socratic seminars in large class with young kids

[Anonymous]

My kid is new to AAP. Had his first socratic seminar. He said about 5 kids dominated the convo. He said he had some ideas he wanted to get out there but every time he tried to open his mouth he was out shouted. The teacher apparently "muted" the loudest couple kids but then the next few loudest kids took over. Out of a class of 27 or 28 kids. They aren't allowed to raise hands. What's the point of this? I'd hoped AAP might be a confidence builder for my shy, quiet kid. Isn't this set up just going to reinforce the roles of the loud dominant kids and the quiet kids who get drowned out? I mean, I get the approach for high schoolers perhaps, but at this phase shouldn't we be using more techniques to teach the kids to respectfully give each other turns to speak and giving openings to quieter kids? Are there more positive experiences with these seminars in elementary schools with large classes?

[Anonymous]

It’s odd and maybe it’s an odd class. The point is that everyone can and should shout out. And the goal is not for one person to get the right answer but for many to contribute to the overall knowledge.
http://www.garlikov.com/Soc_Meth.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is new to AAP. Had his first socratic seminar. He said about 5 kids dominated the convo. He said he had some ideas he wanted to get out there but every time he tried to open his mouth he was out shouted. The teacher apparently "muted" the loudest couple kids but then the next few loudest kids took over. Out of a class of 27 or 28 kids. They aren't allowed to raise hands. What's the point of this? I'd hoped AAP might be a confidence builder for my shy, quiet kid. Isn't this set up just going to reinforce the roles of the loud dominant kids and the quiet kids who get drowned out? I mean, I get the approach for high schoolers perhaps, but at this phase shouldn't we be using more techniques to teach the kids to respectfully give each other turns to speak and giving openings to quieter kids? Are there more positive experiences with these seminars in elementary schools with large classes?

It was the first time. That's how school works. They introduce something, the kids don't do it well, then they practice and get better, then they do it well.

If they only do things the kids can already do, then no one learns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s odd and maybe it’s an odd class. The point is that everyone can and should shout out. And the goal is not for one person to get the right answer but for many to contribute to the overall knowledge.
http://www.garlikov.com/Soc_Meth.html

Thank-you for this link!!! This was a really fantastic example, and I'm really glad I read it. In fact it seems all his articles regarding teaching are outstanding.

[Anonymous]

My DS just had a socratic seminar, his first. According to his self-review, he didn't enjoy it or do well. But he's often negative about himself.

He told me that everyone was required to participate at least twice. It doesn't sound like it would be enjoyable for me, who preferred watching in school rather than participating. But it also sounds like something that would improve with practice, if they continue to do these socratic seminars throughout the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s odd and maybe it’s an odd class. The point is that everyone can and should shout out. And the goal is not for one person to get the right answer but for many to contribute to the overall knowledge.
http://www.garlikov.com/Soc_Meth.html

I think this is more the sort of thing that my DS did in his socratic seminar:

https://minds-in-bloom.com/5-steps-to-successful-socratic-seminar_29/

https://www.weareteachers.com/how-i-learned-to-stop-being-afraid-of-socratic-seminars-try-them-in-my-classes/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s odd and maybe it’s an odd class. The point is that everyone can and should shout out. And the goal is not for one person to get the right answer but for many to contribute to the overall knowledge.
http://www.garlikov.com/Soc_Meth.html

Thank-you for this link!!! This was a really fantastic example, and I'm really glad I read it. In fact it seems all his articles regarding teaching are outstanding.

OP here. That does seem like an engaging and inclusive way of teaching. My introvert would actually do great with that, and would engage. But it does not describe what the socratic approach seems to be at least at my child's school. They are not allowed to raise hands; they need to jump into the conversation, essentially beating other kids to the punch or interrupting to be heard. And the teacher does not speak at all after the initial introduction of the topic, so there is no teacher questioning or steering of the conversation.