One of the vital parts of a well-run Socratic Seminar at any grade level is to be sure to present and review the Ground Rules or Guidelines for Socratic Seminar participants. This step can easily be skipped in the daily rush of classroom life. Be sure to not skip it and be sure to ask students to individually and collectively reflect on how well the Ground Rules were practiced in each Socratic Seminars.

Here is a document that attendees at our workshops and trainings are given that you might find useful regarding Ground Rules. It is title Guidelines for Socratic Seminar Participants. Please use and adapt to your needs and those of your students.