Four Corners Inquiry
Forming an opinion doesn’t take long, but thoughtfully examining the factors that influence these opinions does. Using logic is the key to making an informed decision about event or ideas that impact life. Four corners is a strategy that allows for a first, impulsive opinion statement followed by discussion and support of ideas. The use of logical thinking that makes Four Corners effective in guiding students to thinking more critically about issues.
Implementation
- Prepare and display labels for each corner in advance [1) Strongly Disagree, 2) Disagree, 3) Agree, and 4) Strongly Agree.
- Find several controversial statements that students feel strongly about, but that they must think through to explain their attitudes, feelings, or beliefs.
- Space is needed for students to move to a selected corner.
4. Set a time limit for the initial discussion of three or four minutes depending on the sizes of the groups.
· Limiting the time of the first group discussions to develop the logical support will help with management.
· The sizes of the groups may or may not be balanced, so keeping order is easier with limited time.
5. Allow students to move multiple times. The arguments presented should be compelling, and students will feel a need to rethink their positions.
6. Students should write an argument paper or persuasive essay following this activity.
Classroom Management
1. After the presentation of a controversial prompt, each student moves to the appropriate corner.
2. Each group prepares a justification for their position and presents for one minute.
· After each presentation, other students are allowed move to that corner if they are convinced of that position.
· Then students are given the choice to move to a different corner that better represents their feeling of the topic and explain what changed their viewpoint.
3. After the final argument for whichever corner goes last, each group should represent their strongest statements of support for their position.
4. Each group can generate a list of defenses after the Four Corners is finished. Those lists can become the first outline for an argument essay.
5. All support must be verifiable from reading, research, and class notes.
