Teachers on Point
  • Home
  • Writing
  • Reading & Activities
    • Activities
    • Interactive Notebooks
    • Character Maps
  • Bundles
  • More
    • Blog
    • About
    • Contact
    • Our Guarantee
  • Coaching

How to incorporate writing in a Socratic seminar

2/19/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
I am a huge believer in integrating as much learning as possible when I plan lessons, activities, etc. This also pertains to Socratic seminars. I keep the same structure each time students meet and discuss their seminars as far as how the conversation goes - Students ask questions they had during reading which usually generates a conversation.

Then I present a central question. The central question ALWAYS relates to life in some way. It is not directly related to the story. For example, when students were discussing
Nine, Ten - A September 11th Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin, the father always told his family to never stop on the side of the road as it’s very dangerous. One day, the father is driving alone and sees a man broken down on the side of the road. He stops to help and they both get hit by a truck and die. When the police came to the boy’s house to tell him and his mom what happened, the officer stated that the boy’s father was a hero. The boy then faces an internal conflict as to whether his father was truly a hero.

​The central question I presented to students was, what is a hero. 


In seminar, students discussed their opinions and used evidence from the story to support their opinion. After the conversation, I assigned students to write their response to the central question.

The structure of the response is one I like to use every time. The first paragraph is their opinion of the question. The second paragraph supports their opinion using evidence from the text and the third paragraph uses life or world connections to support their answer. 

The idea is to explain to students that there is not a right or wrong answer, but it’s important to support their thinking with evidence. At first, students struggle with being able to write their connections either to the book or to the world or both! Because of that, I tend to model a few examples for the first couple of weeks or so. 

For students who really struggle with the writing, I pull small groups and provide them with a graphic organizer. 

I love to incorporate writing into the Socratic seminars because it provides an opportunity for me to teach grammar and gives students writing practice. The more they write, the better writers they become. Also, I think it’s super important for kids to be able to write about their opinions in a clear and concise way. I find that they have a much easier time with this task after they’ve spent 15-20 minutes discussing it with the group and of course, after they practice on a regular basis. 

Would you like a copy of the outline I use with my struggling writers? 

Sign up for the free outline for students to use when they write their reflection!

Subscribe to get our latest content by email and get an outline for students to organize their written reflection.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
    Powered By ConvertKit
    2 Comments
    Nora Baskin link
    2/25/2020 03:44:10 pm

    This is brilliant..I cannot tell you how few readers see beyond the story to the meaning between the lines.That is exactly how I intended the story about Will's dad to be read. To be questioned..to be debated. to make readers think..for themselves. Thank you.

    Reply
    Julia
    2/25/2020 09:43:15 pm

    To know that I am teaching the book in a way the author intended for it to be received is the ultimate validation as a teacher. Thank you for taking the time to leave this very kind note and writing such a powerful and important story. It's one that always ignites deep thought and discussion among the students.

    Reply



    Leave a Reply.

      Julia Graham

      Daughter of the King, wife and mother, former upper elementary teacher, curriculum and course developer

      Picture

      Archives

      March 2023
      February 2023
      March 2022
      February 2022
      January 2022
      January 2021
      August 2020
      April 2020
      March 2020
      February 2020
      January 2020
      December 2019
      November 2019
      June 2018
      May 2018
      January 2018
      February 2017
      June 2016
      October 2013

      Categories

      All
      General Teaching Advice
      My Life
      New Teacher Advice
      Project Work
      Socratic Seminar
      Subject Specific Advice

      RSS Feed

    Pages

    Home
    ​
    About 
    Blog
    Resources

    Resources

    Writing Units
    Novel Activities 
    ​
    Classroom Management
    Bundles

    Support

    Contact
    Terms of Use
    ​
    Disclaimer
    ​Privacy Policy 
    © COPYRIGHT 2019. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
    • Home
    • Writing
    • Reading & Activities
      • Activities
      • Interactive Notebooks
      • Character Maps
    • Bundles
    • More
      • Blog
      • About
      • Contact
      • Our Guarantee
    • Coaching