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Socratic Seminar Reflection

Date:

Tomas Talamantes
10/23/14
Period 1

1. Self Assessment
Taking a position on a question
Using evidence to support a position or presenting factual information
Drawing another person into the discussion
Asking a clarifying question or moving the discussion along
Highlighting and marking the text with questions/commentary

Greatnot at all
5
4
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2
5
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2
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2

1
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2. How would you rate the seminar? (Check one)

CHECK! Excellent (Everyone participated, listened, had good ideas, did not interrupt.)
___Good (Generally, everyone participated but the seminar could have better ideas and behavior.)
___Fair (Side talk, interruptions, students distracted.)
___Poor (Lots of side talk, interruptions, and rude behavior.)
Why?
I felt that everyone did excellent in the seminar because everyone did the best that they could
do. People who didnt speak ever spoke and people, who always spoke, spoke more. They thought of
clever points and analyzed and came to a consensus on the thematic questions.
3. Summary of key ideas:
Throughout my seminar Sydney, Katie and I were making the most points. Sydney started
the socratic seminar with a very good point and we all built upon that until someone finally
disagreed and we all discussed. The point that was the most debated and built on was the
question about what qualities and abilities that are needed to survive in the labor camp. Many
people had different views on this question. I feel this was the best question because the
discussion generated different points of view.
Question 1:

George protects Lennie even though he could do so much more without him.
Look out for one and other.
George doesnt express his friendship for Lennie as much as he does.

Question 2:

Friends to lookout for one and other.

Physical strength.
Mental strength.
Common sense.

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Question 3:

Get a nice farm.

Leave the camps behind.
Money.
For Lennie rabbits.
Independence.

Question 4:
Only one woman in the labor camp.
No name, just known as Curleys wife.
Flirt of the camp.
Not noticed.
Wants to be noticed.
4. Reaction: Identify what someone said; write down his/her comment. React to his/her
statement.
Julian stated I feel that throughout the book Curleys wife was tired of not being viewed
by anyone and not having to do anything, which she tells Lennie in the Barn.
I would have responded by saying that Curleys wife wasnt tired of not being noticed, she
was mad that Lennie wasnt flirting with her like the rest of the men in the labor camp. In the
novel she get mad at Lennie in the barn because he isnt noticing her or talking to her. She gets
mad because she is used to being the center of attention at the camp.
5. Explain how the Seminar influenced your thinking about the topic or the text(s).
The seminar influenced my thinking about the novel by bringing certain topics to depth like
Lennie and Georges relationship, Candy and his dogs relationship, Curleys wife and her role in the
camp, the aspirations of the workers in the camp, and certain abilities needed to survive in the camp. I
was influenced the most by question 2, which asked what qualities, and abilities were needed to
survive the camps. This question influenced me the most because I really got to see everyones point
of view and thinking.
Question 1:
George didnt really seem like Lennie.
George and Lennie compared to Candy and his dog.
Question 2:
Common sense.
A friend to help you out.
Question 3:
All workers wanted a farm.
Money.

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Question 4:
Curelys wife dreams and goals.
Curleys wife wanting to be noticed,
Steinback not giving her a name.
6. Identify a personal goal for the next seminar:
For the next seminar Im hoping to ask more questions and be more aggressive with my
arguments.

7. Identify a group goal and how you would be willing to contribute to it:
Our group as good as we were today didnt disagree with one and other that much and in order
to build more knowledge in the next seminar we need to disagree more.