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Students deepen their knowledge about a topic by working collaboratively with others. It is used to evaluate both ideas and products, check for comprehension, build expressive capacity and accountability, and build cohesion and community among classmates.
HANDOUTS and RESOURCES:
STEPS:
SETTING UP THE ROOM: Place one of four topic posters in each of the corners in the classroom depending on the purpose of the activity. For example, if students are evaluating an idea the corners will be Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree. If students are responding to a question, have the four response options posted in each corner.
STATEMENTS: Before choosing a corner, read a statement aloud (ex. Lunch is the most important meal of the day). Have students write down their choice and an explanation of why they are making that choice.
MOVING to CORNER: After writing, students will move to the corner that aligns with their stance.
DISCUSSION: Students will engage in a group discussion in each corner sharing why they choose that corner. Each person will share. The group will elect a spokesperson to summarize their group's position to the larger group.
WHOLE GROUP SHARE-OUT: Each group spokesperson will share out the group summary.
SCAFFOLDS:
Provide sentence frames for students to use in the group discussion.
Begin with non-academic topics to build community and trust.
Use pictures or graphics
Use a qualifier (the person who has the most pets) to share first in their group.
Have students partner share in their four corner group before sharing with the larger four corner group.
Use a word bank for the justification and discussion.
EXTENSIONS:
Have students reflect on the discussion and new information they learned in a quick write or a learning log.
Assign the corners to students so they have to learn how to see other perspectives.
Use pictures in the corners that connect with the content in different ways. This will require students to make meaning for themselves.
VIDEO:
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