the virtual socratic seminar.

The Core Grading Components:
  1. Come prepared with proof of close reading by having all questions completed, with text evidence referenced to back up your answers (use page numbers and paragraph numbers).
  2. Address one another respectfully by name when discussion the questions during seminar.
The Socratic Seminar in the virtual learning setting can be a formal discussion thread or a webcam session based on a text, in which the leader asks open-ended questions.  Within the context of the discussion, students read or listen attentively to the comments of others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others.  They learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly.
Question #1: Americans often pride themselves that theirs is a "land of opportunity."  How much economic opportunity truly did exist in colonial America, and what factors affected the colonists' opportunity to succeed?
Question #2: Were the American colonists justified in waging war and breaking away from Britain?
Question #3: Could the American Revolution have been prevented or was it inevitable?
Question #4: Was the American Revolution about democratic ideals or was it about protection of property?
The seminar is a collaborative, open-ended dialogue spurred by questions that encourage critical thinking, deep reading, and active listening skills.  The participants carry the burden of responsibility for the quality of discussion.  It is a discussion, not a debate.