The Four Corners Teaching Strategy.

1. The Four Corners
A Teaching Strategy
BY JESSE BUCK

2. Step One: Preparation
 Label the four corners of the room: 1st-
Strongly Agree, 2nd- Agree, 3rd-
Disagree, 4th- Strongly Disagree.
 Generate a list of possible discussion
points.
 Make sure points are vague enough to
allow for discussion.
 Controversial topics are preferable
because they encourage in depth
discussions.

3. Step 2: Introduce Topics
 Distribute the list of
topics.
 Allow the students time
to write down their
opinions to the topics.
 Tell the students to
explain their opinions.

4. Step 3: Four Corner Discussions
 Start off stating one of the topics out loud for the class.
 After the question is stated, tell the students to go to whichever
corner that is marked with their opinion of the topic.
 Once students are in their places, ask the students for volunteers
to explain their opinions from each corner.
 Encourage students to switch corners if an opinion is stated that
encourages a change of mind.
 Encourage students to ask question the opinions of other
students.

5. Step 4: Reflection
 There are many ways that this strategy can be
debriefed.
 One way is to ask the students how they feel
like this exercise changed or reaffirmed their
original beliefs.
 Many students may feel uncomfortable with
the results of this exercise.
 That is a good thing, because it shows that a
student is actively trying to understand and
learn.