Socratic+Seminar

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= GT Weekly Teaching Strategy: 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. This process encourages divergent thinking rather than convergent. Students are given opportunities to "examine" a common piece of text, whether it is in the form of a novel, poem, art print, or piece of music. After "reading" the common text open-ended questions are posed. Open-ended questions allow students to think critically, analyze multiple meanings in text, and express ideas with clarity and confidence. Dialogue is exploratory and involves the suspension of biases and prejudices. Participants in a Socratic Seminar respond to one another with respect by carefully listening instead of interrupting. Students are encouraged to "paraphrase" essential elements of another's ideas before responding, either in support of or in disagreement. Members of the dialogue look each other in the "eyes" and use each other’s names. **Questions for clarification:** Why do you say that? How does this relate to our discussion? What do you mean by? What do we already know about? What could we assume instead? How can you verify or disprove that assumption? Could you explain how you arrived at that conclusion? What would happen if? Do you agree or disagree with this statement? What would be an example? What is _ analogous to? What do you think causes __ to happen? What evidence is there to support your answer? What would be an alternative? What is another way to look at it? Would you explain why it is beneficial/necessary? Why is _ best? What are the strengths and weaknesses of _? How are and _ similar? What generalizations can you make? What are you implying? How does _ affect _? How does _ tie in with what we’ve learned? Why is _ important? What was the point of this question? Why do you think I asked this question? What does _ mean? How does apply to everyday life?
 * __ The Six Types of Socratic Questions __**
 * Questions that probe assumptions:**
 * Questions that probe reasons and** **evidence:**
 * Questions about viewpoints and** **perspectives**:
 * Questions that probe implications and consequences:**
 * Questions about the question:**

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