Download Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan – Grade 7 – Was Julius Caesar a

Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan – Grade 6 – Was Julius Caesar a Roman Hero or a Tyrant?
Choose one of more of the following text(s):
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A Portrait of Julius Caesar (http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/caesar3.htm )
Julius Caesar Crosses the Rubicon, 49 B.C (http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/caesar.htm )
The Assassination of Julius Caesar, 44 B.C (http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/caesar2.htm )
Indicator(s):
SS.HAW.b
SS.HAW.c
SS.HAW.70.03
Identify and distinguish between cause and effect, sequence, and correlation as tools for examining historic events
Make decisions and analyze decisions of individuals, groups, and institutions in other times and places, and evaluate the
consequences
Describe the social structure, significance of citizenship, and development of political institutions in the Roman Republic
Objective(s):
Students will examine the life of Julius Caesar and determine if Caesar was a political genius or a tyrannical dictator
Time Required: 45 minutes
Materials:
For the teacher: Socratic Seminar Record Sheet
For each student:
Copy of selected text(s)
Rules for a Good Fishbowl Discussion
Fishbowl Discussion: Overview
For each participant: Teacher’s Evaluation of Participant’s
Performance
For each coach: Coach’s Evaluation of Participant’s Performance
Additional Questions:
 What were Caesar’s good qualities or characteristics?
 What were Caesar’s bad qualities or characteristics?
 Who supported Caesar?
 Who was against Caesar?
 How did Caesar justify his actions?
 How does history portray Caesar?
Pre-Seminar Activities:
Provide students with some background
knowledge of Ancient Rome.
Provide selected texts for students to read
prior to Socratic seminar.
Essential or
Opening Question:
Was Julius Caesar a Roman
hero or a tyrant?
Participants and coaches will meet for a preconference to discuss the participant’s goals
for the discussion.
Post Seminar Activities:
The teacher will thank students for their
participation and summarize the main ideas
and concepts examined during the discussion.
Assessment Options:
The teacher will evaluate
participants and coaches using
rubric provided.
Coaches provide feedback to the participants
during a post-conference to acknowledge
strengths and identify weaknesses.
If time permits, students may
write a paragraph or complete
an exit ticket to explain what
they learned from the seminar.
Students may create either a “Man of the
Year” or “Rome’s Most Wanted” poster about
Caesar. Poster should include a visual and a
short paragraph providing evidence to support
the student’s position.