Four Corners is an interactive learning strategy that promotes listening, verbal communication, cooperation, critical thinking, and decision-making. It can be used at any level.

Write a controversial statement or problem on the board, or ask a question (could be from a BrainPOP Quiz!), related to the topic of study. Read the problem to the class, and allow time for students to think about an answer to the statement/question. You might want them to write down their thoughts in a Quick Write. Then write a different opinion or response as the heading on chart paper in each of the four corners of the classroom. You can also use “Strongly Agree,” “Agree,” “Disagree,” and “Strongly Disagree”. Ask students to choose the answer that comes closest to theirs and go to that corner. Then, students share their ideas about why they have chosen that corner, and write bullet points on the paper.

After a few minutes of discussion in their groups, ask each group to present a summary of their ideas. The students listen to each presentation, without debate. At the end, ask if students were persuaded by anything they heard. If they have changed their opinions, then ask them to move to their new corner.