Food Inc.

Fishbowl Instructions

First of all, students will be divided up into Group A, and Group B. Group A will have their discussion in one class, and
Group B will have their discussion in the following class.

What is a Fishbowl?

It’s a form of discussion that helps students practice being contributors and listeners. Students
ask questions, present opinions, and share information while they sit in a “fishbowl” circle.
Another group of students will be sat around the outside listening carefully and will keep notes
of all of the interactions of a student. Then the roles reverse.

How does a Fishbowl discussion work?

First of all, the classroom is set up into two circles. The inner circle is for the first
group of students who will be talking that class. The outer circle is for the remaining
students who will be listening and taking notes of the other students’ performance.
Students will have 35 minutes of discussion time to talk about their ideas using the
questions as a guide. Students can also ask new questions that are relevant, should
they wish. In order to add to the quality of the discussion, students should avoid
repeating themselves, or sharing ideas already covered by other students. The role
of the teacher is to facilitate the discussion, not to intervene. Students should be
able to self-regulate. The only people allowed to speak are those on the inside.

What are the rules?

Only one person can speak at a time. Students must avoid speaking over each other, and must never shout. Participants
must use cues such as body language and eye contact to determine when it is appropriate to speak. If two people start to
speak at the same time, one must yield. Questions can only be asked by those in the inner circle, no speaking in the outer
circle. Students should respond to the comments of other participants by adding additional evidence or ideas, or asking
them questions. Students not allowing other people to speak will receive negative points.

Students on the outside of the discussion must note down examples of when their peers in the discussion group are
following the rubric, and when they are not. Students should write down the number of positive points, and negative
points, according to the categories. They should be ready to give feedback at the end of the session.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by the group sat on the outside of the circle, who will take notes using the rubric provided. You were
also asked to take notes while you watched the documentary, so this will also count towards your grade. The teacher will
also keep a record of the interactions, and your grade will be based on this.

What happens after?

After the discussion students should then self-evaluate on how they think they
performed in the discussion, what they learnt from it, and how they could
improve. Students should also evaluate their participation as listeners, as well
as participants.
Discussion Rubric:

Name of Student

Name of Assessor GROUP:

Positive + Points Negative - Points

+ 1 – Making a relevant, - 1 – Making an irrelevant

well-expressed comment or unclear comment,
using appropriate lacking key vocabulary.
vocabulary.

+ 1 – Waiting respectfully - 1 – Dominating the

for their turn to speak. discussion talking
excessively, or interrupting
a classmate.

+ 1 – Drawing another - 2 – Speaking in vague

person into the terms with no specific
conversation, asking examples or clear point. Or
questions. repeating previous points.

+ 2 – Demonstrating active - 2 – Not listening carefully

listening by paraphrasing to the person speaking, not
another students’ opinion, giving eye contact, losing
or adding extra detail and concentration, or chatting
information to their point. with another classmate.

+ 2 – Respectfully - 2 – Not contributing to

challenging the logic of the discussion for more
another student. than 10 minutes.

+ 2 – Using pertinent - 3 – Personal attacks,

examples and statistics insults, shouting over
from the video or articles another student
to support a position.

TOTAL + POINTS TOTAL - POINTS

General feedback: