THE EFFECTS OF THE SOCRATIC METHOD

ON CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN 4TH

GRADE STUDENTS

Magdalena Byra
Paula Mendez
Luis Felipe Bermudez
 Introduction
Thinking is slow, effortful, and unreliable.
It does not immediately solve problems and it takes concentration.
Also, it might provide wrong solutions to a problem.

Critical Thinking
 CRITICAL THINKING
John Dewey
 Socratic Circles

- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

- My Teacher is an Alien
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes A Scandal in Bohemia
- The Redheaded League Sherlock Holmes
- Oh The Place You will Go
 Diagnostic test.
Level 1: KnowledgeStudents recall information or can find requested information in an
article. They recognize dates, events, places, people, and main ideas.
Level 2: ComprehensionStudents understand information. This means that they can find
information that is stated in a different way than the question. It also means students can rephrase
or restate information in their own words.
Level 3: ApplicationStudents apply their knowledge to a specific situation. They may be
asked to do something new with the knowledge.
Level 4: AnalysisStudents break things into their component parts and examine those parts.
They notice patterns in information.
Level 5: SynthesisStudents do something new with the information. They integrate
knowledge and create new ideas. They generalize, predict, plan, and draw conclusions.
Level 6: EvaluationStudents make judgments and assess value. They form an opinion and
defend it. They can also understand another persons viewpoint.
 Students reflections
1. Explain how the Seminar influenced your thinking about the text.
2. Identify what someone said; write down his comment. React to his statement.
3. Self-assessment
Taking a position on a question 5 4 3 2 1

Using evidence to support a position or presenting factual information 5 4 3 2 1

Encouraging another person to the discussion 5 4 3 2 1

Asking a clarifying question or moving the discussion along 5 4 3 2 1

Highlighting and marking the text with questions/commentary 5 4 3 2 1

4. Identify a personal goal for the next seminar.

5. Using your knowledge of the text, create a new question to start a seminar.
 Pre- and post-surveys
1. I can find the main idea of a text.
2. I make predictions about a text.
3. I highlight (underline) important parts of a text and take notes.
4. I make connections (self, text, world).
5. I make inferences about characters (analyze dialogue, decisions, personality, etc)?
6. Do you think Socratic Circles improved you reading comprehension? How? What do you
think you are better at now?
7. In your opinion, what are some advantages of Socratic Circles?
8. In your opinion, what are some disadvantages of Socratic Circles?
 Reading Comprehension Skills
Reading Comprehension Skills Before Socratic Reading Comprehension Skills After Socratic Circles
Circles 8

12
7

10 6

8 5

4
6
3
4
2

2
1

0 0
Finding Main Idea Higlighting Predicting Finding Main Idea Higlighting Predicting

Excellent Outstanding Good Not able Excellent Outstanding Good Not Able
 Critical Thinking Skills
Critical Thinking Skills before Socratic Circles Critical Thinking Skills after Socratic Circles
10 12

9
10
8

7
8
6

5 6

4
4
3

2
2
1

0 0
Making Inferences Connecting Text to Self Making Inferences Connecting Text to Self

Excellent Outstanding Good Not Able Excellent Outstanding Good Not Able
 Perception after the activity
General Perception of Socratic Circles after concluding the activity
9

0
Task was organized and understood the text better Task was relevant but no participation Task was disorganized

Numero de estudiantes Columna1 Columna2

 Critical Thinking Improvement
14

12

10

0
Improved Critical Thinking Didnt improve Critical Thinking Created confusion

Number of students
 Aspects
Positive Aspects Negative Aspects
9 12

8
10
7

6 8

5
6
4

3
4
2

1 2

0
Active Discussions Critical Thinking Understanding of the Cooperation 0
text Not enough time Discipline Organization o
 Conclusions
Socratic circles can be applied to educational settings in a controlled and
efficient way
Socratic seminars can improve the quality of the students oral and written
productions taking into account that the teacher and the students are
prepared.
Students need to be empowered in order to participate in this activity.
 References
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