Four Corners
Allowing for movement in the classroom - K-8
Big Idea
Four corners is an interactive learning strategy that promotes listening, verbal communication, cooperation, critical thinking, and decision-making.
Directions
- Prepare four different categories or statements. This will vary based on your purpose. You could simply do strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree or great, good, not so good, and bad. Or put four different possible answers. Then, post the signs in four different spots in your room.
- Create one or several statements where students have to decide where they fit.
- Tell students to walk to the sign where they fit.
- Students pair up within the group they chose.
- Teacher provides a discussion prompt for them to discuss. For example, "Share two reasons why you chose this corner," or "What would have to happen for you to move to another spot?"
- Students discuss the prompt.
- Have students share out with the class.
When you can use this strategy.
- You can use it as a get to know you activity at the beginning of the year.
- You can use it as a hook before starting a new unit.
- You can use it as a formative assessment.
- You can use it to have discussion about key elements in the curriculum.