WELCOME TO THE….
Socratic Circle
WHAT DOES SOCRATIC
MEAN? YOU ASK…..
 The word “Socratic” comes from the name Socrates (ca. 470-399
B.C.), a Classical Greek
 philosopher who developed a Theory of Knowledge.
WHAT WAS SOCRATES'
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE?
 Socrates believed that the answers to all human questions and
problems can be found within us.
 But we are often unaware of the answers and solutions we posses
 Socrates was convinced that the best way to discover those
answers & discover reliable knowledge was through the practice of
disciplined conversation.
 He called this method the “dialectic.”
WHAT DOES DIALECTIC
MEAN?
 Dialectic is the art or practice of examining opinions or ideas
logically
 often by the method of question and answer, so as to determine
their validity (truth)
HOW DID SOCRATES USE
THE DIALECTIC?
 Socrates believed that through the process of dialogue, where everyone was
forced to clarify their ideas, the final outcome of the conversation would be a clear
statement of what was meant.
 The technique appears simple but it is very hard to do!
 Socrates would pretend ignorance about a subject and try to draw out from the
other person his fullest possible knowledge about it.
 Socrates’ assumption was that by continually correcting incomplete or inaccurate
ideas through discussion, you could get the truth out of anyone.
WHAT IS A SOCRATIC
CIRCLE?
 A Socratic circle (aka Socratic seminar) is a process to try to understand info by
creating the dialectic in class.
 In a Socratic circle, participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas
through thoughtful dialogue, rather than by memorizing bits of information.
 A Socratic Circle is NOT A DEBATE!!!!!
 The goal of this activity is to have participants work together to construct
meaning & arrive at an answer, not for one student or one group to “win the
argument.”
HOW DOES A SOCRATIC
CIRCLE WORK?
 1. On the day before a Socratic Circle is scheduled, the teacher hands out a
discussion topic or a short passage of text.
 2. The students spend time reading, analyzing, researching and taking notes
over the section of text/ discussion topic.
 3. At the beginning of class the next day, students form a circle.
 4. One student will be the recorder.
 5. One student will be the monitor.
CONT’D
 5. Since this is a team effort, there will be a team grade. The whole
class will get the same grade, with two exceptions: students who do not
participate at all will be marked down; other students who perform truly
exceptional group-benefit feats - for example by “saving” or immensely
uplifting a discussion that is going bad - will be eligible for independent
work credit.
KEEP IN MIND…..
 A discussion for which everyone would receive an “A” would look like this:
 - Everyone participates, and more or less equally.
 - Moves at a good pace
 - Students don’t talk over each other
 - There is an attempt to resolve questions and issues before moving on to new ones.
 - The loud do not dominate; the shy are encouraged. Everyone is clearly understood.
 - Students are animated, sincere, helpful.
 - The conversation is lively.
 - When the process is not working, the group adjusts. Those unhappy with the process say so.
 - Students take risks and dig for new meanings.
 - Students back up what they say with examples, quotations, etc.
 - All students come well-prepared.
 - The text is referred to often.
 Students aren’t repetitive or negative
I’M SO EXCITED!!!!!