Continuums
Target Themes: Our Space, Celebrating Differences, Building Relationships, Community
Supplies: A prepared list of topics or statements, tape and signs (optional)
Before you begin, make sure you have a large space that is clear of obstructions so people can move around the room easily. Make a line out of tape on the floor down the middle of the room. Label the length of tape with the following: strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree, in a continuum (i.e. strongly agree and strongly disagree at opposite ends). Have the group stand in the middle of the room or in front of the line and explain that you will read a series of statements and each person must place themselves on the line according to their level of agreement/disagreement with the statement. They should move without talking. Ask if there are any questions and then begin by reading the first statement. When everyone has found their place on the continuum give participants a chance to share their opinions, making sure to hear from different places along the line. Make sure to remind participants that they may not judge other people’s ideas. After a few minutes, move on to the next statement. Continue until all the statements have been read.
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Debriefing Tips: Talk about the range of opinions heard, using specific examples if possible, and what it was like to move along the continuum.
Variations: Instead of using a line, label the four corners of the room with strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree and have participants go the corner that represents their opinion.
Or: Have participants break into only two groups, agree or disagree, and have the groups engage in short discussions about why they chose to agree or disagree. Then share with the larger group. In debriefing, talk about how it feels to have to make a black and white decision with no shades of gray.
Sample Statements:
Supplies: A prepared list of topics or statements, tape and signs (optional)
Before you begin, make sure you have a large space that is clear of obstructions so people can move around the room easily. Make a line out of tape on the floor down the middle of the room. Label the length of tape with the following: strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree, in a continuum (i.e. strongly agree and strongly disagree at opposite ends). Have the group stand in the middle of the room or in front of the line and explain that you will read a series of statements and each person must place themselves on the line according to their level of agreement/disagreement with the statement. They should move without talking. Ask if there are any questions and then begin by reading the first statement. When everyone has found their place on the continuum give participants a chance to share their opinions, making sure to hear from different places along the line. Make sure to remind participants that they may not judge other people’s ideas. After a few minutes, move on to the next statement. Continue until all the statements have been read.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Debriefing Tips: Talk about the range of opinions heard, using specific examples if possible, and what it was like to move along the continuum.
Variations: Instead of using a line, label the four corners of the room with strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree and have participants go the corner that represents their opinion.
Or: Have participants break into only two groups, agree or disagree, and have the groups engage in short discussions about why they chose to agree or disagree. Then share with the larger group. In debriefing, talk about how it feels to have to make a black and white decision with no shades of gray.
Sample Statements:
- Young men have been systematically conditioned to be violent
- Women are less violent than men.
- I share the same race or ethnicity as many of my teachers
- Poverty is a form of violence
- Guns symbolize power and control
- Guns are a way for young people to have power
- Adults in my life are good models of conflict resolution
- Oppression only havens to non-white people
- Violence is a learned behavior
- Conflict can be a positive thing
- Adults understand what it is like to be a young peons today
- Society discriminates against people of different religions
- It is hard to be an immigrant in this country
- People of African descent are represented on TV as bright, capable, and resourceful, people
- It is difficult to sit in the room and be the only person who is… (white/black/short/gay/in a wheelchair etc.)
- I believe that my vote matters
- The quality of education depends on a person’s income
- I can walk down the street holding the hand of the person I love without a negative reaction from other people.
Scroll Down for Description and Debriefing Guide.