Looking for an easy, engaging way to get your CNA or Patient Care Technician students up and moving while reinforcing key concepts? Let me introduce you to one of my favorite go-to teaching strategies…
4 Corners!
If you’ve never tried it before, 4 Corners is a low-prep, high-impact activity that combines movement, collaboration, and critical thinking—all things our adult learners and future healthcare professionals thrive on.
What Is “4 Corners”?
The concept is simple…
Label each corner of your classroom with a different answer option (A, B, C, and D). You pose a multiple-choice question, and students walk to the corner that represents their answer.
Once there, they discuss with others why they chose that option. After revealing the correct answer, you can invite a few students to share their reasoning aloud.
Not only does it get students actively thinking about content, but it also:
- Encourages peer learning and respectful discussion
- Supports different learning styles (especially kinesthetic and social learners!)
- Gives you a quick pulse check on class understanding
It’s perfect for topics that are sometimes challenging, emotionally complex, or full of rules—like infection control, communication, or even end-of-life care.
How to Set Up a 4 Corners Activity in Your CNA or PCT Class:
- Create or prep your questions. Use multiple-choice questions from your lesson, textbook, or create new ones that hit your learning objectives.
- Label the corners. Hang signs labeled A, B, C, and D in the corners of your classroom.
- Read a question aloud. Give students a few seconds to think it over.
- Students walk to their chosen answer. Once there, they discuss with others who chose the same response.
- Review the correct answer. Offer clarification or invite students to explain their thought process.
- Repeat! This works great with about 10–15 questions depending on your time.
Bonus tip: Want to level it up? Turn it into a competition between rounds or give points for correct answers.
Try a Twist: 5 Corners Activities
If you love 4 Corners, you’ll want to check out my 5 Corners resources on Teachers Pay Teachers! These are designed specifically for CNA and PCT students and go a step further by including five choices (instead of four) to promote deeper thinking.
Here are two you might love:
🔹 5 Corners: Death and Dying – Stages of Grief
Help students explore the emotional and psychological stages of grief in a way that’s interactive, respectful, and discussion-based.
🔹 5 Corners: Determine the Precaution – Infection Control Edition
Students read scenarios and walk to the corner that matches the correct transmission-based precaution. Great for reinforcing Standard, Contact, Droplet, and Airborne precautions.
Whether you use 4 Corners or one of the enhanced 5 Corners resources, you’ll be amazed at how much learning can happen without another worksheet.
The energy goes up, students remember more, and you get to see critical thinking in action.
Let me know if you try it—I’d love to hear how it goes in your classroom!
Looking for Print & Go Activities for Your Training Program? Click the Picture Below to Shop!
