The document describes a Nun's Circle or Modified Fishbowl activity for discussing stereotypes. Students arrange themselves in an inner and outer circle according to a diagram. Three students begin in the inner discussion circle while others listen from the outer circle. Students in the outer circle can join the discussion by taking a vacant seat in the inner circle. The activity continues until all students have a chance to participate. Community agreements include mutual respect, attentive listening, appreciation, no putdowns, and the right to pass. Journal and reflection questions are provided to prompt discussion.

1. Nun’s Circle or Modified Fishbowl
Activity
Instructions:
1. Students set up the room (according to diagram)
2. Distribute tickets for participation (two per student)
3. Students write their names on each ticket
4. Review Nun’s Circle procedure and Community Agreements
5. Three participants are selected to move into the center circle
6. Teacher restates the prompt and the inner circle begins their
discussion
7. The outer circle listens to the conversation. When one of them
wants to join the discussion, they sit down at the vacant seat, drop
their ticket into the bowl, and enter into the discussion. At this
point, the person who has been in the inner circle the longest
leaves the inner circle.
8. Only three people are allowed in the inner circle at a time
9. The circle can last until every person has had a chance to enter into
the conversation

2. Community Agreements
Mutual Respect: all people’s values, comments,
and questions are valuable and worthy of being
discussed
Attentive Listening: we will listen with our ears
and minds by giving undivided attention to the
speaker
Appreciation: we will look for opportunities to
encourage, compliment, and thank others
No Putdowns: we will show our consideration of
for others through our words and actions
Right to Pass: we will allow ourselves and others
the choice to participate or not participate

3. Prompts for Students
‘In response to…’
‘I would like to follow that point with…’
‘Going back to _________’s point about…’
‘I agree that ... however…’
‘I’d like to share…’
‘Adding to…’
‘I’d like to add…’

4. Journal Questions
Answer one of the following questions:
What are some of the negative stereotypes
that you’ve come across in your personal
life? How have they affected you?
What are some of the consequences of
stereotyping other people? Give some
examples.
Why do we have stereotypes? Where do
they come from?
How can we put an end to negative
stereotypes?

5. Reflection/Debriefing Questions
1. What have you learned about
stereotypes?
2. What are some of the points that you
heard from your classmates?
3. How did you contribute to the
discussion?
4. What did you like or not like about the
discussion?

6. Reflection/Debriefing Questions
1. What have you learned about
stereotypes?
2. What are some of the points that you
heard from your classmates?
3. How did you contribute to the
discussion?
4. What did you like or not like about the
discussion?