Four or Five Corners



Objective(s) & Context

  1. Get to know each other

  2. Explore important values/attitudes for building a healthy self esteem as well as healthy relationships

 

Duration

30–45 minutes

Depends on group size

 

Group Size

10–25

 

Age Group

13 +

 

Skills

Communication, Analytical and Listening skills

 

Format(s) & Technique(s)

Small group work, large group discussion

 

Materials

Sheets of coloured paper

Flipchart

Markers

 

Facilitation Tips

  • This workshop may work better for groups that already know each other somewhat.

 

Popular Education Prompts

  • Getting to know each other is an important building block for moving forward as a group.

  • This activity allows the participants to get to know each other in a deeper way.

 

Leading the Activity: Steps to Take

Preparation:

1. Prepare ahead by writing one word (a value or attitude) on each piece of coloured paper:

 

  • Strength/Power

  • Compassion/Empathy

  • Respect

  • Equality

  • Love

 

2. Cut each piece of coloured paper into a shape. For example: the word “Love” could be cut it into the shape of a heart; “Equality” in the shape of a scale; “Strength” in the shape of a barbell, etc.

3. Post the coloured paper with the words in four or five different areas of the room.

 

Workshop:

There are three parts to this activity.

 

Part 1:

1. Decorate the room with the cut outs of words you prepared. Post the coloured paper with the words in four or five different areas of the room: if there are fewer than 15 participants, use only three of the words. The words that are not used can be included in the discussion during Part 2 of the activity.

2. Let the participants know that if they don’t feel comfortable sharing with the large group, they don’t have to, but encourage everyone to take a turn.

 

Part 2:

  1. Ask participants to briefly reflect on the values and attitudes you posted. Ask them to then go and stand by the one that they most identify with.

  1. Ask participants to introduce themselves the other participants gathered around the same value/attitude (name, grade, where they live, favourite musician/group, hobby).

  2. Give them about five minutes to discuss the reasons why they chose this particular value/attitude.

  3. Once the groups are ready, ask each participant to introduce herself to the whole group and explain the reasons for her choice.

 

Part 3:

  1. Ask participants to form a circle.

  2. Lead a large group discussion using the suggested questions listed below:

    1. Why did you choose that particular value/attitude and not another one?

    2. Are the values/attitudes posted on the wall connected in some way? Could you explain how they are?

    3. Can you have healthy love for yourself or someone else without the other values/attitudes? Could you provide some examples.

    4. Do you have any reflections or questions about these values/attitudes.
      * The questions in       italics are suggested for older participants (15 years and older).

How important is it to practice having these values and attitudes in our lives?

In what ways would it have a positive impact on us as individuals and as a group?

 

Debrief

  • Did we learn anything new about other people in the group?

  • What were the impressions of the workshop?

 

Success Indicators

Participants are:

  • Talking and laughing with the group

  • Communicating well together

  • Sharing more about themselves with the group

  • Building a healthy self-esteem and healthy relationships

 

 

Source: Equitas: International Centre for Human Rights Education, Training of Trainers – Designing and Delivering Effective Human Rights Education (Montreal, Canada: 2007, p. 13).