Four Corners of Opinion: Statements About Girls, Boys and Sport

The teacher reads statements about gender stereotypes in sport, and each student walks slowly to the corner that matches their view: strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree. Students cool down on foot while comparing ideas respectfully.

How to play

1. Post the four signs in the corners and explain there are no right answers (1 min).
2. First statement ("There are boys' sports and girls' sports"); walk to your corner (2 min).
3. A volunteer from each corner explains their view in one sentence; anyone who changes their mind may walk over (2 min).
4. Three more statements ("Mixed PE classes play worse," "Seeing women's sports on TV changes what girls choose," "A boy who dances is just as much an athlete as one who plays football") with the same routine (4 min).
5. Wrap-up: tell the person next to you, quietly, one idea you heard that you hadn't thought of (1 min).

Rules

• Walk only, no pushing in the corners.
• Criticize ideas, never people.
• Speaking is voluntary.
• No one comments on anyone's body.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: use four colored cards to show their view from where they are.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: statements are shown written on a large card.
• Shy students: may hold up a card instead of moving if they feel exposed.

Learning goals

• Cool down actively.
• Identify gender stereotypes in sport.
• Listen to different opinions without judging.

Equipment for a class of 25

• signs: 4
• statement cards: 8

Teacher tip

Prepare the statements ahead and don't make them all obvious: the discussion comes from the gray areas. If an opinion offends, redirect with a question ("What facts do we have?") instead of punishing.

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