Dropping the Bomb Socratic Seminar

Why did Truman decide to drop the atomic bombs on Japan?

Students don’t get the answer- they investigate it...together 

What Students do:

• Students analyze 5 rich, documents that capture different perspectives: military, political, moral. 
• Answer guiding questions that push real thinking- not surface-level responses
• Create their own questions to drive deeper inquiry and ready for the Socratic Seminar
• Write a short, evidence-based mini-essay to clarify their position
• Step into a Socratic Seminar where students challenge, defend, and rethink their ideas

This is always the best seminars of the year with my classes and I am sure it will be a powerful and memorable learning experience in your room too.