FISHBOWL DISCUSSION MASTER GUIDE

Fishbowl Rubrics

Student Handouts

Topic Bank

A complete set of instructions, roles, norms, procedures, rubrics, and extensions for four Fishbowl models.

I. OPEN FISHBOWL GUIDE
(“Empty Chair” model — observers may join the center.)
Purpose
To create a flowing, student-driven discussion where participants can move in and out of the inner circle when they have something substantial to add.
Setup

• Inner circle: 4–6 chairs, with one empty chair.
• Outer circle: full class facing inward.
• Text, question, or document distributed beforehand.

Procedure

1. Question Introduced
   The teacher presents the central question or text.
2. Initial Inner Circle Begins (6–10 min)
3. Entry/Exit Rule:
   • Any outer-circle student may sit in the empty chair to contribute.
   • Once finished, they return to the outer circle so another student can enter.
4. Evidence Protocol
   Participants must reference the text, document, or prior comments.
5. Outer Circle Duties
   • Track the use of evidence
   • Note discussion moves (agree, challenge, build, clarify)
6. Debrief
   Reflect on strengths, gaps, and new insights.

Student Roles

• Comment Builders
• Evidence Readers
• Clarifying Questioners
• Perspective Shifters

Assessment

• Quality of comments
• Use of evidence
• Ability to connect ideas
• Respectful dialogue

II. CLOSED FISHBOWL GUIDE
(Fixed group inside the circle — observers remain observers.)
Purpose
For structured practice in academic conversation with clear speaking turns and observation-focused feedback.
Setup

• Inner circle: 4–6 students.
• Outer circle: remaining students with observation tools.

Procedure

1. Preparation
   Students annotate the text or prepare evidence.
2. Inner Circle Discussion (10–15 min)
   Only the selected students speak.
3. Outer Circle Observation
   • Track speaking behaviors
   • Identify strong evidence
   • Monitor discussion flow
4. Feedback Round
   Observers share actionable insights.
5. Switch Groups (Optional)
   Rotate new students into the inner circle.

Roles

• Inner: Facilitator, Evidence Lead, Summarizer
• Outer: Evidence Tracker, Flowchart Mapper, Behavior Coach

Assessment

• Focus and depth of ideas
• Use of reasoning and text support
• Listening and turn-taking behaviors

III. ROTATIONAL FISHBOWL GUIDE
(Multiple timed rounds — every student participates.)
Purpose
To give all students equal participation and sustained engagement through timed rotations.
Setup

• 2–3 rounds, each with new inner-circle members.
• Same guiding question—or escalating questions per round.

Procedure

1. Round 1 – Starter Question
   6–8 mins, inner circle only.
2. Round 2 – Build or Challenge Question
   New group enters; observers share quick insights first.
3. Round 3 – Synthesis Question
   Final group discusses and closes the argument.
4. Whole-Class Debrief
   Identify throughlines, contradictions, and evolution of arguments.

Roles

• Each round: Speaker A, Speaker B, Evidence Specialist, Connector

Assessment

• Growth from round to round
• Synthesis skills in final round
• Collaborative listening

IV. DUAL FISHBOWL GUIDE (Two Inner Circles)
(Two groups discuss simultaneously, then compare.)
Purpose
To promote comparative thinking across perspectives, themes, or interpretations.
Setup

• Two inner circles (Circle A and Circle B).
• Two different questions OR two different texts.

Procedure

1. Circle A Discusses (5–8 min)
2. Circle B Discusses (5–8 min)
3. Cross-Comparison Round
   Members switch insights, similarities, contradictions.
4. Synthesis Whole-Class Share
   Create a “merged map” of both discussions.

Role Suggestions

• Circle A: Historical Lens
• Circle B: Ethical, Literary, Economic, Philosophical, or Political Lens

Assessment

• Quality of comparison
• Ability to integrate multiple perspectives
• Depth of synthesis

ESSENTIAL MATERIALS FOR ANY FISHBOWL

• Discussion Norms Sheet
• Sentence Starters
• Evidence Stems
• Outer Circle Observation Sheet
• Rubric (Speaking, listening, evidence, collaboration)
• Debrief questions