The Great Gatsby: Socratic Seminar #1

CA Focus Standard:

LRA 3.2 Analyze how theme presents an author’s view of life.

OBJECTIVE: SWBAT prepare for Socratic Seminar discussion of The Great Gatsby gain a deeper understanding of The Great Gatsby

(through chapter 6) by completing the Socratic Seminar Preparation Guide which

includes focus questions and annotations of the text.

What is a socratic seminar?

•Socratic seminar is a method of teaching developed by Socrates. He engaged his students in intellectual discussion by responding to questions with questions, instead of answers. This method encouraged the students to think for themselves rather than being told what to think.

By participating in a Socratic Seminar you will practice

academic behavior that will be expected in college and/or the

workplace environment.

This behavior includes: LISTENING, ASKING, AND

DISCUSSING

YOU SHOW ACADEMIC BEHAVIOR by

a. Participating when it is your turn to speak.

b. Expressing yourself clearly in sophisticated language.

c. Respecting others by avoiding side conversation and rude behaviors such as negative body language.

d. Speaking when it only when it is your turn and not interrupting or cutting someone off.

e. Making logical comments that are related to the topic and issue being discussed.

Seminar Preparation: Part 1First, we will learn about Taxonomy and practice writing questions that will generate high level thinking and interesting discussion.

Then, you will use the Taxonomy guide to write individual questions about The Great Gatsby.

Finally, you will share questions as a group and answer these together, by gathering evidence from notes and book.

QuestionsLEVEL 1A: What is the mother's advice for

the three little pigs?

LEVEL 1B: How would you compare the three little pigs' reactions to their mother's advice?

LEVEL 2A: Which of the three approaches would you select to build your house?

LEVEL 2B: What is the relationship between the three pigs and the wolf?

SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION QUESTIONS

With your pod, write a Level 3A & 3B question about the story titled "The Three

Little Pigs".

Seminar Preparation: Part 2Read and Annotate Write three focus questions that you will contribute to the class discussion to enrich our understanding of the novel.

Write possible answers to your own questions. Include Textual evidence and Analysis

POD PREPARATION WORK

Students will generate three prompts for discussion on the right-hand side of their Cornell Notes.

Students should keep the Focus Questions for the Seminar in mind when designing their prompts.

Sample Prompt:

Evaluate the role that race plays in the speaker’s perspective on the American Dream in “I, Too.”

Purpose of the Seminar

SCHOLARS will…

Explore the symbolism of Jay Gatsby.

Identify the theme communicated by the archetypal character of Jay Gatsby.

Evaluate the ideals communicated by F. Scott Fitzgerald through the character of Jay Gatsby.

PART THREEBIG QUESTIONS FOR THE SEMINAR:

A. Is Gatsby really “Great”?B. What qualities make him not/so?

C. What AMERICAN IDEAS or IDEALS does Gatsby represent?

D. Do these ideals persist today? Are these still valuable to our culture?

Why or why not?

WRAP UP-Outer Circle Whip around

I liked when _______ said __________ because _______________.

An interesting idea _______________

Something I learned from the discussion ______________________.

I still don’t understand _____________.