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The “Would You Rather…?” strategy is a precursor to Philosophical Chairs and a great student talk strategy for primary grades. The teacher offers 2 different choices and each student must indicate their preferred opinion. By incorporating opportunities for students to formulate opinions and safely dialogue about differing points of view, students will develop skills that support their ability to reason and think critically.
HANDOUTS and RESOURCES:
SET UP:
In advance, determine how to divide your space for designated “sides”
STEPS:
INTRODUCE THE ACTIVITY: explain that students will engage in an activity where they will be given a choice between two options.
MODEL AN EXAMPLE: “Would you rather have a pet dog or cat?”
CLASS BRAINSTORMING: As a class, have students brainstorm reasons why they would choose one option over the other. Example reasons: dogs play fetch, bark if intruder, take them for walks, etc. Cats curl up on your lap, you don’t need to clean up after them, they are quieter, etc.
GENERATE OPINIONS: Give students “think time” to generate an opinion.
CREATE AND/OR REVIEW NORMS: “Track the Speaker”, for example.
GIVE NECESSARY SUPPORTS: Create a sentence frame that can be seen from all areas of the room (“I think dogs/cats make better pets because_____”. )
FACILITATE: Have students move to opposite sides of the room. Allow students to practice with someone on their side of the room. Then students pair up with someone on the opposite side with a differing opinion and share their opinion.
ENCOURAGE SHARING AND REFLECTION: Ask students to share a really good reason that the other student gave. Occasionally ask students if they changed their minds and, if so, why.
DEBRIEF: Conclude with a debrief about what went well and what could be improved.
SCAFFOLDS:
Once students have selected a side, allow them to discuss some common reasons to support their claim before discussing with the other side.
Display a sentence frame.
Begin with non-academic topics and then move into curriculum-based topics.
EXTENSIONS:
After exposure to this strategy, consider Philosophical Chairs as a next step.
TOPICS:
Eat only... Pizza or Hotdogs
Spend the day... Shoveling snow or Raking leaves
Be able to... Change the past or See the future
Have a pet... Giraffe or Elephant
Spend the day... In the snow or On the beach
Be a... Police officer or Firefighter
Be in a pool of... Marshmallows or Chocolate
Spend the day... Inside the house or Outside the house
Play... Guitar or Drums
Be a great... Dancer or Singer
Be a... Racecar driver or Pilot
Stop... War or World hunger
Be the one who... Hides or Seeks
Spend the rest of your life as... A wolf or An owl
Work... In a group or Alone
Be... Spiderman or Superman
Eat... Nothing but meat or No meat at all
Have no... Electricity or Running water
Be... An actor/actress or A rock star
Stop... Animal abuse or Pollution
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