Do Now: How do you prefer to share your opinion with other, through speaking or writing? Why? Be specific.
Share Out:
Read Aloud/Discussion: Act 5 of "Romeo and Juliet"
Group Work: Students will work in their table groups to complete the socratic prep for "Romeo and Juliet." We will have the Socratic Seminar for R&J on Wednesday. This will count as our final assignment for "Romeo and Juliet" so please come prepared!
Closing: Shout-Outs and Call-Outs
Tuesday, 2/23/16
Elmwood Theater and Black History Assembly Day!!!
Wednesday, 2/24/16
Do Now: Silently take out your Socratic Prep sheet. What is one rule you think everyone should follow in Socratic Seminar?
Review: What a seminar isn’t. A seminar can perhaps be better understood by considering what it is not: it is not training; it is not interactive lecturing; it is not canned student speaking (like the 19th century ‘recitation.’) A seminar is neither a debate nor a teacher led “class discussion” (where “discussion” means students taking turns sharing thoughts, feelings, and reactions). Rather, the seminar is a collective inquiry into questions and issues, typically prompted by a reading or shared experience. A key aim is to develop everyone’s understanding of the issues – not to be confused with “answering” the teacher’s questions. But it also aims at everyone’s self understanding – through speaking, idea testing, listening, and reflection. The purpose is to ‘uncover’ not ‘cover’ a subject.
DURING SOCRATIC SEMINAR Socratic Seminar Rules • • • • Discuss, do not debate. Be courteous, NO PUTDOWNS.
Goal is the pursuit of deeper understanding. Respect different thoughts and ideas.
Socratic Seminar Tips
Your Goal is to Understand… •
• issues,
• concepts,
• the ideas, and
values reflected in the text.
Protocol: Refer to the text when needed during the discussion. This is not a test of memory. Do not stay confused; as for clarification of both ideas and definitions. Discuss ideas, rather than other’s opinions. It’s OK to pass when your turn comes; participate at another time instead. Do not participate if you are not prepared.
Stick to the point currently under discussion; write down inspirational ideas so you can bring them up at a more appropriate time in the conversation. Listen carefully, especially when you are waiting to speak, as they may be moving on to another point. Speak up so that all participants can hear you; don’t speak while others are. Remember that this is a conversation between students, not between student and teacher.
Basic steps to forming opinions:
What is it that I think I know? Or that the author thinks he/she knows? Can I restate his/her ideas in my own words? What needs clarification? Definition? Is it true? Why do I think so? What else do I need to know or understand before deciding? What inferences can be drawn from this? What are the implications of this? So what? How does this change things? What are the underlying assumptions with this claim? What are the reasons I believe this? How do I know what I think I know? Is the evidence credible? How does this happen in other situations? In the world? How does this connect to other stuff? Can I think of a counter example? When this doesn’t happen? Why doesn’t it happen? Are there internal contradictions?
One point for every positive contribution. Two points for bringing someone into the conversation by name. A loss of one point for every time you are talking out of turn, engaging in side conversations and/or engaging in disrespectful interactions (this includes body language). Share the talk time!!!
Homework: Complete working on character guides. These are due on Monday!
Thursday/Friday 2/25/16-2/26/16
DO NOW: Independent Reading and Logs!!!
Work Period with Writing Coaches!!!
1. You will work with your writing coaches on a persuasive mini-essay. This will be collected Monday with your character guide.
2. You will complete your character guides!
3. If you finish both of these things, you may work on your independent reading and logs!
