I have read and heard alot about the Socratic Seminar...but I had never actually seen one in action until this week. My CT had her tenth grade honors class working towards this seminar all week. The students prepared open-ended questions to use and worked in small groups to practice being able to keep a conversation going. This Socratic seminar was the classes second one this year and they plan on having at least one more.
My CT split the student's into two groups, one group was in a circle in the middle of the second group's larger circle. The group that was not participating in the conversation were in the outer circle with individual/specific tasks given to them at the beginning of class. Those students were listening for high points, questions, disagreements, etc from the other group.
Without telling the students my CT had split the groups into the quiet students and the chatty students. She said that the first seminar didn't go as well because there are certain students who dominate the conversation and do not give the other students a chance to chime in. As of right now I only have gotten to see the talkative students have their seminar, the other group is going to go on Wednesday. I am excited to see how it works out with the quieter students. They are all really bright and I always think when I am watching this class that it is a shame that not all the students share when they get the opportunity. It is always the same students with their hands raised or shouting out answers. Even today in their Socratic seminar they were talking over one another at a few points. I love that my CT thought to split the students this way, I think it is going to work perfectly for this class but you never know they might come in and stare at each other in that circle so I guess I will see.
I've never witnessed a Socratic seminar, but my CT and I are thinking of having our students do one. Is this typically what happens, the circle within a circle? Are the students talking about the same thing both days? I'm going to have to chit-chat with you tonight about this!
ReplyDeleteI also have never witnessed a Socratic Seminar but would love to see one or even try leading one someday. Similarly, in my classes as well there is always the constant struggle of trying to hear the voices of students who do not want their voices to be heard. Although it is great to have the students who participate(don't know what I would do without them!)it is also important to hear from everyone and to encourage those quiet students to share their opinions without putting them on the spot or making them feel uncomfortable.
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