"Is that one of those 'soccer' questions?"

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"Is that one of those 'soccer' questions?"

by marjoryt

Sep 29, 2010

My students joined the intellectuals today - it's wonderful to see them wake up and start working the problems!

Early in the semester I described the Socratic teaching method to my students - that I'd be asking questions without easy answers, that I would not answer the questions myself, and that they would have to work together for the solutions.

Today, we read a selection by the sociologist Claude Levi- Strauss, which discussed chiefs in South American tribes. I then invited questions from the students and responded to those questions. My conclusion question was, "This is the second selection we've read about leadership. The first was Machiavelli's "The Duties of the Prince." What's the difference between the two concepts?" Dead silence. I let it sit. Ask the question again. Let it sit. And let it sit some more. One student raised his hand. "Mrs. T, is this one of those soccer questions?" soccer, soccer, Socratic. . . I answered "Yes, it is! Say something to get th...See More

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bernoulli Soccer questions!!! Cool! Nice story!

(recommend they watch "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" so they can pronounce Socrates correctly!!!)

On 9/29/10, marjoryt wrote: > My students joined the intellectuals today - it's wonderful > to see them wake up and start working the problems! > > Early in the semester I desc...See MoreSoccer questions!!! Cool! Nice story!

(recommend they watch "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" so they can pronounce Socrates correctly!!!)

On 9/29/10, marjoryt wrote: > My students joined the intellectuals today - it's wonderful > to see them wake up and start working the problems! > > Early in the semester I described the Socratic teaching > method to my students - that I'd be asking questions > without easy answers, that I would not answer the questions > myself, and that they would have to work together for the > solutions. > > Today, we read a selection by the sociologist Claude Levi- > Strauss, which discussed chiefs in South American tribes. > I then invited questions from the students and responded to > those questions. My conclusion question was, "This is the > second selection we've read about leadership. The first > was Machiavelli's "The Duties of the Prince." What's the > difference between the two concepts?" > Dead silence. I let it sit. Ask the question again. Let > it sit. And let it sit some more. > One student raised his hand. "Mrs. T, is this one of those > soccer questions?" > soccer, soccer, Socratic. . . > I answered "Yes, it is! Say something to get the class > started!" > He said, "Machiavelli thought a prince should be ready for > war." > Another student said, "Well, you have to have money for > weapons and equipment." > The first student said, "And food, not that soldiers ever > have good food. Pay too. My ancestor quit the Confederate > Army - he hadn't been paid in two years." > > The students worked on that problem for about 5 minutes, > but then one said, "Ok, let's give Mrs. T her answer now. > I think Machiavelli's leader hoards his resources and > considers his people as a type of resource. Those chiefs > consider themselves and anything they own as resources for > the people of the tribe. It's like the exact oppposites. > Then, what are we, Mrs. T?" > My response? "Great work on a Socratic question. Good > work, good answer. Let's read what Rousseau and Jefferson > say about leaders in a democracy - next week."

Oct 1, 2010

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