FISH BOWL discussion

Offering opportunities to allow different types of learners to 'show what they know' is really important. Whilst it's important that we all learn how to express ourselves verbally, through art and in writing. We also know that many of us prefer to do it one way more than another, or that we are just better at doing it one way rather than another.

The FISH BOWL technique is a way to allow everyone to express their understandings within the forum of a discussion. Only the students sat in the small circle can take part in the discussion. Everyone on the outside listens. If you are on the outside and you feel that you have an important comment that you can bring to the discussion you may politely tap someone sitting down on the shoulder and switch places.

The technique builds on active listening skills, communication skills, debating skills, and also increases participant’s awareness of their own role within a discussion. The third graders discussed the following questions as part of finishing our thoughts on the previous unit of inquiry:

1. What changes/experiences have you had in your life?
2. Why am I unique?
3. How have my experiences and the changes in my life shaped the way I think and act?

The discussion was truly academic! Mr. Driver and Mrs. Godsmark were very impressed with the high level of thinking.

Some quotes:

"Just like Bruce the Moose says...you are made into you somehow"
"Nobody on this planet, even if they have the same name as you, has had the same experiences as you, so no one can be the same at all"
"All of us have different educations from our parents and our different schools so this makes all of us think differently"
"Even twins are different; everyone has different bodies and different problems"
"No one is exactly the same; no one is an exact copy of anyone else"
"There maybe one thousand Orlando's but my mum, my dad, my sister and my life, my school and my experiences make me who I am. Like on the X-Factor, you have to be who YOU are, not anyone else"

A wonderful discussion to observe!