Around Christmas, Testing, or End of the Year, we always have those strange class schedules with 20 minutes with a class. I like to fill those times with allowing students to work on NHI assignments (missing assignments) or a game that has students putting on their thinking caps.
The Yes/No Game came about when I taught A Christmas Carol. It is a variation of the game that Scrooge’s nephew and friends were playing when the ghost of Christmas present took him to view the happenings of the season.
Instead of just using people who are close to us, I take in to account the pop culture of the time and create a bag filled with real people (athletes, famous people, teachers, and music artists), book/story characters, movie characters, cartoon characters, and sometimes their classmates (I just gauge how they feel about said classmates prior to this). I generally start the game the first time to demonstrate how to be “it” and to teach students how to play.
The game involves students in the audience asking questions (hand must be raised and they must remain seated to be called on) and the person who is currently “it” will answer those questions with a yes or no. If no one is able to answer after a few minutes of play, I will raise my hand and ask a specific question (depending on the abilities of my students) that will lead them toward better questions or knowing the answer.
Sometimes students are very apprehensive about playing, but after the excitement builds, they will generally join the game play. For students who guess the right answer and who do not want to be the new “it” (not every child likes to be in front of people, but they will participate), I allow them to choose someone to take their place. This way, they can still play, but they are not overly anxious about having to be up front.
Keep in mind accommodations. Struggling readers may need to be helped. Hints may need to be included on the paper (athlete’s sports, for example).
My selection generally starts out small, but grows throughout the day. When I hear certain guesses, I’ll add those. Or students may make suggestions. I keep this bag going through the school year to use when I have 15 minutes to spare, and it keeps behavior under control. If a slip of paper become worn from lots of game play, I’ll replace it. At the end of the year, toss the paper bag and wait to start again the next year.
Let me know if you decide to use this game and how it works for you.
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