WORKSHOP ON SOCRATIC SEMINAR

**WORKSHOP ON SOCRATIC SEMINAR** **DATE**: SATURDAY, NOV 14 **TIME**: 2:45PM - 4:30PM **VENUE**: CINCO RANCH LIBRARY (MEETING ROOM) **GRADES**: 8, 9, 10 In middle and high school English and Social Studies classes, Socratic Seminars/class discussion carry significant test grades. Yet, they are consistently one of the activities students dread the most. As students advance into higher-level and advanced English classes, the frequency of these seminars only increases every six weeks. Yet, they remain one of the classroom activities students dread the most. To help students handle these discussions without anxiety, learn how to enter conversations naturally, and speak up with confidence, I’m hosting a free, in-person 90-Minute Socratic Seminar Workshop for Grades 8, 9, and 10. Most students dislike Socratic Seminars because: • It feels uncomfortable jumping into high-stakes discussions without a clear plan. • Aggressive speakers dominate the floor, making it hard to find an opening. • Running out of things to say or repeating points leads to lost grade points. • Students often know the reading, but freeze when trying to quote evidence or respond on the spot. • To take the anxiety out of these discussions, I am hosting a free, focused 90-Minute Socratic Seminar Workshop for middle and early high school students. **What This Workshop Will Cover**:  How to enter the conversation naturally: sentence starters to join without interrupting or being cut off.  Scoring the rubric: What teachers actually look for. Connecting ideas to textual evidence rather than just talking for without purpose.  Good questioning: Formulating interpretive questions that keep discussions moving and prevent awkward silences.  Live practice with immediate feedback: A structured, supportive round-table simulation so students leave with real confidence for their next graded seminar. I am intentionally keeping this to a small group for deeper, higher-quality discussion, so capacity is strictly limited. Spots are first-come, first-served. Once capacity is reached, remaining registrants will be placed on a waitlist. Currently this workshop is open to Grades 8–10. (If your student is outside this range and would like to attend, please email at [email protected].