Socratic Seminar Scoring Guide/ Rubric (EDITABLE)

"The Socratic seminar is one of the best teaching techniques for engaging students in critical thinking and meaningful discussion of a text. Students are expected to articulate their own thoughts as well as listen and respond to others in the the group. The purpose of the seminar is not to debate or prove a point but to discuss open ended questions and explore many facets of a text." (https://empathyandinquiry.wordpress.com/2016/02/17/in-praise-of-the-socratic-seminar/)

This is a rubric for scoring Socratic Seminar discussions in your classroom. It is a convenient word document, so you can enter your own students names along the top. Simply use checkmarks next to each criteria to assess how students are doing.

Socratic seminars strongly support common core comprehension, speaking, and listening standards.

Distinguish between Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced.

Some (but not all) of the criteria included:

-Uses body language and eye contact to indicate active listening for the duration of the seminar
-Both poses and responds to questions
-Builds on the thoughts of others by using appropriate transitions
-Asks clarifying questions
-Quotes the text to support a point
-Uses language of recognition and appreciation to promote collaborative, collegial discussions