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Think! Like Socrates

Socratic Seminars using the “shared inquiry” approach
Learn how and why to conduct Socratic Seminars using the inquiry approach to interpreting literature.
Teachers will learn to:

  • Use the inquiry method to implement Socratic Seminar Discussions

  • Recognize Socratic Seminar Discussions as an "elegant solution" for teaching how to interpret an author's meaning

  • Articulate the benefits of using Socratic Seminar Discussions to improve students' comprehension, critical thinking, and engagement

  • Increase rigor in their ELA instruction

1-Day Program Structure

 

 

Pre-Reading:

Journal articles

Hour One: 

Orientation to Socratic Seminar Discussions 

Hour Two:

Modeling a Socratic Seminar Discussion with teachers

Hour Three:

Debriefing of seminar and analysis of Socratic Seminar Discussions

Lunch Break

 

Hour Four:

Modeling a Socratic Seminar Discussion with a class of students

Hour Five:

Debriefing of student discussion; teaching methods and procedures

Hour Six:

Lesson planning; choosing texts; writing questions; Q&A; summary of the day

Kudos from Davidson County Schools:
  • Teachers consistently praised Mrs. Miller for her presentation and content.

  • They felt the session was practical and could be easily implemented in their classrooms.

  • Her use of student groups was effective in showing teachers how best practices with Socratic Seminars could be implemented and monitored.

  • Passion, drive, and persistence best describe Mrs. Miller's attitude and demeanor with the professional growth of educators.

  • She provided outstanding support for our teachers and supplemented her session with valuable resources.

  • We look forward to further success with our higher learners as teachers implement Socratic Seminars within their ELA classrooms.

For further information, contact:

Louise E. Miller, Ed.S., NBCT  at  ThinkLouiseMiller@gmail.com

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