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Saturday, January 31, 2015

Would You Rather...

I have been a Would You Rather... addict for years and used the open-ended questions frequently in the classroom.  The questions are ideal for icebreakers, opinion writing prompts, problem solving, and simply discourse starters.  I recently revived my obsession in an effort to "trick" my 9 year old son to read and converse with us.  He is a digital native and is perpetually consumed with electronic devices.  We have had several amazing evenings giggling and sharing our random opinions.   I want to share some of my favorite resources for using the game at home and school.

 

Purchased Games...

Card Game Version (Target)

Board Game Version (Toys R Us)
The game can be purchased by families and used to trick their children into reading too. (I purchased a set for the house and the car.)  The board game version is for more adults and teens. Although, I played it with our 8 and 9 year old and did not run into any questionable content, yet.  The content of the card game (right) is for children (8+).

Our school is using the Weekly Reading Inventory and the game could be used for the following "homework" options (and more):
"Play reading games..."
"Read in planes, trains, or automobiles"
"Read to a parent or guardian"
"Read at the park"



Math...(Free Resources)

I suggest using Would You Rather in the math classroom too!  I was first introduced to the idea from Donna Boucher's blog. She wrote an amazing piece about using the questions for comparison subtraction and having students physically moving to the sides of the room.  Students literally take a stand and move to the corner of his/her choice! Such an easy way to get students out of their seats and model mathematics!
Math Coach's Corner

Also, check out John Stevens' blog that is loaded with free annotated pictures and intermediate scenarios!  Here's one quick sample...

https://wyrmath.wordpress.com/
The structure of the Would You Rather... game facilitates multiple math practices!
  • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
  • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
  • Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

Imitate and innovate your own problems! I created this after Halloween shopping!
10 for $1.99  or  24 for $3.00

 

Reading and Writing...  (Free Resources)

The Common Core State Standards expect elementary students to write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic, state an opinion, supply reasons and information for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure. The Would You Rather format is a wonderful format to peek interest and provide repeated practice.

Rachel Lynette has published several free sets of questions for the various holidays and certain books. Download, print, pin, or save all of these:

Free Would You Rather Questions for Kids by Rachel Lynette
Free Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions
Free Christmas Would You Rather Questions
Free St. Patrick's Would You Rather Questions 
Free End of School & Summer Would You Rather Questions
"Harry Potter" Free Would You Rather Questions


Do you have other Would You Rather resources to share?  Please share in the comments below!

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