Take Sides
For Middle Level & Elementary
Community Level 1 - Acquainted
Materials: Prepare a list of contrasting statements about student preferences. Here are just a few
examples:
I like to sleep late in the morning / I like to get up early
I like sweet foods / I like salty foods
I like to swim in lakes / I like to swim in pools
I eat meat / I'm a vegetarian
I like to take my time / I like to hurry
I like rainy days / I like sunny days
How to Play: Players make a circle and then come to the center to form a line. The leader calls out a
pair of statements and designates a side of the room on which players should stand to indicate their
preference. For example, "All who like rainy days go to the left. All who like sunny days stand, go to the
right." As soon as students have reached their sides they can look around to see who else is in the
group. Quickly, the leader calls out another pair of choices. In this fashion, players take a side, grouping
and regrouping themselves repeatedly. Occasionally, the caller may say, "If neither is true for you, go to
the middle." The last statement can be, "If you are a student in Ms./Mr. _________ (your name) class,
sit in a circle."
Plan for Success: Model and practice moving safely across the room. Explain that statements are
limited to two choices and students need to make a choice based on what is closest to true for them. In
some cases, both things are true to some degree, but students make a choice about which they prefer.
Variations: Later in the year, ask the students to brainstorm a list of contrasting statements to use for
this activity. *Also can be used as an active student engagement for instruction using true or false,
agree/disagree. Similar to “Voting with your Feet” – can use several corners of the room for this
application.