How to Use Would You Rather Questions

Would you rather questions help build critical thinking skills and are great for different times during the day. Grab a free set of questions here!

Here are 5 ideas on how to use would you rather questions with your students:

1. Partner Warm Up
2. Transition
3. Scoot
4. Opinion Writing
5. 4 Corners

Partner Warm Up

Put out would you rather questions before students arrive. When students walk in, they grab a question and a partner. Each partner reads his/her question and answers it by saying, “I would rather___ than ___ because ____.” When the partners have shared, they put the questions back, and start again.

Transition Activity

Display a would you rather question and have students answer it as they transition to line up or to start the next activity. For example, you say “if you would rather walk to school than ride the bus, you may line up.”

Would You Rather Scoot

Scoot is an engaging whole class game that can be played with would you rather questions!

Here’s how to prepare scoot: 

1. Gather task cards. You need at least as many cards as you have students. 
2. Decide how you want your students to move around the room during the game. Students start at one location to complete their first task card. On your  predetermined signal, they SCOOT to the next location to complete the next card. 
3. Make a recording sheet and number your cards to match your recording sheet.
4. Demonstrate how to complete the first card so the answer for card number 1 goes in answer box 1 on the recording sheet. Students do not have to complete the cards in order. 
5. Place the cards at 5-6 different locations around your room. 
6. Explain to the students how you want them to move when they hear the signal. 
7. Answer any questions and then place students at their starting spots-and SCOOT!

Opinion Writing with Would You Rather

Would you rather questions involve choosing between 2 desirable or undesirable choices. Students reflect on the choices, evaluate each option, form their opinion and support their choice. 

Four Corners

Four corners is a simple movement game that gets students moving and sharing. Identify four corners of the room as CHOICE A, CHOICE B, BOTH, NEITHER. Display a would you rather question and identify choice A and choice B. Then have students pick their answer and go to that corner. Instruct students to discuss their answers with the sentence frame: I would rather choose _____ because _____.

Read more about the benefits of would you rather questions then grab this resource and try these ideas!

Supporting you always! 💗