Theatre Education: A Resource of Practical and Project-Based Warm-ups/Theatre Games for K-12

Values Clarification

Where we learned it: Creative Drama at NU
Ages: 4th grade and up
Materials: One “yes” sign and one “no” sign, paper, pencils/pens

Process:

1. Post the “yes” sign on one side of the room and the “no” sign on the other side.
2. Hand out paper and pencils/pens and ask the students to write down at least two statements that touch on an issue they feel strongly about (e.g., “Homosexual marriage should be legalized” or “Sometimes violence is the only option” or “Protecting the environment should be our number one priority”).  The statements should be written in the affirmative (e.g., Instead of “I don’t believe in abortion,” write, “I think abortion is wrong”).
3. Collect the papers and ask the students to stand somewhere between the two signs.
4. Explain that there is now a continuum between the two signs with 100% yes at the “yes” sign, 100% no at the “no” sign, no opinion at the middle and a range of options in between.  When you read a statement, the students will silently move to the position that represents their opinion.
5. Before you begin reading statements, emphasize that this is an individual activity and each student should move to where she believes even if she is the only one in that space.  Stress that this activity is about respecting the different opinions we have and that no one should comment on where someone is standing.
6. Read the statements.  Remind students to stay silent and thinking about themselves.
7. If desired, process the activity at the end by asking the students if they made new discoveries about themselves.

Variations:

• Write the statements yourself.  Do this if you want to explore a specific theme or arrange the statements in a certain manner.
• After reading a statement, give students the option to state why they are standing where they are.  Be sure to hear from people in a variety of locations and to allow anyone who wants to share their thoughts have a chance to speak before reading the next statement.  Remind them to respond to the statement and not to the thoughts expressed by others.