Kids enjoy this game ANYTIME.

It’s especially great to play when you’re introducing a new topic of study because the students can write questions that they have about the topic.

Common Core State Standards

Also, this game can address the following Common Core Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1, L.K.1.D, L.K.1.F, L.K.2, L.K.2.B, L.1.1, L.1.2, L.1.2.B, L.2.2, L.2.2, L.3.1, L.3.2, L.4.1, L.4.2, L.4.2.A, L.5.1, L.5.2, RF.K.1.C and RF.1.1.A

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Magnetic Spinner

You will need a magnetic spinner* for this game.

(If you haven’t read my full post on the winner spinner you won’t want to miss it!  It gives you a long list of game ideas that are so easy to run and super fun for the kids.  Check out the full post here.)

Setting Up the Game

To set the game up, draw a circle on the white board, chalk board (or smart board).   Divide the circle into 4 sections and number each section 4, 5, 6, and 7.

To play, a student spins a number.  The students then write a question that has the number spun of words in the question.  Number 4 means they write a question with 4 words and so on.

Smaller Groups

For smaller groups (up to 8) I divide a large whiteboard into 4 sections.  A pair is assigned to each section.

Larger Groups

For larger groups, or if I don’t have a classroom whiteboard, I divide the group into pairs.  I give each pair a small white board, dry erase marker and a sock to serve as an eraser.  You can buy a class pack on Amazon*.

 

Now to Play!

I tell the children the topic we’re focusing on (lemurs, wild cats, whatever topic you’re working on!!)

One child spins.  One partner takes a turn writing a question about the topic.  The question can be serious or silly!

Earning Points

In order to earn a point, the question has to have a capital letter, spacing, correct spelling and a question mark.  Once they’ve completed their question, they don’t say anything.  They just hold up their white board.

Or they turn and look.

I look at their question.

If there is one mistake, I hold up 1 finger.  For 2 mistakes, 2 fingers, 3 mistakes, 3 fingers, 4 mistakes, 4 fingers.  If there are no mistakes, I give them a thumbs up and they tally a point.

When students have a mistake they continue to correct the question  until I give them a thumbs up.

Writers who get a thumbs up right away can continue writing new questions, earning more points, until all writers have completed their one question.

Once each pair has correctly written a question, we move onto the next turn.  We usually continue play until we’ve landed on and used all 4 numbers or until the time allotted runs out!

Print the Instructions

Here are the instructions for you to print out and use.

We often play this game after playing Question Words-1,2,3.