This file contains two different packets of Socratic Seminar packets- packet A and packet B. Each packet contains three different discussion questions that require students to answer and provide two quotes from the text to back up their answers. Students are also required to come up with three additional questions they will ask if there’s time in their seminar. Finally, the packet has a page where each student will monitor a partner in the opposite circle. They will make a check each time their partner speaks, and paraphrase meaningful comments their partner makes. The file also contains a rubric for you to use while your students are discussing!

When you print out the file, you’ll see packet A on the top half of the sheet, packet B on the bottom half, and then the rubric as the last page of the file. Remove the rubric and print one out for each of your students. Copy the rest of the pages, cut them in half, and staple them. Each student will receive one half-sheet booklet; packet A or packet B.

Give your students adequate time to plan for their Seminar! I usually give them a full class period (40 minutes for me), but you could have them do it for homework, or over the course of a few days. The day of the Seminar, you’ll assign partners with opposite packets. Let A discuss for as long as they need (usually 30-ish minutes for me!), then flip-flop your circles and have B discuss afterwards.

My students LOVE Socratic Seminars! I have found the fishbowl discussion format works much better when you give each group three different questions so you don’t hear the same discussion two times, which is how this product is set up. I have used Socratic Seminars in small literature circle groups, as well as with the whole class at once. Please ask if you have questions!

This set of 12 Speed dating questions are a fun alternative to a traditional class discussion and will help your students analyze "The F-Word" from Firoozeh Dumas' Funny in Farsi!

In order to prepare, you simply have to copy the 12 discussion prompts below and cut them into separate strips. You can laminate them if you’d like! Arrange your classroom so pairs of students will be facing one another. My classes have about 24 students in each, so I set up my desks facing one another down the center of the classroom. Alternatively, you could do two concentric circles depending on the space you have to work with!

When it’s time for the speed dating to begin, each “couple” will flip over their question and discuss it. I usually set a timer for 60 seconds, but you can do longer or shorter depending on the needs of your students. When the timer buzzes, one row (or circle) moves one way, and the other goes in the opposite direction. In this way, each student will have the opportunity to discuss every question.

I've included a reflection/ ticket out the door half sheet question for afterwards if time allows!

This set of 12 Speed dating questions are a fun alternative to a traditional class discussion and will help your students analyze "America, Land of the Free" from Firoozeh Dumas' Funny in Farsi! This piece takes place on Thanksgiving, so I like to use it during the short week leading up to the holiday. It's an engaging and student-centered activity!

In order to prepare, you simply have to copy the 12 discussion prompts below and cut them into separate strips. You can laminate them if you’d like! Arrange your classroom so pairs of students will be facing one another. My classes have about 24 students in each, so I set up my desks facing one another down the center of the classroom. Alternatively, you could do two concentric circles depending on the space you have to work with!

When it’s time for the speed dating to begin, each “couple” will flip over their question and discuss it. I usually set a timer for 60 seconds, but you can do longer or shorter depending on the needs of your students. When the timer buzzes, one row (or circle) moves one way, and the other goes in the opposite direction. In this way, each student will have the opportunity to discuss every question.

I've included a reflection/ ticket out the door half sheet question for afterwards if time allows!