How to Plan a Successful Socratic Seminar for High School Students

students gathered in a circle for a Socratic seminar

Have you ever had your students participate in a Socratic seminar that just crashed and burned? You were hoping for a student-led discussion with deep analysis and unique insights into the novel. Instead, you had forced conversations, long awkward silences, and rapid-fire sharing so that students could earn their points. Friend, I have been there […]

Five Ways Reader’s Notes Can Transform Your High School ELA Book Clubs

readers notes on flat lay with blue flowers and gold pen

Looking for a new way to invigorate your book clubs: try reader’s notes! Allowing students to choose their own novels and have time to discuss them is something my kiddos always love to do. However, you want to bring in some accountability without overwhelming them with classroom book club activities. That’s where reader notes can […]

How to Build Better Discussion with Socratic Seminars

Blog Post #4 Building Better Discussions with Socratic Seminars

My favorite days of teaching are when I don’t have to do any of the work, and I can sit at my desk and just observe my students doing the hard work like with socratic seminars. One of the best ways to have an “easy” day in the classroom is to hold a Socratic Seminar. […]

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