This works well with older students who have a stronger level of English.
How to play (credit: https://www.thoughtco.com/informal-debate-4-corners-strategy-8040):
1) Select an Opinion Statement: Select a statement that can require an opinion or a controversial topic or a complicated problem appropriate tied to the content you are teaching.
For example: Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?
2) Prepare room: In large letters, write one of the following across a piece of paper:
Strongly agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly disagree.
One poster should be placed in each of the four corners of the classroom.
3) Read statement to class and give time: Give the students 3-5 minutes to quietly process the statement so that each student has time to determine how he or she feels about the statement.
4) "Move to your corner"
After students have had time to think about the statement, ask the students to move to the poster in one of the four corners that best represents how they feel about the statement.
Explain that while there is no "right" or "wrong" answer, they may be called on individually to explain their reason for the choices.
Students will move to the poster that best expresses their opinions. Allow several minutes for this sorting. Encourage students to make an individual choice, not a choice to be with peers.
5) Meet with groups: The students will sort themselves into groups. There may be four groups evenly gathered in different corners of the classroom or you may have all students standing under one poster. The number of students gathered under one of the posters will not matter.
As soon as everyone is sorted, ask students to think first about some of the reasons they are standing underneath an opinion statement.
6) Notetaker: Appoint one student in each corner to be a notetaker. Give students 5-10 minutes to discuss with the other students in their corner the reasons they strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree.
7) Share results: Have the notetakers or a member of the group share the reasons the members of their group gave for choosing the opinion expressed on the poster.
8) Final Thoughts: After students discuss their stances, ask: Have they changed opinions? Why or Why not?
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I usually have a rapid fire version of this game, where I have a list of controversial statements. After everyone gets in their place and has time to formulate their opinions together, I call randomly on someone to explain their own and their team's thoughts. They often debate with each other and I encourage English only! Perfect for students to acclimate to describing their thoughts in depth.
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