What Do You Think?

As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, my students love to share their opinions. They appreciate that what they have to say is valued and affirmed. Standardized testing has burdened their creativity and they crave success instead of a “right” answer. So, I figured it would be a nice present to reward their hard work and determined efforts during state testing (and it sort of went along with our “social issues” writing unit). I created an activity where I posed a question and students could share their opinion. I called it, “What Do You Think?” I also created Smart Board slides to aid in the execution of the game.

Here were the instructions:

• The teacher will pose a question
• Silently stand to the left hand side of the room for YES
• Silently stand to the right hand side of the room for NO
• When the teacher says “DISCUSS!” begin talking with your like-minded peers to come up with 3 reasons to support your Yes/No
• When the teacher says “SHARE!”  a leader will share out the group response
• Reset to original place in the room and repeat with new a teacher question

(There were 2 questions that were not yes/no but I thought the kids would have a great time answering them so I included them in the game)

Here the kiddos came together to share their ideas and respectfully listen to their peers’ reasons for their opinion. It was a powerful moment to watch students become stronger as a unified group than standing alone. They fueled each others’ argument and stood united together. What a great moment in time!

Below are the questions and the overall student response for the Yes and No group. I have added my commentary in bold after each response.

1. Would you borrow money from a friend? Why/Why Not?

Yes-  you can always repay them

No- that person might want the money back

This question is extremely relevant to 8 year olds. They pass around money like its candy. Sometimes they do not realize the value of the money they are exchanging (mostly because it belongs to their parents!). My class was about 50-50 on this question as I thought they might be. It seemed as with most things that “it depends” on who you’re giving money to and how much money you are giving.

2. Would you rather have good looks or intelligence? Why/Why Not?

100% intelligence- it doesn’t matter what you look like, it matters the type of person you are

This is one of those questions that is not Yes/No, but I felt I had to include it. Many times students put a lot of emphasis on looking good. This group of kids are not quite at that phase yet (thank god!), so it did not surprise me that 100% said intelligence. They may value good looks but its not #1 on their list- another blessing!

3. Do you think it is fair to keep animals in a zoo? Why/Why Not?

Yes- if they are endangered they need to be protected from hunters and predators

No- they should be free and not be held in captivity

I really like this question. We talk a lot about endangered and extinct animals in third grade so students had a lot of background knowledge to develop their opinion on this topic. Both sides of the topic had great support for their thinking. I found myself on the fence with this one.

4. Do you think grades are a true indication of intelligence? Why/Why Not?

Yes- if you perform well on a test you are smart

No- the smartest people may not be good test takers

Grades are the nemesis of third graders. This is the first year they are faced with real grades, grades that count, and an end of the year test that determines if they continue on their path to fourth grade or remain in third for one more year. One of the rules stated was to be silent during this activity. Well, this question had a lot of “hmph,” “ugh” and rolling eye balls. I don’t blame them. Grades are stressful. But, I was surprised with all that whining and complaining that some people said Yes! (Yes, it was the higher performing students too… don’t think I didn’t scope that out!) I would agree with the No group because I feel like I have become successful throughout my life so far. However, I too was a poor test taker. I am unsure how my life would be different if I had been a great test taker, but it doesn’t matter. I like my journey just the way it is.

5. Do you think it would be more difficult to be blind or deaf? Why/Why Not?

Blind- you could severely injure yourself if you cannot see where you are going

Deaf-  at least you can still communicate through sign language

This is the second rule-breaking question. But it’s another question that really makes you think. Many students swapped sides of the room as they truly thought through this question. I think I would rather not hear than miss out on the beautiful sights in this world (oh, and I can see their point in safety too!).

6. Do you think people should be allowed to hunt wild animals? Why/Why Not?

Yes- people need to eat food

No- protect the animals

This is similar to the zoo question in that we must be mindful of what we are doing with animals and why we are doing it. This is a catch 22 question. We have to kill some animals so we can eat (or we can all become vegetarian, but I surely love meat!), but we must protect them at the same time. I guess as long as we keep our ecosystem in balance all will be well in the world!

7. Do you think professional sports teams should have men and women playing together? Why/Why Not?

Yes- equality for all, this is a democracy

No- boys are stronger than girls and they could get hurt

Hmm… I am unsure how I feel about this question. I am all for equal rights and we have hit that topic over and over again this year. To be honest a lot of my girls did not want to play with the boys. They wanted to become great athletes with other girls. They felt boys played too rough and did not allow them to really get good at something. I see their point. Maybe the option of playing co-ed is better than a mandate. This way boys can choose if they want to participate on a  team with girls and girls can choose if they want to participate on a  team with boys.

8. Do you think neatness should count on homework assignments? Why/Why Not?

Yes- the teacher cannot grade the assignment if it is not neat  “I’m guilty of this offense”

No- good ideas and smarts don’t have to be written neatly

A resounding YES!! Ugh, neatness and spelling are atrocious. Students prefer to type assignments which expedites the process and makes my life easier; however, they are not really learning their lesson and perfecting their craft. Technology makes life easier, but does not enhance our basic skill sets.

9. Do you think parents should have to earn a “Parent’s License” before having children?

(Extra: What questions should be on the test?) Why/Why Not?

Yes- parents need to know how to care for their young

No- teen moms can just learn from their parents

Haha this question cracked me up! This generation of teen moms has made it look easy. I wondered where my students’ opinions fell on this topic, so … I asked! A lot of students felt parents needed to know what they are doing first. I appreciate their recognition of this difficult job. I was surprised by how many students felt that you can just watch the elders and figure it out. I mean, this is of course how things are done currently, but I think a parenting class is not only a great idea but should be a requirement. Many new parents buy lots of books and search online for the answers to their questions. That is a great way to start!

10. Should third graders be allowed to vote for President? Why/Why Not?

Yes- equal rights

No- third graders do not know enough to vote

Oh goodness did I open a can of worms here! Students were furiously pointing at one another (remember the silent rule?!) to demand they stand united on this issue. I sat back and laughed. I don’t see this happening in my lifetime, but it could be possible. I appreciate the passionate students that felt we all need to stand up for our opinions, but I loved even more the little boy that said, “are you kidding me? We don’t know what we’re doing. That’s a horrible idea.” 🙂    (how quickly that would change if I asked you if you should be allowed to drive!)

I then had students sit at their seats and reflect. In their notebooks they answered the following questions:

1. Which question during this activity really gave you the most feelings/thoughts? Why?
2.  If you could ask your own Yes/No question to the class, what would it be? Why?

Here are some responses:

Extinction- great animal lover here!

This child sure knows a lot about drinking. Hmm?

True- is it fair to the president if students vote mirroring their parents’ vote or just based on who seems the “coolest?” And is it fair that third graders could vote but second graders couldn’t? Great point!

I like that this student took a double stance on the issue of animals being placed in zoos. I love the vocabulary of the “zoologist” and the background knowledge of many animals being released once they are healthy. I do appreciate the reality of people making mistakes and it could be unhealthy to the animals in the zoos.

If I were to do this again, I would provide students time to script their opinion before moving to the group discussion. This would allow “think time” and increase accountability and participation. I would also mark the sides of the room left (yes) right (no) as students kept mixing up the sides and switching when they realized the discussion did not match their opinion.

How do you encourage students to express and support their opinion on a topic?