Call out a statement, students walk to 'agree' or 'disagree' sides of the room. Makes opinions visible and helps shy students speak up when they see others on their side.
10-30 people
10-15 minutes
Easy
Set up two signs in your room - one says 'Agree' and one says 'Disagree'. You can use tape to mark a middle spot too
Have all students stand in the middle of the room
Read a statement out loud. Students walk to the side that matches their opinion
Pick a few students from each side to explain their thinking. Your job is to listen, not talk
Move on to the next statement. Do 3-5 statements total
Agree or Disagree turns abstract opinions into physical positions that everyone can see. Read a statement—pineapple belongs on pizza, homework helps learning, morning people have it easier—and watch students vote with their feet. The magic happens after they move, when you ask them to explain why.
The quiet kid who never volunteers? She walked to “disagree” and now has three people standing next to her who feel the same way. That physical solidarity makes speaking up feel safer.
The class clown who dominates discussions? He’s one voice among many on his side now, not the center of attention. You’ll discover opinions you never knew existed in your classroom.
Classroom icebreakers, exploring different perspectives, getting students comfortable sharing opinions, movement breaks. An ice breaker game that makes invisible opinions visible through physical positioning.
Start with fun, low-stakes statements (like 'Pizza is okay for breakfast') to build trust
Mix in serious statements later to explore values and deeper thinking
Don't do more than 5 questions - keep the energy high and stop while it's still fun
You're the facilitator, not the debater. Let students do all the talking
If someone stands in the middle, that's okay - acknowledge that some issues are complex
Add a 'Strongly Agree' and 'Strongly Disagree' option for more nuance
Silent version: Students move but don't speak. Read the 'body language' of the room
Small groups: Instead of picking individuals, have each side huddle and send one spokesperson
Write it out: Students write their reasons on sticky notes before discussing
Pick a side in a fun debate like 'Mermaid vs Shark', write your best argument on a sticky note, and post it on the board. Gets quiet students participating without scary public speaking.
Call out two options and students move to different sides of the room to show their choice. Visually shows who shares your preferences and gets bodies moving.
Line up by height, birthday, or name without talking at all. Shows who naturally leads and forces creative nonverbal communication.
One team studies the other, turns around, and the other team makes small changes like rolling up sleeves or swapping positions. Tests how observant people really are.
Break the ice and foster closer relationships with our curated games.
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