Agree Disagree

Peer relationships are important to children. Building positive relationships and getting along with other children requires acknowledging differences of opinion so that children can agree and disagree without conflict. This activity helps children to practice acknowledging differences of opinion, and explores why individuals think as they do.

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Links to Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes

  • Through contributing my views, time and talents, I play a part in bringing about positive change in my school and wider community. HWB 2-13a / HWB 3-13a
  • I value the opportunities I am given to make friends and be part of a group in a range of situations. HWB 2-14a / HWB 3-14a

Learning Intentions

  • Learners understand that their opinions might differ from others.
  • Learners define and justify their opinion on certain topics.

Duration

25 minutes for making props.
20 minutes for playing the game.

What You Need

  • Paper plates (one per child)
  • Lollipop sticks (one per child)
  • Sticky tape
  • Colouring Pens

Activity

Activity 1 – Praise Poems

Making the agree/ disagree props

Hand out a lollipop stick and paper plate to each child, along with sticky tape. They should fasten the stick to the plate, so they can use the stick to hold the mask in front of their face. Next, ask the children to draw a happy face on one side of the paper plate and an unhappy face on the other side. The children can spend time personalising their mask, if they wish

Playing the game

Choose different statements that may generate a variety of responses. When you have said the statement, ask the children to show whether they agree or disagree by turning their mask to the side that best reflects their answer. It is a good idea to start with a few ‘fun’ controversial statements such as:

  • “Every child knows about children’s rights.”
  • “Winter is the best time of the year.”
  • “Pizza is better than ice cream.”

Ask children to share why they agree or disagree with the statement. If you find a statement that divides the class roughly into two, you can ask each child to find someone with a conflicting opinion. Encourage the children to discuss their differences and similarities on this issue.

This activity can be used to explore children’s views on lots of issues or themes. For example, it could be used to explore their views on learning at school:

  • “Playing outside is better than playing inside.”
  • “Children should not wear school uniform.”
  • “Children should have more choice about what they get to learn at school.”

Once played a couple of times, you can invite the children to come up with their own ideas for statements.

Click the button for a printable activity plan.

Agree disagree (Activity plan)Download