Values Line Aims: To get children to discuss their views, come to an agreement in a group, represent the groups views, make a presentation, think about the issues of representing the views of a group. Time: 35‐45 minutes Group Size: smaller the groups the better for allowing everyone to contribute, but the reporting back will take too long if too many groups (ten at most). Needs: masking tape, a space for children to stand in a line facing the conference, a flip chart with large marker and volunteer. Description: In an area facing the conference ask for a volunteer to stand on your tape, as you explain that you are creating a ‘values line’ stick a line of tape across the floor. At the positive end make a plus shape on the floor with your tape, and at the other end make a negative sign. You expain that where they stand on the line represents a different view. You can use a humorous example, like Marmite (the advert, either you love it or hate it!). (3 minutes) The students in groups must decide where their representative should stand on the line once they are given a statement (eg primary school children should have a voice in local government; the council should charge more money for people parking their cars in Tower Hamlets; there should be more public benches in Tower Hamlets). (10‐5 minutes) After 10 (should be less after their first go, 5) minutes to discuss and decide where their representative should stand they are all called up to stand on the line. They are interviewed about where they are standing and why. After each person they are asked which group are they representing and that group is asked for feedback (did the person represent the group fairly? Was anyone’s view not included?) (10 minutes) The representatives go back to their groups and a new statement is discussed with a different representative going to the line. Instructions to give out: 1. This is called a values line. This is the positive end and this is the negative end. 2. I will make a statement and you will need to think where on the line you would stand. For example we could look at Marmite and do you like it. If you like it a lot, you eat it everyday, you bathe in it… then you stand on the positive end. But if you hate it and can’t stay in the same room where someone is eating it then you stand on the negative end. If you don’t mind it then you can stand in the middle. 3. In your groups you should discuss where you would stand on the line, decide as a group where, and then have a representative who will stand on the line for the group and will need to be ready to explain where they are standing and why. 4. Right, send your representative to stand on the line. Are all the reps here? Let’s start at the negative end. Where are you standing and why?... which is your group? Has he/she represented you well? Is there anyone who feels their view was not represented? 5. (after all the groups have been interviewed) Back to your groups and we will do another line.