How to use Socrates workshop in high school+ course examples

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Socrates-style workshops may have ancient Greek origins, but this approach to classroom discussion is as always true in today’s educational environment. It can help students organize their research, refer to textual evidence, ask clarification questions, and work together to draw common conclusions. Most importantly, the students run it themselves!

So, what is the Socrates Seminar and how can you start in the classroom? Learn about this valuable teaching tool with a set of low-PREP resources, ranging from Socrates-style seminar starters in high school to courses and activities in any middle school environment.

What is a Socrates Seminar in High School?

A Socrates-style seminar is a discussion format in which students ask and answer questions about a given topic or text. The Socrates Seminar, named after the Greek philosopher Socrates, is a popular tool for inquiry-based learning, where participants (called interlocutors) follow their curiosity in a good, well-known open, student-led conversation.

Getting students to have discussions is a beneficial life skills activity for high school students, as Socrates-style seminars encourage active listening, learning skills and clear communication. They also speak and listen to CCSS, even if the discussion is conducted in courses other than English art.

Is the Socrates seminar similar to the debate?

The Socrates workshop is not a debate. It’s a conversation and discussion where students strive to understand and collaborate, rather than “win” the argument. After the successful Socrates seminar, each student felt heard and had a stronger understanding of the text.

However, participants can (and should!) be cautious about disagreeing when expressing their opinions. They should respond in a way that inspires the group to consider alternative views, rather than dropping down another student or separating their positions.

Rules of Socrates Seminar

The first step in hosting a Socrates seminar is to establish clear rules. Because this teaching format encourages participation in discussions, most Socrates workshop rules focus on interacting with peers in the classroom.

Here are some sample rules for Socrates workshops that can teach students before you start:

1. Prepare for the Socrates seminar by annotating the text, bringing reading notes and preparing for the question.
2. Listen to the host (teacher or student who keeps talking).
3. Please recommend questions and answers to your seminar participants, not teachers.
4. Rather than arguing or debating, ask follow-up questions.
5. Respond respectfully and don’t let any other spokesperson go.
6. Comment on the last point before making your point.
7. Wait for the last speaker to finish and keep your point.

Depending on the classroom settings, you may also need a timer to ensure students don’t monopolize the conversation, as well as a “talking stick” or establishing a project that students have floors.

Socrates Seminar Package
By using your smart pole
Results: Fifth to 9
Topic: English art, reading

Everything you need for the final Socrates workshop is in this packet! You will find instructions for teachers and students, preparation and notes, export sheets, assessment guides and slogans, as well as posters prompting students to ask good questions and stemming.

Socrates Seminar Fish Tank Discussion Introduction, Graphic Organizer, Title – Any Topic
Jenn Liu – Participation Authorization
Results: 9-12
Topic: English Art, Social Studies
Standard: ccss.ccra.r.1, 2, ccra.sl.1, 2, 3, 4, 6, ccra.l.1, 3, 6

This resource is consistent with CCSS’s speech, listening, and language, which includes everything you need to get started. Use the overview and rules of the Socrates workshop format to prepare students for discussions, sentence starts and question frameworks during the workshop, and to evaluate the activity once the event is over.

Options to set up Socrates workshops

The Socrates seminar works best when all students meet with each other. Depending on the classroom space and format, you can make some choices for Socrates workshops:

• Small fish tank: The course revolves around a small group of interlocutors and observes groups participating in Socrates’ seminars. They won’t say or answer questions, but they can record and reflect on them. Then, the group rotates and a group of new students enter the “fish tank”.
• Large fish tank: Half of the class attended the Socrates seminar, the other half surrounded them and observed. After about 20 minutes, the group switches positions and roles.
• The entire class: Set up all the tables in a large circle so that everyone can meet each other and have each student attend Socrates-style workshops. This process may take all periods and is best for students who are already familiar with the Socrates seminar process.

Socrates Seminar Questions

The Socrates Seminar is based on the construction of questions raised by students about the text. Usually, the presenter opens the seminar with an opening question, with the interlocutor providing thoughtful answers and providing evidence, which creates opportunities for follow-up questions.

