Inquiry training model

Lesson Title: Socratic seminar

Targeted Grade Level: 8th

Academic Subject: English

Lesson Goals:

The goal of this lesson is for students to be able to research and inquire about
current topics in society.

Lesson Objectives:

  8.5(E) make connections to personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.
8.5 (F)make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.

8.6. (A) describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected
texts.

Materials/Resources Needed:

 Computers
 Note cards
 Open mind

Lesson Components:

1
EDUC 6330 | Lesson Plan Template
Phase 1:
Students will be given 5 research questions on the topics in To Kill a Mockingbird.
1. How is Tom Robinson a mockingbird? Who would be a modern day
Mockingbird in the news.
2. What does the rabid dog Atticus shoots symbolize?
3. Was Atticus successful with instilling conscience in his children? What is the
importance in making sure the youth Is conscience?
4. How is Atticus’s sense of justice inferred when he tells his children they can
shoot blue jays, but it is “a sin To Kill a Mockingbird”?
5. What does Boo Radley symbolize?
Phase 2:
Students will have a seminar where every student needs to be prepared to answer
one of the research questions. The students will form a circle and find a partner
across the circle. The facilitation will be completely student led.

Evaluation:

Students will be evaluated on their preparation. Students will be evaluated on their

participation during the seminar.

2
EDUC 6330 | Lesson Plan Template