Fishbowl Instructions

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

impress Daisy will work?

All students in the outer circle will take notes on the discussion from the inner circle (to

be collected as evidence of participation and comprehension of key topics).

All students will take at least one turn in the center (self-monitoring participation).
Students will support insights with evidence from the text. Example: Gatsby may never
impress Daisy, because he struggles to completely fit into the expectations of wealthy
society. See chapter 7 and the comment about

Gatsbys pink suit.

All students will behave with respect and avoid
talking over/dominating one another.

Listening and Sharing: Fish Bowl Discussion

Teacher Name: Miss Simpson

Emily Simpson 2015

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

Student fulfills all

expectations of
notetaking (3 items
on chart) during the
discussion.

Student fills two items

of the notetaking
chart during
discussion.

Student fills one item

of the notetaking
chart during
discussion.

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.

Student does not

willingly participate.

Quality of
Discussion

All insights are

supported by textual
evidence.

Student attempts to
Student reflects
support most insights without any attempt
with textual evidence. to support insights.

Total:

______/15

*Ask me about my methods of assessment and feedback for participation in discussion.

Emily Simpson 2015

Fish Bowl Discussion Model

The following is a model of a rich discussion from the first two pages of The Great
Gatsby. I need six volunteers to read aloud and demonstrate this model for the rest of the class.
S1: What are your feelings/perceptions of the narrator so far? I find him to be slightly
contradictory.
S2: I saw him as open-minded. On page 1 he says, Im inclined to reserve all judgments.
S3: I disagree. I think he is judgmental, perhaps a little self-righteous. The narrator goes on to
say at the top of page two that he thinks some people are born with more decency, more morality,
than others. Why does he get to decide what is decency and what makes a person act one way or
another?
S4: In that same passage, the narrator describes that belief as being snobbishly repeated,
indicating that he may even realize that he is being overly critical.
S2: See, I find that to be understandable. He is human. We can see that he is simply human by
the way he says, I come to the admission that it has a limit, on page 2.
S1: That is why I feel conflicted. I must admit that I am draw to the way he speaks so lovingly of
Gatsby later in the page.
S4: I had a question about that. Based on the title, this book is supposed to be about him, but I
guess isnt told by him. How do you feel about the way his character is introduced to us as the
readers?
*Two students (S5 and S6) enter to replace S1 and S2.
S5: I think it is obvious that we are supposed to have a positive view of him. On page two, some
of the words used to describe him are gorgeous and with an extraordinary gift for hope.

Emily Simpson 2015

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: __________________________

Active Listening Notes

To receive points for active listening, use the following chart to take notes during the discussion.
You must fill out 3 of the 6 boxes to receive full credit on that portion of the rubric.
Favorite question
presented during
discussion:
Best point made by
a peer:
Point with which
you disagree:
Favorite reference
to the text:

Emily Simpson 2015

Follow up point or
question that you
wish had been
made:
Best answer to
someone elses
question:

Name: Example Student

Active Listening Notes MODEL

To receive points for active listening, use the following chart to take notes during the discussion.
You must fill out 3 of the 6 boxes to receive full credit on that portion of the rubric.
Favorite question

How do you feel about the way Gatsbys character is introduced to us as

presented during

readers?

discussion:
Best point made by
a peer:
Point with which
you disagree:
Favorite reference
to the text:

Emily Simpson 2015

Student 6 refers to potential foreshadowing on page 2.

Follow up point or

I wish student 2 had expanded on the ways in which the narrator seems

question that you

human. Are we supposed to relate to and trust him? How does the author

wish had been

establish this trust or lack of trust early on?

made:
Best answer to
someone elses
question:

Emily Simpson 2015