Learning at School
ByBig Ideas Educator
The best thing about back to school would you rather questions is that they’re such an easy way to connect people of all ages together, have a laugh, or even give students a brain break in class. If you’re a no-smiling-til-December kind of teacher, you may want to skip these. Moms, if you want to break your routine of asking kids every day, “How was school?” only to have them respond with “fine,” you may LOVE these! Let’s mix it up!
You can insert them into a casual family conversation, be more formal and actually print out cards (included below), or even project one on a Google slide every day in the months of August or September for your students.
Many teachers who are using restorative practices in their classrooms love the ease of would you rather questions. It can give your shy talkers a moment of bravery. Especially if you’re using restorative circles to maintain relationships (rather than repair them), would you rather questions can be a gentle introduction.
Pssst: To see ALL of my handy would you rather questions for every season of the school year in one spot, check out this post.
Contents hide
1 What is the point of Would You Rather games?
2 How do you play Would You Rather games?
3 40 Back to School Would You Rather Questions
4 Back to School Would You Rather Google Slides for School
5 Free Back to School Would You Rather PDF
What is the point of Would You Rather games?
Would you rather games are meant to be an icebreaker or conversation starter. The right question (or series of questions) can ease an awkward group gathering for kids, create a laugh that interrupts a boring presentation, or offer a brain break for tuckered out students.
Would you rather questions are popular because they work well for people of all ages, depending on the question asked.
Looking for more? I’ve got a post with Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions and another one called Winter Break Would You Rather Questions!
How do you play Would You Rather games?
Would you rather games are super easy and customizable. You simply ask participants to choose between two comparable options. Typically, both options presented are equally desirable or awful. What makes it fun is the debate that follows, or the silly follow-up questions people ask as they try to work out which option to choose.
There are different ways to present would you rather questions:
- in casual conversation, particularly around a dinner table
- to open a discussion in a group setting
- on a stack of cards, taking turns reading them aloud – this option works well if you want students facilitating groups
- on a Google slide, which encourages kids to move to opposite sides of the room in order to choose their response
Are you thinking about teaching at a Title 1 school or sending your child to one? Here’s what it really means to be a Title 1 school.
40 Back to School Would You Rather Questions
So let’s get into it! Here are some fun ideas for your next Thanksgiving gathering. These Thanksgiving would you rather questions are a mixture of gross, embarrassing, and silly!
Would you rather…
- write with a pencil or pen?
- have two recess times or scheduled breaks, or skip the fun stuff and get out of school earlier?
- have two art classes or two music classes?
- switch schools or homeschool?
- attend public or private school?
- get a job working in your school’s main office, or work for the athletic director?
- learn more about the history of public schools in America, or learn more about education in other countries?
- learn from a book or computer?
- be class president or homecoming king/queen?
- volunteer in your school’s library, or help out one of your school’s sports teams?
- become a famous poet or famous mathematician?
- visit the zoo or aquarium on a school field trip?
- have lots of cool field trips throughout the year, or an equal number of days at home?
- read a cheesy romance novel or science fiction?
- get an awesome new pair of shoes while back to school shopping, or get a new backpack?
- skip school for a week to go to Disney world, or skip school for a week-long cruise?
- walk home or ride a bus? (assuming same travel time?)
- go to school for one day wearing a swimsuit (you’re the only one), or wear an outfit that doesn’t match at all?
- get in big trouble at school and have your parents not find out, or get in trouble at home?
- have a school mascot that’s super silly and original (like the Savannah Bananas), or have a boring, overused school mascot?
- start a somewhat successful Tiktok account that teaches kids how to be successful in school, or have a viral Tiktok account that challenges kids to do stuff that will get them in trouble?
- make all As but not participate in extracurriculars, or make all Bs and do lots of school activities?
- have a reputation for being the most stylish or the most athletic?
- be a good friend to just one person, or have lots of friends but start a lot of drama?
- be gifted in math and science, or gifted in reading and writing?
- eat the cafeteria’s hot lunch every single day (and get variety in your meals), or eat the same cold lunchbox meal every day for a year?
- eat your hamburger dry, or with 10 toppings of your choice?
- wear stripes every single day or polka dots?
- have an amazing singing voice and win an awards show on t.v. or earn a scholarship for your dancing?
- be too busy during the school year and tired, or get bored because you just sit around and watch Youtube?
- watch football or play football?
- live in a part of the country where the whole town in obsessed with football, or live somewhere that’s into hockey?
- dress preppy or sporty?
- plant a gorgeous flower garden the whole neighborhood enjoys, or plant a veggie garden that feeds your family?
- shop at the farmer’s market and make it a whole experience, or do a quick grocery pick-up from the supermarket?
- take piano or golf lessons?
- wake up early to do homework or stay up late?
- do the right thing and get blamed for something you didn’t do, or do something bad and not get caught?
- color with markers or colored pencils?
- have a 40 minute lunch period or start school 20 minutes later?
- sing the national anthem through the speakers during your school’s morning announcements, or recite poetry that you wrote yourself?
Check out my first grade readiness checklist!
Back to School Would You Rather Google Slides for School
If you’re looking to use back to school would you rather questions as a brain break for your students, this little slide presentation is your best friend! Just click the button below to see the slides for purchase on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Free Back to School Would You Rather PDF
This PDF will work perfectly if you just want to open a youth group meeting with a few questions, or with older kids who don’t need the visual cues available on a Google slide. This is your low-tech option! It’s just a simple list of 40 back to school would you rather questions.
Need more? Here are 20 great gratitude activities for kids!
