Strategy
Line of Continuum
Physical Barometer, Take A Stand, Student Barometer, Human Continuum
UDL 4.1
UDL 8.3
A Line of Continuum is a discussion strategy where students demonstrate a wide range of opinions about a topic by physically distributing themselves in correspondence with their opinion (e.g., creating a line or a U-shape). First, the teacher designates two areas in the room that represent opposing responses (e.g., strongly agree/disagree, overjoyed/heartbroken, two characters from a novel) and degrees of intensity between them (e.g. agree/neutral/disagree, happy/neutral/sad). After deliberating, students can choose to stand on the far end of either side of the continuum based on the intensity of their opinion or can remain in the middle if they are unsure or neutral. While lined up, students discuss the topic with a partner or the entire class and are encouraged to defend their stance by using evidence. The physical movement required in this strategy gives students an opportunity to share silently and the continuum aspect provides opportunities for students to see opinions are complex and diverse rather than right and wrong.