If you want to kick-start a discussion then a fail-safe idea for class (and other contexts) is to play the hypothetical thinking game of ‘Would You Rather…?’
Hypothetical questions can be serious or, better still, they can be silly and just a bit of fun. Either way, they improve communication, build confidence, develop critical thinking skills and improve vocabulary.
The internet is crammed full of these questions and below are a few of my favourite ones.
- Would you rather have a golden voice or a silver tongue?
- Would you rather be covered in fur or covered in scales?
- Would you rather kiss a fish that has been living in a radioactive pond or roll down a hill while hugging a porcupine?
- Would you rather be in jail for a year or lose a year off your life?
- Would you rather be the first person to explore a planet or be the inventor of a drug that cures a deadly disease?
- Would you rather have the hearing of a bat or the eyesight of a falcon?
- Would you rather go into the past and meet your ancestors or go into the future and meet your great-great grandchildren?
- Would you rather have more time or more money?
- Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life?
- Would you rather be able to talk with the animals or speak all foreign languages?
- Would you rather be able to talk without moving your lips or see with your eyes closed?
- Would you rather win the lottery or live twice as long?
- Would you rather be Batman or Spiderman?
- Would you rather be stuck on a broken ski lift or in a broken elevator?
- Would you rather put a stop to war or end world hunger?
- Would you rather explore space or the ocean?
- Would you rather be a kid your whole life or an adult your whole life?
- Would you rather have x-ray vision or magnified hearing?
- Would you rather be stuck on an island alone or with someone who talks incessantly?
- Would you rather be an Olympic gold medalist or a Nobel Peace Prize winner?
- Would you rather have nosy neighbours or noisy neighbours?
- Would you rather spend the day with your favourite athlete or you favourite film star?
- Would you rather have telekinesis (the ability to move things with your mind) or telepathy (the ability to read minds)?
One thing is for certain, children love these and they are particularly good at inventing their own so why not share these and then encourage children to write some for themselves?
Would you rather…. questions naturally lead to children sharing ideas and considering a range of opinions which is important for respect, equality, diversity, tolerance, acceptance and inclusivity.