Socratic Discussion

using socratic discussion to help students make connections in literature

• Overview
• Agreements
• Preparation
• Support

Socratic discussion

A discussion faciliatated by questions to better understand different perspectives and ideas about a text.Socratic Discussion helps students: 1) Practice active listening skills 2) Explore new perspectives from their peers 3) Engage with the text in a deeper way

Richard Feynman

I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.

classroom agreements

• Student created
• Based on openness and understanding
• Supports lack of judgment
• Students agree each time you have a discussion

+ Example

Preparation

Students prepare by: reading text sections or articles, highlighting or marking up text, answering preparatory questions

Teachers prepare by: creating preparatory questions and text sections or articles, going over rubrics, explaining discussion moves

Example discussion moves

Clarification

Could you explain your point further?

connection

What other texts had ideas similar to what you are talking about?

agreement/disagreement

Have you considered a differing perspective?

opinion

What do you think about these ideas?

Pro tips

Modeling

Wait time, active listening, active observation

Resources

Rubrics, discussion moves, agreements

Use of Text

Books, articles, notebooks, preparation

Questions?