Name__________________________________________

Discussion Norms

Write down any changes or additions youd like to make to the following discussion norms: Commented [PL1]: I always make sure that students
are clear on the expectations of an assignment, and
when possible, that they have a voice in the process.
1. Stay on Topic

2. One person speaks at a time

3. When responding to someone, you must address them by name

4. Respect different thoughts and ideas respond to the idea, dont attack the person.

5. Contribute to the discussion

a. When you answer a question or respond to someone, you must use evidence to support your

answer

b. Ask a question and/or invite someone into the conversation once - avoid yes/no questions
Name_______________________________________ Date___________________

Question
1) In Eleven Cents, Jimmy
buys a burger for the cashier as
a peace offering, even after he
was rude to Jimmys friends.
Perspectives Socratic Seminar Prep Sheet
My response Evidence (my perspective
notes/Eleven Cents/family
traditions article/Twitter tag)
Commented [PL2]: Students prepared answers and
evidence to the questions that were to be asked in the
seminar in class the day before the discussion.
Questions I can ask
during the discussion Commented [PL3]: In this process, students also
worked on noncognitive skills such as listening and
asking follow-up questions. In a separate packet that I
compiled, students were given question stems that
helped them with this part of the assignment.

a) Does everyone deserve a

second chance?
b) Who deserves
forgiveness?
What if they hurt someone?

2) Jimmy believes that everyone

deserves help, no matter how
they treat you or where they
come from. The cashier believes
you should treat others the way
they treat you - he never got
help, so he shouldnt have to
help others.

a) Whose perspective do you

think is right, Jimmys or the
cashiers?

b) Should every person fend

for themselves, or do we each
have a moral responsibility to
help others?

c) What if they are strangers?

Should we help strangers as
much as we help people who
are close to us?
4) An argument breaks out in
Eleven Cents because of the
different perspectives the
characters have on helping
others.

a) Is it better to live in a
community where you share
similar perspectives, or is it
better to be around people
who have different beliefs
from yours? Commented [PL4]: Asking relevant questions leads to
a more engaging, authentic experience. This question
in particular struck a chord with my students and
inspired a lot of deep thinking and reflection.
Commented [PL5]: Students were broken up into an
inner circle that discussed the questions, and an outer
circle that observed. When students sat in the outer
circle, they observed a partner for the following actions
and reflected on how the discussion went as a whole.
Once this process was completed, students switched
roles.
 Discussion Reflection Commented [PL6]: Students often engage in reflective
practice in my classroom. The following questions
guided students in thinking critically about their
Rate your participation in the discussion: contribution to the discussion, and it helped me see
how I could improve the assessment in the future.

Answer the following questions in complete sentences:

1. What is one thing you liked that you said?

2. What is one point someone else said that you agree with?

3. What was the most interesting question?

4. What do you think should be done differently in the next Socratic seminar?

5. What do you need to work on next time to be a better participant in the discussion?