1. Topic-
Socratic Circles
 
2. Content-
What is a Socratic Circle?
Using text to support an opinion.
 
3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
My goals were to
1. use the Socratic Circle Method
2. Review the discussion philosophy (no wrong answers, use phrases like "I'd like to add to what Lauren said.."
 
4. Objectives-
1. Students will review the philosophy and guidelines for the discussion method.
2. Students will use the text The Kindness Cure to support any opinions.
3. Every student will contribute to the discussion.
 
5. Materials and Aids-
Text: Kindness Cure (From Soup for the Preteen Soul)
Document on Socratic Circle Guidelines and possible statement starters
 
6. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

The day prior to the lesson, the students and teacher read the story The Kindness Cure aloud in class. Students were aware that it would be discussed the next day and were allowed to highlight or write on the story in preparation.
 

B. Development-

A week prior, the teacher and students tried the activity and method using the story All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury. This counted as the demonstration.
 

C. Practice-

Students put their desks into a circle and proceeded with a discussion about The Kindness Cure. The teacher guided with questions like " Were all the kids equally mean to the girl? Should teams in gym be picked by kids? Did the girl wait too long to tell her mom? Should someone have told the teacher? Was the Kindness Cure effective?"
 

D. Independent Practice-

Each student spoke a minimum of two times. While they were speaking, the teacher noted things like did the student refer back to the text, did the student present something new...
 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

Story was read aloud the day before so the lower readers would have a complete understanding of the story prior to discussion.
Shy students were only called on when their hands were up while more advanced students might be called to be the first speaker to a tough question.
 

F. Checking for understanding-

Teacher noted contributions (number of and quality of) in her grading document.

End of lesson: A student was selected to summarize what the author or teachers might have hoped children "got out of the lesson."
(Many students were prepared to answer this question so teacher felt that all the kids had a good understanding of the lesson.)
 

G. Closure-

Teacher summarized the lessons learned and the importance of using text to support ideas.
 
7. Evaluation-
Questions/answers in discussion circle stuck to method and students improved in their ability to refer to text, build on another's answer or disagree with an idea in a polite manner and/or by using text evidence.
 
8. Teacher Reflection-
The kids love this technique. I plan to use it frequently and will use it to build evidence during discussion with the next step being : using text evidence to write constructed responses (which is a school improvement goal).
 

This Lesson Plan is available at (www.teacherjet.com)