Remind students of the norms they just created before starting this activity. Explain to students that they will be participating in a decision‐making activity in which they will have an opportunity to share their opinions with others. Emphasize the importance of respectful communication and active listening during the activity.
Ask students to define “Disagree,” “Neutral,” and “Agree.”
Students should all be sitting in their chairs. Read aloud statements from the prepared list or create a list more appropriate for your class. After each statement, students should silently decide where they stand on the continuum based on their agreement or disagreement.
Once students have chosen their positions, allow them to move to the appropriate place on the continuum. Encourage students to find their positions in silence and refrain from debating with others. After everyone has chosen their positions, invite a few volunteers to calmly explain why they placed themselves where they did.
Encourage students to share diverse perspectives. As students participate and move around, if things get too rambunctious, ask them to go back to their seats for a quiet 30‐second break before continuing. You can stop the decision‐making activity at any time as long as students have had a chance to move and comment if they wish. Monitor the activity to ensure that students are respecting each other’s opinions and maintaining a respectful atmosphere.
Encourage participation from all students by inviting different voices to share their perspectives. Adapt the discussion based on the maturity level and comfort of the students. Emphasize the value of active listening and understanding differing viewpoints. At the end, be sure to thank students for participating and ask students to thank each other for sharing in class.