Fish Bowl Activity

The literary Fish Bowl is a learning activity which allows you to demonstrate two skills:

1. The process of collaborative learning.
2. The process of responding to a work of literature.

The Purpose of the Fish Bowl:

1. Students in the Fish Bowl will prepare notes and questions for a work of literature.

2. Students in the Fish Bowl run a discussion with the entire inner group.

3. Students outside the Fish Bowl observe the inner group and take notes.

Classroom organization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The circle of students in the center of the classroom will discuss a specific piece of literature, with the help of prepared notes which will be turned in after the completion of the activity.

The outer circle of students will take notes on the discussion conducted by the inner circle and turn in their notes after the completion of the activity.

Preparation for Fish Bowl:

1. Reread your work of literature carefully and bring it to the Fish Bowl.

2. Review English Literature Terms and prepare notes.

3. Copy 5-10 significant quotes (Integrated quotes are extremely beneficial).

4. Write 5-10 relevant questions connected to the literature.

Rules for Discussion:

1. Contribute ideas readily.

2. Initiate and stimulate discussion with provocative questions.

3. Offer thoughtful and sound interpretive insights.

4. Provide feeback.

5. Listen to others open-mindedly.

6. Encourage others to participate.

7. Help keep the discussion focused.

8. One seat will be open for a member of the outer to briefly join the inner circle.

9. The Fish Bowl begins by each member of the group asking a question.

10. The Fish Bowl must be a minimum 10 minutes and maximum of 15 minutes.

11 . Anchor discussion to the text.