Inside-Outside Circle

This is a cooperative learning activity where the teacher prepares questions or provides
a question card for each student. Students rotate in concentric circles to face new
partners for sharing, quizzing or problem-solving. This structure functions to build class
building, social skills, communication skills, knowledge building, processing
information, thinking skills and presentations.

How to use

1. Students form pairs. One student from each pair moves to form one large circle in the
class facing outward.

2. Remaining students find and face their partners (class now stands in two concentric
circles).

3. Inside circle students ask a question from their question card; outside circle student’s
answer. Then the inside circle students praise or coach.

4. Partner switch roles: outside circle students ask, listen and then praise or coach.

5. Partners trade question cards.

6. Inside circle students rotate clockwise to a new partner.

When to use

Use Inside-Outside Circle to:

 Build social skills

 Improve class building
 Review concepts
 Debate various topics
 Review vocabulary
 Check homework

Variations

Inside-Outside Line Students stand in two straight lines facing each other. One line
rotates, and the other remains in place. Rotating students rotate to a new partner and
rotate to the back or their line when they pass the last student in the fixed line.

Teacher Based Inside-Outside Circle All procedures are the same except for on step 3
the teacher asks a question indicates inside or outside sitting to answer to their partner.

Teacher rotation Inside-Outside Circle All procedures are the same except on step 6 the
teacher may call rotation numbers: “Rotate three ahead.” The class may do a “choral
count” as they rotate.
Cards Inside-Outside Circle When played with cards, all steps are the same except for
steps 3 to 6 are quiz quiz trade.