How to Use
1. Prepare
Generate a controversial statement or a question related to your topic of study. Create four different opinions (often teachers use “Strongly Agree,” “Agree,” “Disagree,” and “Strongly Disagree”) related to the statement or four possible answer choices to the question. Post these on chart paper in four different areas of your classroom. The opinions/answers can also be shown on the overhead in multiple choice format, while each corner of the room is labeled as A, B, C, or D.
2. Present
Read the statement or problem to the class, without giving them choices. Allow time for students to independently think about an answer to the statement/question. You can ask them to write down their answer and reason for their choice. Then, provide the answer choices. Ask students to choose the option that comes closest to their original answer.
3. Commit to a Corner
Ask students to gather in the corner of the room that corresponds to their choice. In each corner, students form groups of two or three to discuss the reasons for selecting a particular choice.
4. Discuss
Allow two or three minutes of discussion. Call on students to present a group summary of their opinions. This can be done through an oral presentation or as a written statement.
When to Use
Use Four Corners at any point in the lesson to structure meaningful conversation:
- Before introducing new material to tap into prior knowledge
- After watching a debatable film clip to gauge a reaction
- After reading a short text to begin a discussion
- In the middle of direct teach to help students process information
- When students are in need of movement
- As a test review after a unit of study
Variations
A-B-C-D
For a test review, place A, B, C, or D in each corner. Ask a multiple-choice question, and have students move to the answer they would choose. Upon arrival at their corner, pairs or trios discuss why they have chosen their answer. Groups share out their reasoning, and then students are allowed to change their corner after hearing the reasoning of each corner.
Download Templates
Four Corners Elementary - Google Doc*For elementary, this template should only be used in Intermediate Grades 3-5. Primary Grades PK-2 should provide oral responses, rather than written, and fewer in quantity.
Four Corners Secondary - Google DocFor a more structured approach to Four Corners, use a direction sheet like this one to help students organize their thoughts and their time working as a group. Have the students write in the question or problem you want them to think about at the top of the page.
Four Corners Spanish - Google Doc
Teachers Shown
Erin Harton
7th and 8th grade English Language Arts teacher.
Pflugerville ISD, Texas
Michael Rowland
3rd grade Bilingual teacher.
Austin ISD, Texas
Juan Ramirez
3rd grade Bilingual teacher.
Austin ISD, Texas
