20 Questions
Anyone who has ever endured a long road trip has probably played 20 Questions, but have you ever used it in the classroom? “Is it a person? Is it bigger than a shoebox? Does it smell like a wet puppy? Is it you?” This classic car game is a fun and interactive way to practice deductive reasoning and questioning skills. It’s also a creative way to review course content and to work on cooperative learning. “So, in 20 questions or less…”
Goals: To improve student’s questioning and deductive reasoning skills.
Driving Question: What’s the best question for the right answer?
Materials: Paper and markers
Procedure:
1. Break the class into groups of three to four learners (It can be done individually.).
2. Have the groups select persons, places, or things from their studies (Winston Churchill in Social Studies, The Grapes of Wrath in Language Arts, inertia in Science…) and write them on an index card or sheet of paper.
3. Choose a group to begin (I like to use a related “trivial” question or “fun fact” to decide…)
4. Have the other groups decide on and ask questions with “yes” or “no” answers
5. After each question, make a mark on the board or on flipchart paper (The objective, of course, is to come up with the answer in 20 questions or less.)
6. After their question is answered, the group has the option to “guess” or to continue questioning. If they “guess” incorrectly, they are no longer in the game; if they answer correctly, they “win” and it becomes their turn.
7. After each game, discuss questioning and reasoning strategies: Why did you ask that question first? What clue was the most useful? What made you think of that? What additional information could you have used? Etc.
8. Continue playing until you run out of time or material.
Note: Depending on your educational philosophy and teaching style, you can avoid or take advantage of the competitive aspect of this game?
20 Questions, Folwell Dunbar 2008