What are alley debates?
Sometimes known as “conscience corridor”, this activity allows a group to explore moral choices by creating lines of “angels and devils” who try to influence the decision-maker.
How does it work?
Students are divided into two groups: ‘good angels’ and ‘bad angels’. They stand in two lines, facing each other. One student (or the teacher) then walks between the lines, with good and bad angels taking it in turns to try and convince that student of their point of view. Once the student has been through the ‘conscience corridor’ they decide which side has convinced them.
Across the curriculum
This topic is especially suited to any class where you are considering ethics and choice. Perfect in RE/Philosophy, PSHCE, it can also be used to look at a character’s motivation in a key point in a text – should Macbeth kill the king? – or the choice of a historical leader.