¡4 Rincones!

Using 4 corners en la clase de espanol:

    

I was recently reflecting how often I use the game "Four Corners" in my classroom. If you are not familiar with this game, it is a popular and fun Morning Meeting game that gets everyone up and out of their seats.

*How to play: One student is chosen to be the counter. They will close their eyes and count out loud up to 10 in Spanish, while the rest of the class walks to one of the 4 corners. The counter will then choose one of the four corners with their eyes closed. Anyone in the named corner must sit down. The game will continue until one student is left.The winner then becomes the next "counter".  I have the winner write their name on our whiteboard so I remember!

How does this game work in the world language class?

This game is best for introducing and practicing new vocabulary. Students will see the word/visual posted in the corner and will have to make a conscious choice to go there, which helps them to internalize the word.They also hear the words said over and over again (in the beginning, I will tell the counter the 4 choices each round).  The game also helps reinforce classroom vocabulary and commands like "Caminen" (walk) and "Silencio". Most of my student enjoy the game and do not think of it as learning! Any chance to get students learning while out of their seats is a bonus.

Some Variations:

Numbers: Why stop at 4?

As first graders learn their numbers, I keep changing the corner labels. I use sheet protectors and will keep slipping in a new paper with higher and higher numbers. We start with labels 5, 6, 7, 8 and then 9, 10, 11, 12 and keep going up to 20. This game helps to learn those tricky teen numbers and later on 0, 10, 20, 30. You can also have students count up to 15 instead of 10. 

4 Cuartos (a.k.a- Four Corners Edición de casa)

We imagine the classroom es una casa and put up the room labels around the classroom. (sometime I add 2 extra walls in addition to the corners so that students can learn "las escaleras" and "el comedor").  The one twist I add is that I give students a choice of action they must do while they are "in" that room. For example: for el baño, students have to act out brushing their teeth or washing their hair and in la cocina, eating a sandwich or cooking. Students usually get a kick out of being in "el baño"!

4 estaciones: 4 Seasons Game

After I teach the 4 seasons, I count them (uno, dos, tres, cuatro) and then begin counting the 4 corners (uno, dos, tres, cuatro).  Students know right away what I am thinking... The counter will say the 12 months of the year this time, instead of counting to 10. After students are out, they help the counter say the months. Sometimes, I have students act out a deporte (sport) that is popular during that corner's season.

4 Puntos Cardinales: Cardinal and Intermediate Directions

I usually label the actual directions in my classroom, which turn out to be in the center of each wall. Instead, students will go to the middle of the wall  instead of the corner. We play 4 rincones  (corners) once students have learned noreste, noroeste, suroeste and sureste. 

To teach the layers of the Rain Forest:

In this version students can move like rain forest animales as they go from corner to corner or show the movement of an animal that lives in that part of the rain forest.

*More ways to get students using language:

About the counter: of course, I like to give as many students an opportunity to speak as possible. Sometimes I alternate the counter so that each round a new counter counts and chooses a corner. I also ask students who are out to say the numbers or months with the counter. Once students are comfortable with the vocabulary, I have students tell the counter the choices of corner names.