Choose a corner

This strategy will help students to:

  • identify and clarify attitudes using hypothetical issues

  • consider information and other's ideas and views 

  • share reasons for making a decision with others.

Implementation

  1. Prepare four signs, each numbered with a 1, 2, 3 or 4.

  2. Place a number sign in each corner of the room.

  3. Explain to students that they are to listen to four statements and choose the one that best represents their opinion. It may help students to become familiar with this strategy by starting with topics that require very little thought. For example,

On the weekend, the thing I like to do most is:

  • watch TV 

  • meet up with my friends

  • listen to music

  • read a book.

  1. Students move to the corner that best describes their opinion.

  2. Students standing together share their reasons for choosing the statement.

  3. Invite students to share opinions between corners then move onto a topic or issue that students may not have discussed. For example,

If I was pressured into sex at a party, I might:

  • make an excuse and walk away

  • tell the person that I don't want to have sex

  • let the person pressure me into it

  • have sex, just this once.

Variation

Human graph

Instead of having a number sign in each corner of the room, place the signs in a line from one to four. Pose the statement and choices then ask students to stand behind the number that best represents their opinion and share their reasons. The advantage of this variation is that it gives a more visual representation of how the class is voting. Quantitative statements can be made by students to describe the voting. For example, 

  • More boys agree that girls have it easier than boys do in relationships.

  • Most of the class disagreed that young people don't have to worry about STIs, as it's usually adults who are affected.