Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Teacher Tuesday: Would You Rather

Math class doesn't naturally lend itself toward getting to know your students as much as other classes that are more writing/journaling and/or discussion heavy but one of my very favorite "tricks" is using "Would You Rather" questions to get to know my students.  

Sometimes it's a simple ice breaker/intro at the beginning of a class period and sometimes it's what I use when teaching a lesson that is data-based.  For example, yesterday we reviewed ratios with my Pre-Algebra class and rather than giving them pictures of let's say buses and cars and having them write ratios (and equivalent ratios) of buses to cars or cars to total or that sort of thing I'll put a question up on the board, give any necessary details, poll the students and then AFTER we've used the data for our notes I'll let a few of them explain WHY they chose what they chose.  

It's so simple but so fun and has really given me better insight into lots of kids personalities.  The discussion after a question can be hilarious and kids will often email me new questions to ask.  I've also made writing their own would you rather question a bonus and given an extra point to my favorite five questions.

Here are some of my go-to questions...

Would you rather have a magic carpet or a robot?

Would you rather have hands for feet or feet for hands?

Would you rather cover yourself in peanut butter or ketchup?

Would you rather be a wizard or a superhero?

Would you rather have terrible gas all the time or burp out loud constantly?

Would you rather have the ability to disappear or become a giant?

Would you rather never play video games or never use your cell phone again?

Would you rather live without a microwave or a toaster?


Would you rather have no A/C or no heat?

Would you rather live in an amusement park or a zoo?

Would you rather be able to control the weather or talk to animals?


Would you rather be invisible or be able to read minds?

Would you rather host SNL or be the bachelor/bachelorette?

Would you rather win American Idol or America Ninja Warrior?

Would you rather eat at Chick-Fil-A or Chipotle?

Would you rather live on a sailboat or in a cabin deep in the woods?

Would you rather jump in a pool of chocolate pudding or mud?

Would you rather be bulletproof or be able to survive falls from any height?

Would you rather perform at the halftime show of the Super Bowl or play football in the Super Bowl?

Would you rather have a famous family member or be famous yourself?

Would you rather be allergic to chocolate or to bread?

Would you rather have a bubble gun that shoots giant 5-foot bubbles or a bathtub sized pile of Legos?

Would you rather have a magic carpet or a see-through submarine?

Would you rather visit the international space station for a week or stay in an underwater hotel for a week?

Would you rather have super strength or super speed?

Would you rather be a famous youtuber or a professional athlete?

Would you rather spend a week in Hawaii or Alaska?

If you're not a teacher these are fun regardless - think car trips, dinner table, lunch box notes, etc. 

HAPPY Tuesday, friends!


  1. Awesome! I use this to take attendance too! Write the question on the board or say it when everyone’s listening then when you call on students instead of saying “here” or “present,” they say their answer :)

  2. You're the most creative math teacher! What fun!

  3. I always love your classroom tips! Such fun ideas. We have a post we did recently about classroom games if you'd want to take a look!



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