Fishbowl Activity
Part I: Team A and Team B will observe a classroom for 20 minutes. During the observation, teams will be
focused on the following observable elements of the NCEES rubric.
Team A:
Team B:
(Facilitator/ Designee)
(Time keeper)
Standards to Observe: (no more than 4)
(Facilitator/ Designee)
(Timekeeper)
Standards to Observe: (no more than 4)
Each participant will receive a handout with each element and a space for note taking for each element.
You may want to provide a copy of the NCEES Teacher Rubric at the beginning of the OCT or you can choose
an Element Guide from the element specific Element Guides created for this activity. The Element Guide has an
area for observer comments and it has element specific questions to consider (from the Questions for Post
Observation Conference and Summative Evaluations resource).
The following questions should be considered during the observation.
1. What evidences can I document for each element?
2. What are the teacher’s strengths in terms of the four elements observed?
3. What are the teacher’s most significant areas for improvement in terms of the four elements observed?
4. How confident am I about each of the elements rated?
Part II: The Fishbowl
After the observations, the groups will return to the meeting area to engage in back-to-back fishbowl
conversations. Each conversation will last 20 minutes. A timer will be set to ensure time limits are valued.
Procedure:
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Team A will move to an inner circle, and the facilitator or a designee that observed the lesson with Team A,
will lead a discussion of Team A’s observation and the ratings each team member assigned to the four elements
observed. The conversation will focus on accuracy, rater agreement, evidences, teacher support, and questions.
Meanwhile, Team B will be seated in the outer circle taking notes on the conversation using the Capture your
Thoughts graphic organizer provided. The graphic organizer will encourage observers to focus on evidence
provided, clarifying questions, a-ha moments, and relevance to one’s own practice.
Following the fishbowl discussion, Team B will share reflections collected on their Capture your Thoughts
sheet, and a whole group debrief will follow.
After a short break, roles will reverse, and Team B’s facilitator/designee will lead Team B in a discussion while
Team A will serve as observers and use the same graphic organizers.
Notes will be collected to determine future support for principals in regards to evaluation.
Part III: The Reflection
Discuss process and how to improve the process to meet specific LEA needs.