There is no direct answer to a good Socrates seminar question. They also won’t engage in debates, nor will they lead students to the side of the problem. Instead, these questions sparked the group’s curiosity as the discussion evolved.

Examples of good opening questions for high school students (also known as discussion STEM) and Socrates workshop sentences include:

• What does the author mean when he says (for example, sample text)?
• Why does the protagonist have this belief?
• What is the alternative title for text?
• What is the theme of the text?
• What do the authors want us to understand the most?
• How does the text have to do with another text or topic we have discussed?
• I want to know why the protagonist ____.
• I want to learn more about _____.

Students can then ask follow-up questions or ask discussion answers, such as:

• What made you say that?
• How would others view the difference?
• What is the strongest evidence for this hypothesis?
• What do you think will happen next?
• Your inferences are untrue, what’s the difference?
• How will a different character consider this?
• What you said reminds me of ____.
• I agree with _____, but I don’t agree with ____.

Remind students to keep their questions open and based on the concept of “I want to know”. Recalling questions like “What happened next?” Or “How old are the main characters?” Having specific answers won’t lead to interesting conversations and conversations. You can also use these stems as questions of the day, allowing high school students to encourage Socrates’ thoughts throughout the year!

Socrates-style seminar editable responsible conversation poster, bulletin board
By Shannah Ellender
Level: 32
Standard: ccss.ccra.sl.sl.1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Ideal for ELA or any other topic, these editable posters are a great way to get students to attend Socrates-style workshops. Each poster contains a STEM question that agrees, disagrees, adds an answer or asks another question to remind students how they will respond if they are in trouble.

A guide to student discussions for any text
Jenna Copper
Results: Seventh to 12th
Topic: English Art

Through discussion guides, students are held accountable and structured in Socrates workshops. This resource is designed for ELA but suits any topic, providing question stemming and tips to help students change their answers and track their involvement.

Socrates Workshop Question Stem and Sentence Beginner
By outstanding ela
Results: 6th to 10th
Topics: Close reading, English art, reading strategy
Standard: CCSS CCRA.SL.1, SL.6

High school students generate their own open-ended questions through editable resources, including question stemming and the starter of Socrates workshops. These discussions apply to any text and are suitable for all learners, both helping students prepare for Socrates seminars and inspiring them to move in different directions.

Tips for designing a Socrates Workshop Program

The Socrates workshop is an excellent way to get every student involved in the discussion, whether they are eager readers or reluctant learners. Use these tips to prepare for organizing and applying Socrates workshops for everyone in the class.

• scaffold Socrates Workshop: Demonstrate the Socrates workshop using graphic organizers, pre-planned questions and simplified text. (You might also want to promote the first or two!)
• Select the correct text. Save complex texts when high school students are experts at Socrates’ workshops. At the beginning, the selection of texts that do not involve advanced literary analysis is still interesting enough.
• Stay open. Model the difference between closed and open-ended questions, feel free to step in if students deviate from the open-ended format.
• Use the friend system. Assign one or two observers to the interlocutors of the Socratic workshop and have them take notes and observe the person. This helps observers focus and encourages more engagement from the interlocutors.
• Balanced dialogue. If a student takes over the discussion or does not participate in the discussion, transfer the conversation in a more balanced way by asking questions to other interlocutors (or encouraging the moderator to do so).
• Emphasize quality rather than quantity. Stop students from asking simple questions just to gain credit. Instead, get more points for the final question.
• Encourage self-reflection (and self-assessment). After the Socrates seminar, let students reflect on their own experiences and participation. If you hold Socrates-style seminars regularly, these thoughts may be used as a complete assessment in your grades.

Keep high school students involved in each course

Introducing Socrates-style workshops to your classroom allows high school students to remain curious, respectful, and never interact as before. Find more Socrates workshop resources to meet student needs and have teenagers talk about their reading!

Once students mastered the format of the Socrates workshop, the contrasting collaborative questions and debate topics inspired controversial discussions. You can also use the “You’d rather you’re more” question to get high school students to attract students that really matter (like pizza and crocodile!).