Socratic Seminar Scoring Rubric

Name of Participant: __________________________________ Grade: _____

Subject: __________________________________________________

Advanced (A Range):
The student demonstrates preparedness by coming to the discussion with the assigned text; it is thoroughly annotated
and/or there are comprehensive accompanying notes. The student consistently actively engages in the conversation by
doing most of the following:
using body language and eye contact to indicate active listening for the duration of the seminar.
using language of recognition and appreciation to promote collaborative, collegial discussions and/or actively
incorporates others into the discussion.
posing and/or responding to questions.
challenging ideas and conclusions in a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.
summarizing points of agreement and/or disagreement.
qualifying or justifying perspectives and understandings.
making new connections considering the evidence and reasoning presented.
Demonstrating analysis beyond basic comprehension (understanding of sub-textual meaning). *The implicit or
metaphorical meaning
referencing/quoting the text to support a point.

Proficient (B Range):
The student demonstrates preparedness by coming to the discussion with the assigned text; it is sufficiently annotated
and/or there are accompanying notes. The student engages in the conversation by doing most of the following:
using body language and eye contact to indicate active listening for the duration of the seminar.
posing and/or responding to questions.
building on the thoughts of others.
asking clarifying questions.
making new connections considering the evidence and reasoning presented.
demonstrating comprehension.
referencing/quoting the text to support a point.

Basic (C Range):
The student demonstrates a lack of preparedness by coming to the discussion without the assigned text and/or it is poorly
annotated and/or there are no accompanying notes or the notes are incomplete The student minimally engages in the
conversation by doing one or two of the following:
using body language and eye contact to indicate active listening for the duration of the seminar.
posing and/or responding to questions.
building on the thoughts of others.
asking clarifying questions.
demonstrating comprehension.
referencing/quoting the text to support a point.

Below Basic (D Range): The student demonstrates a lack of preparedness by coming to the discussion without the assigned
text and/or it is poorly annotated and/or there are no accompanying notes or the notes are incomplete The student is
present and uses body language and eye contact to indicate active listening for the duration of the seminar but does not
participate in the conversation.