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Using Socratic Circles to Engage English Language Learners in Historical Inquiry and Discussion

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Teaching History and Social Studies to English Language Learners

Abstract

This chapter describes how Socratic circles, a dialogic tool that is shown to increase learning talk, can engage English learners (ELs) in historical discussion following inquiry methods of learning in the social studies. Drawing on the related literature, we provide educators with a background about cultural competency and positionalities, historical inquiry, and Socratic circles. Evidence-based examples and strategies are then provided for using historical inquiry and Socratic circles in the social studies classroom to teach important yet difficult concepts (e.g., democracy, liberty) and connect them to content-based curricula. We conclude by connecting dialogue to the C3 frameworks to foster ELs’ civic participation, involvement, and agency and discuss implications and applications for teacher education.

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Kayi-Aydar, H., Endacott, J.L., Goering, C.Z. (2018). Using Socratic Circles to Engage English Language Learners in Historical Inquiry and Discussion. In: de Oliveira, L., Obenchain, K. (eds) Teaching History and Social Studies to English Language Learners. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63736-5_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63736-5_7

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-63735-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-63736-5

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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