The Paideia Seminar
Launch Activity
Building background knowledge on the topic for the seminar.
Background Information
Provide background information on the text, context, historical time period, or contemporary issue.
Inspectional Read
Participants number the paragraphs in the assigned text and review and highlight unfamiliar terms.
Vocabulary
Have participants share the words and phrases they found unfamiliar and use strategies to familiarize participants with terms from the text.
Analytical Read
Have participants read through the text selection again, slowly highlighting the 3 most impactful lines or sentences. Then, in the selections' margins, write notes on what makes those lines or sentences so compelling.
Define and State the Purpose of the Seminar
- “A Paideia seminar is a collaborative, intellectual dialogue about a text, facilitated with open-ended questions.”
- “The main purpose of this seminar is to arrive at a fuller understanding of the textual ideas and values, of ourselves, and of each other.”
Describe the Responsibilities of the Facilitator and Participants
- “I am primarily responsible for asking challenging, open-ended questions, and I will take a variety of notes to keep up with the talk turns and flow of ideas. I will help move the discussion along in a productive direction by asking follow-up questions based on my notes.
- “I am asking you to think, listen, and speak candidly about your thoughts, reactions, and ideas. You can help each other do this by using each other’s names.
- “You do not need to raise your hands in order to speak; rather, the discussion is collaborative in that you try to stay focused on the main speaker and wait your turn to talk.
- “You should try to both agree and disagree courteously and thoughtfully. For example, you might say, ‘I disagree with Joanna because…,’ focusing on the ideas involved, not the individuals.”
Have Participants Set a Personal Goal
- “Now, please reflect on how you normally participate in a discussion as a group. What goal can you set for yourself that will help the flow and meaning of the seminar?
- “Please consider the list of personal participation goals – either on the Speaking and Listening Checklist or on the board.”
- To speak at least three times
- To refer to the text
- To ask a question
- To speak out of uncertainty
- To build on others’ comments
- “Is there one that is relevant for you? Please choose one goal from the list, or that you feel is best, and commit to achieving it during the discussion we are about to have… Write down (or circle) your personal goal.”
Agree on a Group Goal
- “For this seminar, I will suggest our group goal…” (Select display for all to see or have a brief discussion to decide and post the group goal.)
Opening (Identify Main Ideas From the Text)
- Which of the paragraphs contains the text’s strongest argument? (Round-Robin)
- What makes that particular paragraph so significant? (Spontaneous Discussion)
Core (Analyze Textual Details)
- Five to six questions that get into the analysis of the text and its ideas
- Participants can ask their own questions
- Not all questions need to be used
Closing (Personalize and Apply the Ideas)
- Questions about connection / relevance to contemporary issues
- Agreement / disagreement with ideas from the text
- Application to other issues / events of interest / importance
Post-Seminar Process
“Thank you for your focused and thoughtful participation in our seminar.”
Post-Seminar Content
Participants should be encouraged to revisit notes they captured on the margins of their text selection, personal recording space, etc., and during the Launch Activity to deepen their learning through writing activity.
