STEPS FOR CREATING SOCRATIC CIRCLES
Typically, Socratic circles must include a short passage of text in which students have already given a critical read, and two concentric circles of students — one circle focusing on exploring the meaning expressed in the text and a second circle observing the conversation.
Basic structure:
Teacher assigns a short passage of text the day prior to the Socratic circle activity.
Students read, analyze, and take notes individually.
Students are divided into two circles.
The inner circle reads the passage aloud and discusses the text for about ten minutes, while the outer circle silently observes.
The outer circle evaluates the inner circle’s conversation and provides feedback to the inner circle.
Students switch circles.
The new inner circle discusses the text for approximately ten minutes and then is given ten minutes of feedback by the outer circle.