Getting students comfortable with speaking in front of their peers and making reasoned arguments doesn't have to be intimidating. This simple warm-up activity introduces fundamental reasoning skills in a fun, low-pressure way that gets everyone involved.
What This Activity Achieves
This exercise serves two important purposes in the classroom:
- Introduces fundamental reasoning - Students learn that reasons are responses to the question "Why?" and typically begin with "because..."
- Builds speaking confidence - Everyone gets a chance to make arguments and speak in front of each other in a supportive environment
How to Set Up
The setup is straightforward and takes just a couple of minutes:
- Ask students to form a circle
- Join the circle yourself as the teacher
- Explain the game using yourself as the first example
Here's how it works: Each student will give a statement starting with "Why I would..." The next student in the circle asks "Why?" and the first student responds with their reasoning, beginning with "because..."
Example Demonstration
Let me walk you through a quick example:
Step 1: Teacher's Statement
The teacher says "Why I would give everyone a piece of cake every day."
Step 2: Next Person Asks
The student to their left says, "Why?"
Step 3: Teacher Responds
The teacher responds, "Because cake makes people happy, and I think it's great if everyone has a chance to eat cake and be happy."
Running the Activity
Once you've demonstrated, the game proceeds around the circle. Each student takes their turn making a "Why I would..." statement, followed by the next person asking "Why?", and then the original speaker providing their reasoning.
The seriousness of suggestions can be influenced by your opening example as the teacher. Choose something that sets the appropriate tone for your classroom.
Prompts to Get Students Started
Sometimes students need a little inspiration to get their creative juices flowing. Here are some sentence starters that work well:
- If I was the Prime Minister...
- If I was the head teacher...
- If I was a millionaire...
- If I was invisible for a day...
- If I could travel anywhere in the world...
- If I could have any superpower...
- If I could meet anyone from history...
- If I could change one rule at school...
- If I could invent something new...
- If I had my own restaurant...
- If I could be any animal for a day...
- If I could learn any skill instantly...
- If I ran a charity organisation...
- Why This Activity Works
This warm-up has become one of my favorite classroom activities for several reasons:
Fast and Fun
It's a quick exercise that energizes the group and gets everyone engaged from the start. You can complete a full round in 10-15 minutes, making it perfect for the beginning of a lesson.
Everyone Participates
Giving everyone a chance to speak up and express themselves builds confidence and creates an inclusive environment. No one is left out, and quieter students get equal speaking time.
Building Reasoning Skills
What I love most about this activity is how it introduces students to basic reasoning in a natural, conversational way. Here's what they learn:
Understanding "Why?" - Reasons are answers to the question "Why?" that often begin "because..." This simple structure helps students understand the fundamentals of argumentation.
Connecting Ideas - Students learn to connect their statements with logical explanations and justifications. They practice linking cause and effect in real-time.
Building Confidence - Perhaps most importantly, students become comfortable making arguments and speaking in front of each other without the pressure of being "right" or "wrong."
Teacher Tips for Success
After running this activity many times, here are my top recommendations:
Set the Tone
The seriousness of suggestions can be influenced by the example you choose as the teacher. Pick your opening statement carefully to guide the group's approach. A lighthearted example will encourage creativity and humor, while a more serious topic will prompt thoughtful responses.
Lead by Example
Join the circle and demonstrate the activity first. Students need to see exactly how to structure their statements and responses. Your participation also shows that everyone is equal in this exercise.
Encourage Variety
Students can choose serious or lighthearted topics - both approaches help build speaking confidence and reasoning skills. The goal is participation and practice, not perfection.
Have you tried this activity in your classroom? I'd love to hear how it went and what creative "Why I would..." statements your students came up with!
Happy Teaching
TheEALSchool Team