Name: _____________________ 

SOCRATIC SEMINAR INFORMATION 

Background 
The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates’ explanation (why something works or 
happens the way it does) that it is more important for students to think for themselves than to give 
them the “right” answers. Therefore, he regularly engaged his students in conversation by 
responding to their questions with other questions, instead of answers. This process encourages 
students to think differently, rather than just agree on the same point. Students are given a change to 
“examine” a common piece of text and present open-ended questions. With careful examination of 
the text, students can express their ideas with clearness and confidence. This format for discussion 
allows students to learn from each other and generate their opinions based on ideas presented by 
their classmates.  
Procedures 
1. Using our collection of articles about the brain and technology the focus of study and discussion, 
students will explore important themes and character development, drawing connections to their 
own lives and the history of the text.   
2. The teacher will facilitate discussion, prompting students with an open-ended, challenging 
question as the starting point for the seminar discussion (How much screen time is too much?). The 
question is worded to prompt different perspectives and complex thinking. Participants may also 
come up with relevant questions to discuss. 
3. In preparation for the seminar, all students will have actively read and annotated the texts, in 
order to build background knowledge for participation in the discussion. Additionally, all students 
will have completed the “Socratic Seminar Preparation Guide”.  
4. Once the seminar begins, all participants should be involved and should make sure others in the 
group are drawn into the discussion. 
5. The teacher will begin the discussion with the open-ended question designed to create 
investigation and different opinions.  
6. Each student is responsible for participating a minimum of three times during the discussion. 
Each time the student participates, he or she will flip over the “chip” on their desk from yellow to 
red, as a visual reminder of their level of involvement.  
7. The teacher will be tracking student participation and students will be graded based on their 
involvement in the discussion and whether or not they stick to the accepted norms.  
8. The discussion will continue until the teacher/facilitator calls time. At that time, the group will 
their process and fill out a reflection form.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Socratic Seminar:  Participant Rubric  
     
A Level 
Participant   Participant offers enough solid analysis, without prompting, to move the conversation forward  

Participant, through her comments, demonstrates a deep knowledge of the text and the question  

     Participant has come to the seminar prepared, with notes and 
     a marked/annotated text    

Participant, through her comments, shows that she is actively 

 listening to other participants  

    Participant offers clarification and/or follow-up that extends 

    the conversation  

   Participant’s remarks often refer back to specific parts of the text.  

   
     

B Level  Participant offers solid analysis without prompting  

Participant  
Through comments, participant demonstrates a good knowledge of the text and the 
question  

      Participant has come to the seminar prepared, with notes and 
      a marked/annotated text  

     Participant shows that he/she is actively listening to others 

     and  offers clarification and/or follow-up  

   
        
     Participant offers some analysis, but needs prompting from the 
C Level       seminar leader  
Participant 
Through comments, participant demonstrates a general 
 knowledge of the text and question  

     Participant is less prepared, with few notes and no 

      marked/annotated text  

       Participant is actively listening to others, but does not offer 

       clarification and/or follow-up to others’ comments  

 Participant relies more upon his or her opinion, and less on the text to drive her comments  
       
    Participant offers little commentary  
D or F 
Level     Participant comes to the seminar ill-prepared with little 
Participant       understanding of the text and question  
   Participant does not listen to others, offers no commentary to 
   further the discussion    

   Participant distracts the group by interrupting other speakers or 

   by offering off topic questions and comments. 

    Participant ignores the discussion and its participants