During our Living and Learning session today, we created a thought tunnel which is also known as a ‘Conscience Alley’.
A ‘Conscience Alley‘ is a useful technique for exploring any kind of dilemma faced by a character, providing an opportunity to analyse a decisive moment in greater detail. The class forms two lines facing each other.
The children take on two contrasting viewpoints to provide a tunnel of thoughts for the character to travel through. The character then walks between two rows of children (the alley). Each side offers alternative advice representing the conscience of the character. At the end of the row, the character has to make a decision based on which side was more convincing.
We linked this activity to our class novel ‘Robinson Crusoe’. Here is the dilemma faced by the stranded explorer.
‘After weeks of believing he was alone, Crusoe spotted footprints in the sand. These were much larger than his own. Was there human life on this desert island? Considering his safety, Crusoe turned the idea of following the footprints around in his head. Was it a risk worth taking? His life could be at stake!’
As Robinson travelled through the alley, he was offered advice to aid his decision. He was given suggestions for going and for not going.
Here are just a few of the suggestions.
“Don’t go it may be dangerous.”
“You must explore these footprints they could help you.”
“I suggest you go but take your weapons.”
“It would be good to go as there may be food.”
“This is your one chance to freedom. You must go.”
“It’s not a good idea.”
“It could be dangerous!”
“I think you need to risk it. It may be a survivor from the ship.”
Robinsoe Crusoe decided it was a risk he needed to take. It may be his way off the island.