Four Corners Inquiry

Four Corners Inquiry is a group learning activity that helps students to hone their argumentation skills. Students are confronted with controversial issues or statements with which they are likely to agree or disagree.

Each corner of a classroom becomes a separate opinion area where like-minded students gather to discuss reasons that support their similar viewpoints. After sorting themselves into opinion-based groups they identify, synthesize, and report out on the principal arguments that support their positions. Individually, students create a final written product based on their groups’ findings.

Four Corners Inquiry can also be used as an effective means for assessing students' prior beliefs and understandings.

 

Implementation

PREPARATION

• Prepare four posters labeled: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree and hang them in four separate corners of the room.
• It may be important for the class to establish agreed-upon norms of behavior before beginning.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. Select one or more controversial topic/statement(s) that are age and content appropriate for your students and suitable for a Four Corners Inquiry.
2. Review the Four Corners Inquiry process before beginning the activity. Emphasize the importance of keeping an open-mind and respecting other student’s opinion.
3. Write the controversial statement(s) on the board so that they are easily seen by all students.
4. After presenting each statement to students, give them a few moments to decide their personal reaction to the statement. Instruct them to move to the appropriate corner.
5. Once the groups have congregated, they should discuss their opinions, explain the thinking behind these opinions, and synthesize the group’s viewpoints on a sheet of paper into a single clear explanation of their position.
6. Have each group give a brief presentation of their position.
7. After all groups have presented, allow students who have been persuaded by the discussion to switch corners.
8. Follow-up with instructions for an individual writing assignment based on this Four Corners Inquiry.

 

Assessment

You may grade the group presentation based on clarity and organization. Grade the individual writing assignments in your usual fashion.

 

Classroom Management

• During group discussions, make yourself available to answer any questions or address any confusion.
• Circulate between groups to observe and ensure respectful interpersonal behavior.

 

Interdisciplinary Connections

English/Language Arts – A Four Corners Inquiry is a great pre-writing activity to help students focus their thoughts before completing a persuasive essay.

Science – When discussing a set of controversial science topics, this activity can serve as a focusing tool for a research-based persuasive essay.

Social Studies – During a civics lesson, this activity can be used to introduce students to current controversial political issues. This activity would serve an excellent precursor to organizing a formal debate.

 

Variations

Instead of allowing students to argue for the position that they support, randomly assign them corners. During the small group discussion time, they should develop arguments for their position. This switch will enhance student’s ability to argue persuasively about any viewpoint and promote open-mindedness toward real world issues.

Preparation time: 15 / Delivery time: 35