IB English HL I

2023-24

Socratic Seminar Reflection and Self-Scored Rubric

Notes:
Questions—
1. Are there non-physical reminders of our history?
2. Is history ever worth forgetting?

3. Addiction is a prominent theme in the novel, although it manifests in many different ways. Is
there evidence to suggest that Orange thinks there is a common origin to characters’
experiences with addiction?
- With the largest connection between each character being their culture, Orange suggests that
the system which harms Native Americans and simply the physical disadvantages placed upon
them pushes individuals to use substances or other means as coping mechanisms. Harvey
explains at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that alcohol is easy to have access to and can
serve as a temporary distraction from the unjust society they fall victim to.

4. In what ways is violence an important theme in this story, and what is Tommy Orange trying
to say about violence? How did you feel about the violence at the end of the story when
characters converge at the pow wow? What was the purpose of having everyone’s story
culminate in this way?
- Violence is important because it is not shown as a direct choice, Orange uses it to
demonstrate that the intent of robbing the pow-wow was not the deaths that resulted.
Rather, it is a progression of events and how while an outcome may not have been
intended, this is what happens when systems are built to oppress groups.

1. James Baldwin once wrote, “People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.”
How does Tommy Orange’s novel, especially at the beginning and the end, embody this idea?
In other words, why do you think he chose to begin and end the novel with the perspective of
Tony Loneman?
- Orange’s novel is a display of how our history— our culture, appearance, background, are all
inescapable aspects that impact our identity. By starting and ending with Tony, it is
exemplified that we will always be reminded of our history and cannot deny our roots,
considering the most significant part of who he is has been his appearance.

Instructions: Complete the reflection and self-scored rubric below. If you feel you have
exceeded the requirements, please explain how you have done so.
Part

1. What went particularly well for you in this seminar?

- I feel I was most successful in building off the points of others and providing another perspective.
While I didn’t start the discussion, I would answer the questions of others and use evidence from the
book to support my arguments. I also connected heavily to the cultural context of the book and societal
impacts highlighted in the book.
 2. What could have gone better and how could you have helped improve this?
- I feel the main aspect I would have changed would be asking more open ended questions or starting the
discussion. While I feel I did well building off of other’s points and contributing my own perspective,
asking more questions relevant to the points I was making would have progressed the seminar and been
a vehicle to allow others to share.

3. How did this seminar help you better understand the topic at hand? What questions are still lingering
for you?
- This seminar allowed me to understand the Native American perspective from a deeper level and
question the true meanings by otherwise hard to grasp concepts. An example of this would be our
discussion on violence and how the number of deaths was not the intended outcome, but rather a
symbol for the systemic injustices being built up between characters.

4. What is one goal you have for yourself for the next seminar?
- Next seminar, I hope to provide more open-ended questions and lead the discussions rather than
follow the lead of someone else. I also hope to reference the text often and focus more on what the
author was trying to achieve through certain literary choices. This way, it provides essential support to
strengthen the points I am attempting to convey.

5. If you feel you didn’t get to demonstrate your knowledge enough during the seminar, please reflect on
what you would have wanted to say here.
- I feel I achieved my points for the most part and do not have other aspects I wish I shared.

6. Reflect on your partner’s assessment of your performance. Were they spot on, and how so? Did they
give you undue credit, or underestimate your contributions or quality of participation? Be specific in
your responses (justify a grade you can defend).
- I feel my partner accurately described my performance and gave me credit for my participation. She
identified every point I made and explained the importance behind it. She did not underestimate my
contributions and portrayed me as a beneficial part of the discussion.

Part II: Rubric

Approaching Expectations Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations

Preparation (20)
Comes prepared with 2 open-ended,
thought-provoking questions that can be
answered with reference to the novel, and
has some notes and/or quotations ready
for most questions.
Speaking (10)
Speaks 3-4 times during seminar, making
original contributions (not simply
agreeing and/or repeating), and does not
interrupt peers. Asks a question (original
or follow-up).
Uses Evidence (10)
When speaking, makes reference to the
text, often with specific passages and/or
page numbers/quotations.
Attentiveness (5)
Actively remains attentive throughout
discussion, even when not speaking.

(Taking notes is evidence of exceeding

expectations)
Respectfulness /5
Remains respectful throughout seminar.

(Not overpowering the conversation, by

sharing the “air”, as well as looking at
others when they are speaking is evidence
of exceeding expectations.)