Alterego

Strategy Explanation: The strategy Alter-Ego is very similar to the concept of the devil and the angel on a person's shoulder. Alterego requires at least a group of three students. One person is sitting in a seat contemplating an issue or a dilemma. The other 2 students will be standing on each side of the person in the seat. They will then take on opposing views (e.g. the 'angel' or positive view, and the 'devil' or negative view). Each side will take turns making statements that encourage the decision maker to side with them. The person making the decision can verbalize their thinking or show their thoughts through facial expression. This activity could also be done with groups that represent each side of the argument or dilemma. This strategy visually demonstrates the internal battle people face when making decisions.

Cross-curricular connection: This strategy could be used in any subject area that requires making a decision. An example could be in Grade 4 Science, Habitats and Communities. When talking about eco-friendly habits, the class could debate the positives and negatives of recycling. Someone in the class could be deciding to recycle or not. One side would express reasons why you shouldn't recycle, such as convenience and time saving, whereas the other would say reasons why you should recycle such as eco-friendliness. At the end the person in the middle will make a decision about what they side with.

Differentiated Instruction: students with communication disabilities or anxiety in social situations could write their ideas on whiteboards and show it to the decision maker rather than verbally saying their idea/statement.