-It Notes to mark important pages and quotes in your novel that you want to refer to during the seminar.
★You will bring your book with the marked quotes and pages, as well as your question handout and graphic organizer with
you to the seminar.
1.
What changes would you make to the community? What rules do you like? Dislike? Why?
2.
What is Release? Did you think Release is ever justified? When?
3.
Sameness was encouraged. Do you agree that we should all try to be more alike? Do you think the world would
be better if we tried to fit in?
4. What do you think the theme is concerning memories? Give examples from the book where this theme is
developed.
5. Which of the following statements do you think most describes Jonas. Why?
Jonas is different than the other children his age.
Jonas doesn’t want to be The Receiver.
Jonas feels the community is unfair.
6. Name a law within the community and describe the possible benefits of it. What was the purpose behind the rule?
What problems are avoided because of the rule?
7. What does the community give up to follow these rules?
The rubric for seminar participation
These are the expectations for your participation in the final seminar. You will be scored out of 10, but the score will be
multiplied by 5 to be out of 50 points.
Level of achievement
5
Descriptor
•
•
•
6
•
•
I understood very little about what I
read.
I did not show that I understood the
issue.
I use very little support or no detail
I show limited understanding of what I
read.
I show a limited understanding of the
issue.
Task clarifications
✴ What I say does not connect to the
question.
✴
What I say does is not backed
up by evidence from the story
✴
What I say has little
connection to what the other
people say in the seminar.
✴
I ignore the others or distract
the others in the seminar.
✴
✴
✴
✴
7
•
•
I had a basic understanding of the
issue.
I use very basic details to support my
point of view.
✴
✴
✴
8
•
•
I show a good understanding of the
issues.
I use strong details to support my
ideas.
✴
✴
✴
✴
9-10
•
•
I show a deep understanding of the
issue.
I support my ideas with excellent
details.
✴
✴
✴
My notes show that I have
some evidence to support my
opinion on the question.
From what I say, I show that I
have some understanding of
the question.
I do listen to the seminar, but
I do not ask for clarification
or follow up on what others
have said.
I mainly rely on my opinions
rather than on specific
support from historical facts.
I make points with evidence
from the story which show
good understanding of the
question.
I have come prepared with
notes and evidence.
I listen, and ask for
clarification or I successfully
offer clarification if
necessary.
I have come to the seminar
prepared, with notes
containing points which
connect to the question and
evidence.
My comments show that I
was actively listening to other
participants
I offer or ask for clarification
and/or follow-up to extend
the conversation
My comments often refer
back to specific events which
directly connect to the
question.
I offer deep analysis referring
back to facts
On several occasions, I
moved the conversation
forward
I demonstrate a deep
knowledge of the issue.