Four Corners
Grade: K-12
Big Idea
The "Four Corners" cooperative learning activity is a great way to get students up, moving around the classroom, and discussing their ideas with their classmates.
Directions
- Prepare your classroom by making four different signs titled “Strongly Agree,” “Agree,” “Disagree,” and “Strongly Disagree.” Place them in each of the four corners of the classroom.
- Create a question or statement around a topic or your unit of study.
- Read and/or present the question or statement to your class.
- Give students time “think time” to decide on their position.
- Have students then commit to a corner of the room that matches their choice.
- In each corner, have the students form groups of 2-3 students.
- Give students 2-3 minutes of time to discuss their ideas with one another.
- Call on students to share their ideas and thoughts.
When to Use
- Before beginning a unit to see what students already know.
- After reading a chapter, short story, poem, or any text to begin a discussion.
- When students need to get up, move, and talk.
- To review for a test or after a unit has been completed.
Variation
- ABCD - Place A, B, C, or D in each corner. Ask students a multiple-choice question, and have them get up to the answer they would choose. Then ask each group why they chose the answer they did. Students can move to a new corner if they are persuaded by their classmates.
Pick a Corner: Engaging Students and Encouraging Critical Thinking