Voice Your View
Equipment list
Signs labeled "Agree," "Disagree," and "Neutral"
List of questions, statements, facts, or opinions to present
Explanation
The Voice Your View activity is an interactive and engaging way for students to express their opinions and engage in meaningful discussion. The class begins by standing in the middle of the room. The teacher (or a student) reads aloud a statement, fact, or opinion such as, “I think...,” “In my opinion...,” or “According to me...".
After each statement, students must choose their stance—either “Agree,” “Disagree,” or “Neutral”—and physically move to the sign that aligns with their opinion. This movement encourages participation and helps students reflect on their perspectives. The activity fosters a collaborative and spontaneous exchange of ideas, as students discuss their reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with the statement, either with their peers or during the whole-class discussion.
The activity works well for building critical thinking skills, encouraging respectful debate, and promoting engagement with the material.
Variation / Progression
Variation
Four Corners: In this variation, students stand in one of four corners of the room to indicate their opinion on a statement. The corners represent "Strongly Agree," "Somewhat Agree," "Disagree," and "Unsure." This variation adds a bit more nuance to the activity by offering more options for students to express their views. After each statement, students may discuss their position with peers in their corner, and they can move to a different corner if they change their stance after the discussion.
Progression:
Beginner: Start with simple, relatable statements to help students feel comfortable with the activity. For example: “Exercise is good for your health,” or “Reading books is important for learning.”
Intermediate: Gradually move to more subject-specific or complex statements. For example: “Climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity” or “Social media affects how we communicate.”
Advanced: Challenge students with more debatable and thought-provoking topics, where they’ll need to justify their stance with reasoning or evidence. For example: “Artificial intelligence will replace human jobs in the next 20 years” or “Governments should regulate online speech.”
Participants’ Feedback on Activity
Positive Aspects: Students appreciate the physical aspect of the activity, as it keeps them engaged and active. It also helps them think critically and express their opinions in a structured environment.
Challenges: Some students may feel hesitant about publicly stating their opinions, so it’s important to create a supportive environment where all perspectives are respected.
Encouraging Dialogue: The activity promotes respectful conversations where students can listen to differing opinions and practice articulating their thoughts clearly.
ASK ID 2024-12-19-004-E