Some classroom activities are fun once…

And then there are the ones you find yourself using again and again.

That’s exactly how I feel about Would You Rather Slides.

At first glance, they might seem like a simple game. And honestly, that’s part of the fun! But I’ve found that a simple question can become so much more than a quick activity.

A good Would You Rather question gets students thinking. It gives them something to talk about. It can get a quiet student to share an opinion, give classmates something to laugh about, and create those little moments of connection that make a classroom feel like a community.

And the best part?

You don’t have to create an entire lesson around it.

Sometimes you just need a question on the screen and a few minutes to let the conversation happen.

Here are some of my favorite ways to use Would You Rather Slides in the classroom.

1. Start the Day With a Fun Morning Meeting Activity

Getting everyone settled and ready to learn can sometimes take a little time.

Instead of starting the day with another worksheet or jumping immediately into academics, try putting a Would You Rather question on the board.

Students can think about their answer and then share it with a partner or with the class.

The questions are intentionally simple and fun, which makes them a nice way to ease into the day.

And there’s something about starting the morning with a little laughter that can change the feeling in the room.

You might be surprised by how much students enjoy hearing everyone’s different answers.

“I would definitely choose that!”

“No way! Why would you pick that?”

“I picked the same thing!”

Suddenly, you’ve got students talking to one another before you’ve even started your first lesson.

That’s a pretty nice way to begin the day.

2. Use Them as a Quick Bell Ringer

Sometimes you need those first few minutes of class to get everyone settled.

You know the scene.

Backpacks are being put away. Someone is looking for a pencil. Someone else has a story that absolutely cannot wait. And you’re trying to get everyone focused.

A Would You Rather question can give students something to do while all of that is happening.

Project a question and let students think about their answer.

You can have them discuss it with a partner, write a quick response, or simply share their choice when you’re ready to begin.

It gives students something engaging to focus on while creating a natural transition into the lesson.

And because the activity is already prepared, there’s not much for you to manage.

Sometimes simple is exactly what we need.

3. Make Those Unexpected Extra Minutes Work for You

Every teacher knows about the mysterious five minutes.

You know the ones.

You’re waiting for the next activity.

You finished something a little earlier than expected.

Lunch is coming up, but you have just enough time to do something.

Those few minutes can sometimes feel awkward because you don’t want to start something that you’ll have to stop almost immediately.

That’s where Would You Rather Slides can be so handy.

Put a question on the screen and let students talk.

You can make it a whole-class discussion, have students turn and talk with a partner, or simply ask a few students to share their answers.

There’s no complicated setup and no long explanation.

Just a question, some opinions, and hopefully a little laughter.

And let’s be honest—having a few activities like this ready to go can make those unexpected moments in the classroom much easier.

4. Give Students a Brain Break

Sometimes students just need a break.

Not necessarily a long break.

Sometimes they just need a few minutes to reset their brains and have a little fun.

Would You Rather questions can be a great way to do that.

You can give students a few minutes to talk with a partner or invite the whole class to share their answers.

The nice thing is that students are still practicing important skills while they’re having fun.

They’re listening.

They’re taking turns.

They’re explaining their thinking.

They’re hearing different opinions.

And they’re learning that it’s okay for people to make different choices.

Plus, a little laughter can go a long way.

I’ve found that when students get a chance to reset, they’re often ready to come back to their work with a little more energy and focus.

5. Encourage Speaking and Listening Skills

One of my favorite things about Would You Rather questions is that the question itself is only the beginning.

The real value comes from what happens next.

A student chooses an answer.

Another student asks, “Why?”

Someone realizes they made the same choice.

Someone else has a completely different opinion and wants to explain it.

And just like that, you’ve created a conversation.

Students get practice sharing their thoughts and listening to someone else’s perspective.

They might explain why they chose one option, ask a follow-up question, or discover that a classmate thinks completely differently than they do.

These are such important skills, but they don’t always need to happen during a formal lesson.

Sometimes a silly question about whether you’d rather have a pet dinosaur or a pet dragon can turn into surprisingly meaningful conversation.

And I’ll take that kind of learning any day.

6. Get Everyone Talking During Open House

This is one of my favorite ways to use Would You Rather Slides because it can help take some of the awkwardness out of meeting new people.

You can project a Would You Rather question during Open House and invite families to choose an answer.

It’s an easy conversation starter.

Instead of standing around wondering what to say, everyone has an immediate topic to talk about.

Students can show their parents what they’ve been doing in class, parents can share their answers, and suddenly everyone has something to discuss.

It also gives families a little glimpse into the fun and personality of your classroom.

Sometimes it’s the simplest things that help people feel comfortable.

Why I Keep Coming Back to Would You Rather Questions

There are plenty of classroom activities that are fun. But the ones I really love are the ones that can be used in lots of different ways. That’s what makes Would You Rather Slides such a handy resource. You can use them for a morning meeting, a bell ringer, a brain break, a few unexpected minutes, or a quick conversation activity.

And underneath all that fun, students are practicing skills that matter.

They’re learning to express an opinion.

They’re listening to other people.

They’re noticing that classmates can think differently.

They’re finding things they have in common.

They’re laughing together.

And they’re building relationships.

You don’t have to turn every one of those moments into a formal SEL lesson.

Sometimes a simple question is enough to get things started.

So the next time you’re looking at the clock and thinking, “Okay…what can we do for the next five minutes?” you might already have your answer.

Put a Would You Rather question on the screen and see where the conversation takes you.

[Link to Would You Rather Slides]

And remember: your classroom doesn’t have to be filled with elaborate activities to be a fun, connected place. Sometimes the little moments—a good question, a shared laugh, or a quick conversation with a classmate—are the ones that make the biggest difference.

Your students really are lucky to have you. 💜