Four Corners – Where Does the Money Go?

Educator Toolkit: Peoples Guide to the Federal Budget

Activity Type: Group/Individual
Chapter: 2
Objective: Students will be able to articulate a position on federal spending (verbally and in writing).
Description:

A Four Corners activity is generally used as a lesson activator.

Print the four following statements and post one in each corner of the classroom:

Strongly Agree
Simply Agree
Strongly Disagree
Simply Disagree

The teacher or a student leader will read a posted statement to the class (see below).
After the statement is read, all students will move to one of the four corners of the room based on their reaction and opinion. No one may stand in the middle; everyone must take a position. Students should be given no more than 30 seconds to make their decision.
Once all students are in a corner, the teacher or student leader asks students (some or all) why they chose their position. Only one student at a time may speak. After everyone speaks, the teacher or student leader asks if anyone wants to change position.
Discussion follows if students change corners.

Sample Statements:

The federal government should increase foreign aid.
The federal government should increase military spending.
The federal government should eliminate food stamps.
Earmarks should be eliminated.
The federal government should help fund local and state governments.
The federal government should eliminate unemployment insurance.
The federal government should increase public school funding.

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