• Copies of The Giver with student annotations
• Discussion preparation worksheet with question stems
• Text evidence collection sheet
• Speaking/listening rubric
• Discussion tracker form
• Chairs arranged in a circle

Select key passages from the novel that address themes of freedom, individualism, and memory. Create a preparation worksheet for students to develop higher-order questions. Establish clear norms for respectful discussion.

1. Pre-seminar preparation (previous day):
2. Students read and annotate selected chapters/passages
3. Each student creates 2-3 open-ended discussion questions using provided stems
4. Students gather textual evidence for expected discussion points
2. Before beginning, review Socratic Seminar norms:
3. Speak to each other, not just to the teacher
4. Refer to the text to support ideas
5. Ask follow-up questions to probe deeper
6. Listen actively and build on others' comments
7. Involve everyone (monitor participation balance)
3. Open with a thought-provoking core question: 'In The Giver, is the community's sacrifice of choice worth the benefits of sameness and security?'
4. Facilitation (25-30 minutes):
5. Teacher role is primarily to listen, occasionally redirect if discussion strays
6. Use tracking form to note student participation patterns
7. After 15 minutes, pause to invite quiet students to contribute
8. If discussion stalls, introduce a follow-up question about a key scene
5. Closing reflection: Have students write for 3-4 minutes about a new insight they gained from the discussion and how their thinking evolved.
6. Debrief the seminar process itself: What made our discussion effective? What could we improve next time?

For students new to Socratic Seminars, provide more structured question stems and allow small group preparation. For advanced groups, add an inner/outer circle format where observation roles rotate. For English learners, provide key vocabulary and discussion phrases in advance.

Use discussion tracker to document participation and quality of contributions. Evaluate students' use of textual evidence and listening skills. Review closing reflections for depth of thinking and growth.