tional approach to learning. Once students get over their initial timidi- ty their eyes light up! Mahlah Robinson, Grade 6 Teacher
This is an engaging and engrossing approach to learning. Classes are transformed into conversations. Natasha Lake, Grade 3 Teacher
Challenging, rewarding and trans- formative are some of the words I think about when I reflect on this approach. Cherryann Hislop, Assistant Principal
Socratic Seminar
Socratic Solutions By Stafford H. Byers 516-782-4693
Services Rendered Through Literacy Support Systems, Inc. 516-432-8671 Literacysupport@aol.com College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Speaking and Listening
Evaluate a speakers point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organiza- tion, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Writing Standards Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and infor- mation Produce clear and coherent writing in which the develop- ment and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. Draw evidence from literary and informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Stafford H. Byers is a clergyman, attor- ney, motivational speaker, law professor and an educational consultant. In addi- tion to his legal training, he also received special training in the Socratic Approach to teaching at Harvard Law School. The Socratic Approach, teaching by asking questions, creates and fosters an energetic, dynamic and engaging learning environment. It causes shy and timid students to break out of their shell and become more self assured, confident and assertive. It forc- es teachers to sharpen their skills and innovate, and at the same time enable students to be thoughtful, engaging, and involved in their own learning. Professor Byers has served as faculty advisor to Texas Southern Universitys, Thurgood Marshall Law Review. He has coached teachers in and spoken to administrators about the effectiveness of the Socratic Method. Through the use of the Socratic Method, Stafford will provide an approach to teaching that focuses on the Webbs Depth of Knowledge for questioning, and on the Common Core Learning Standards for writing opinion pieces and supporting a point of view with reasons. This consultation will also provide educa- tors with structures and scaffolded activities for teaching students to write creatively and ground their work with text evidence.
Each Socratic Seminar will provide teachers with the following tools:
Socratic seminar protocols for classroom teachers and students. Classroom Rubric for grading students as they participate in discussions. Classroom Rubric for grading the writing pieces of students.
Each Socratic Seminar will address the following Common Core Learning Standards: College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and rele- vant and sufficient evidence. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, pur- pose and audience. Gather relevant information from mul- tiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.