Focus & Calm8 min Medium None

Question Tennis

Pairs can only communicate in questions — back and forth like a rally.

Forces students to think before they speak and to listen carefully to what was actually asked.

Instructions

In pairs. They must have a conversation using only questions — no statements allowed. If someone makes a statement or pauses for more than 3 seconds, the other person wins that point. Play to 5 points. Then switch partners and topic. Debrief: what made it hard to stop yourself from making statements?

Classroom timer

8:00

Best used when

Before Socratic seminars or any discussion requiring careful listening and precise questioning.

Variation

The questions must all relate to a specific topic from the current lesson.

Time

8 min

Noise

Medium

Prep

None

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How did it go?

Quick evaluation — helps you find what works again.