Stand and Decide: The 4 Corners Debate
This teaching strategy helps students develop opinions about a novel or historical time period, in preparation for an expository writing assignment.
1. Create a worksheet with a list of five opinions (Ex. "Romeo and Juliet were really in love").
2. Ask students to read each opinion, decide if they agree or disagree, and write a two sentence explanation for their opinion. In the meantime, post four signs around the room: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree and Strongly Disagree.
3. Read each sentence and ask the students to go stand under the sign that describes their opinion. Allow for debate; encourage students to justify and explain their position.
Eftihia Danellis, a Facing History Program Associate, has used this activity her classrooms/workshops in two ways:
1. Before showing "The Bad Samaritan" film about David Cash, who stood by while his friend assaulted and murdered a little girl, Eftihia put the proposition on the board which is a paraphrase of the mother´s assertion: "Anyone who witnesses harm being done to another is as responsible as the perpetrator." This resulted in a lively discussion, which allowed students then to explore the concept of ´universe of obligation.´
2. After showing a clip from "The Murderers Among Us" about Simon Wiesenthal being asked for forgiveness by a Nazi soldier who had committed heinous crimes against others, Eftihia put up the proposition: "Wiesenthal should forgive the soldier" and then invited students into the 4 corners to confer and advocate for their positions.
