Inside-Outside Circle

What is Inside-Outside Circle?

Inside-Outside Circle is an interactive, movement-based Kagan structure that gets students talking, listening, and learning from many peers in a short amount of time. Students form two concentric circles and rotate to interact with multiple partners, responding to questions or prompts.

Key Features:

• High engagement and movement
  
  

• Multiple partner interactions
  
  

• Builds listening and speaking skills
  
  

• Great for both academic and social-emotional learning

How It Works:

1. Divide the class into two equal groups.
   
   

2. One group forms a circle facing outward (inside circle).
   
   

3. The other group forms a circle around them, facing inward (outside circle), so each student has a partner.
   
   

4. The teacher gives a question or prompt.
   
   

5. Partners discuss the prompt—taking turns to share.
   
   

6. After a set time, the outside circle rotates (one or more spots to the left/right), and new partners are formed.
   
   

7. Repeat with a new prompt or question.

Variations:

• Inside speaks first, then outside; or vice versa
  
  

• Use review questions, discussion starters, or team-building prompts
  
  

• Can add written recording sheets for accountability

Great For: 

• Vocabulary or content review
  
  

• Practicing language structures
  
  

• Social skills and team building
  
  

• Exit tickets or formative assessment