Socratic circles
Often before writing a constructed response, we will hold a Socratic Circle to discuss important ideas after a close reading of a text, picture, video, or other stimulus. Here are two videos that are similar to the Socratic Circles we will conduct in class.
This is a class of elementary students having a Socratic Circle discussion about a piece of art. Although this format is quite different than the one we will be using in high school, pay close attention to the "rules" the teacher introduces and the way the students interact with her and with each other.
This is a class of high school seniors having a Socratic Circle discussion about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. As you watch, observe the roles of the teacher and the students. Also consider the depth of ideas the students are able to engender in this type of discussion.