Deliberate Questioning: Using
Socratic Seminars to Develop
Critical Thinkers
Susan Baum, Ph.D.
International Center for Talent
Development
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What is a Socratic Seminar?
A Socratic seminar 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.
Why do we have Socratic Seminars
• Socratic Seminars help us
engage a text in class.
• The thought process is
when we work together
to understand a text it
will help everyone’s
understanding.
How do we prepare for a Socratic
Seminar?
• The day prior to the
seminar you will be given
a Socratic Seminar prep
sheet. Your job is to
complete steps 1 – 4 for
homework.
• It is essential you read
the text and prepare
yourself with
important questions
and quotations.
Socratic Seminar Entry Card
Things that were
interesting or
confusing:
My Question(s)
1.
2.
KINDS OF QUESTIONS TO
CONSIDER
WORLD CONNECTION
QUESTION:
• Write a question
connecting the
article or Ted
Talk to to the real
world.
In my Ted Talk,
Origami was seen as a
tool to real world
issues. How can one
apply their own
talents to a wider
audience.
CLOSEENDED
QUESTION
Write a question about
the text that will help
everyone in the
class come to an
agreement about events or
characters in the text.
This question usually has
one right answer. What
aspect of creativity was
show in the article you
read>
OPEN-ENDED
QUESTION
Write an insightful question
about the text that will require
proof and group discussion and
"construction of logic" to
discover or explore the answer
to the question.
Are theire personality
characteristics that define the
creative personality? Is this
useful way to examine
creativity?
UNIVERSAL
Are school’s killing
THEME/
creativity?
CORE
QUESTION:
Write a question
dealing with a
theme(s) of the text
that will
encourage group
discussion about
the universality of
the text.
What will the seminar look like?
The classroom will be
arranged in a two
concentric circles.
• Inner circle holds the
discussion.
• Outer circle observes and
records.
• Can switch half way
through.
Topics for observation
• TALLYING PARTNERS RESPONSES AND
KINDS OF QUESTIONS
• NOTICING WHO IS RESPONDING
• COMMENTS FOUND INTERESTING
• GOOD LISTENING
How does the discussion work in a
seminar?
• The seminar is to serve
as a discussion, not a
lecture. Just like in a
casual conversation, no
one begins the
conversation, a
conversation begins
naturally.
Seminar Guidelines
• Please listen and look at
each other when you speak.
• One person speaks at a
time.
• Each person will have a
chance to ask a question.
• Respond to the person who
asks the question.
• Use evidence from the text
to support yourself.
• Always treat each other with
mutual respect.
Stem Questions that Facilitate &
Sustain Dialogue
• These stem questions are not only for the
leader of the seminar but for participant use
as well. It is a great idea to post the list in
your classroom as a reference tool for
students. At first, when students use them,
they may seem a bit artificial; however, the
more you make them a regular practice in
your classroom, the more comfortable and
automatic they will become for both you
and your students. (SEE HANDOUT PP 45)
How will I be assessed on the
seminar?
•
•
By completing the seminar prep sheet. (30
pts).
By contributing to the conversation following
these guidelines:
- Ask a question.
– Respond to a question.
– Cite evidence from the text.
• All three requirements: 30 points.
• Two requirements:
20 points.
• 1 requirement:
10 points.
• No requirements:
0 points.
What do we need to do after the
seminar?
• The last 5 - 10
minutes of class on
the day of a seminar:
• JOURNAL ENTRY
• ABOUT WHAT YOU
LIKED ABOUT THE
SEMINAR AND
WHAT YOU
LEARNED ABOUT
YOURSELF.