4 Corners Activity

Incorporating movement into the classroom can have several benefits, both physically and academically. Getting students to move around can enhance learning and retention. By physically engaging with content and concepts through kinesthetics, students are more likely to understand and remember on a deeper level. Movement has also been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety levels, which can be particularly beneficial for students who may be feeling overwhelmed or anxious in the classroom.

With this in mind, I sometimes use the “4 Corners” activity. “4 Corners” is a simple yet effective teaching strategy that teachers can use to encourage student engagement and critical thinking in the classroom. The activity involves the teacher asking a question or making a statement and students moving to one of four corners of the classroom that represents their response to the prompt.

I recently used it in a class about the Sustainable Development Goals where I had students answer the following question using “4 Corners”.

It turned out to be quite a simple yet effective way to get students to put forward their opinions and have a mini debate, leading nicely into the lesson.

Here's a summary of the steps involved in “4 Corners”:

1. The teacher selects a topic and prepares a question or statement related to the topic.

2. The teacher designates each corner of the classroom with a label that corresponds to a particular response to the question or statement (e.g. "Strongly Agree", "Agree", "Disagree", "Strongly Disagree").

3. The teacher reads the question or statement aloud, and students move to the corner of the room that represents their response.

4. Once students have moved to their chosen corner, the teacher can facilitate a discussion among the groups, allowing them to share their perspectives and reasoning.

5. The teacher can then summarize the different viewpoints presented and use them to guide further discussion or activities related to the topic.

“4 Corners” is a versatile strategy that can be used in a variety of subject areas and for different types of prompts, including open-ended questions, controversial topics, or even review questions. It encourages students to think critically and express their opinions, while also promoting movement and physical engagement in the classroom.

Try it out the next time you want your students to get on their feet and start thinking!