Fishbowl Activity Revised
Fishbowl Activity Revised
You will be expected to participate in a new method of discussion. In this discussion, 4-5
students will be placed in a small circle in the middle of the classroom. These students will be
expected to discuss the current text being studied by the entire class. Meanwhile, all other
students will sit in a circle around the 4-5 discussion leaders, taking notes on what is being said.
When a student from the outer circle finds a point in the conversation at which s/he would like to
contribute, s/he will approach the inner circle and tap someone on the shoulder to replace. This
exchange should continue freely throughout the session. Discussion may include prepared
questions, reflection on emotional response, appreciation or critique of the authors craft, etc.
Specific Student Expectations:
All students will come prepared with at least 2 discussion questions and passages marked
in the text. Example of a rich question for discussion: Do you think Gatsbys efforts to
Student Name:
CATEGORY
________________________________________
Preparation
Question 1
Prepared Question
demonstrates a deep
reflection into the text
to generate
discussion.
Prepared Question
demonstrates a
generic/surface level
reflection to generate
some discussion.
Prepared Question
demonstrates little-tono attempt to
generate thinking and
discussion.
Preparation
Question 2
Prepared Question
demonstrates a deep
reflection into the text
to generate
discussion.
Prepared Question
demonstrates a
generic/surface level
reflection to generate
some discussion.
Prepared Question
demonstrates little-tono attempt to
generate thinking and
discussion.
Follows Along
Participates
Willingly
Student routinely
volunteers to enter
the center for
discussion. Student
behaves respectfully
and does not
dominate.
Student volunteers
once or twice,
behaves respectfully
and does not
dominate.
Quality of
Discussion
Student attempts to
Student reflects
support most insights without any attempt
with textual evidence. to support insights.
Total:
______/15
S6: I agree, but I also think that we are being set up for some negative things to come. Later in
the same paragraph the narrator mentions, it was what preyed on Gatsby(continues reading to
the end of page two)
Name: __________________________
Follow up point or
question that you
wish had been
made:
Best answer to
someone elses
question:
presented during
readers?
discussion:
Best point made by
a peer:
Point with which
you disagree:
Favorite reference
to the text:
Follow up point or
I wish student 2 had expanded on the ways in which the narrator seems
human. Are we supposed to relate to and trust him? How does the author
made:
Best answer to
someone elses
question: