Every Hand Up

See how it works

At a glance

Time in class

Ongoing; seconds per question

Prep

One-time: write each student’s name on a craft stick (10 minutes), or use a random name picker.

Materials

Craft sticks and a cup

Grouping

Whole class

Use it when

Any time you ask the class a question

Why it works

When only volunteers answer, the same few students do the thinking. If anyone might be called, everyone prepares an answer. In one study, regular cold-calling increased how often students volunteered and made them more comfortable speaking.

1. Set the normOnce“In here, everyone thinks. I’ll pull names at random, and you can always phone a friend.”
2. Ask the question5 secondsNo hands.
3. Think time5–10 seconds“Think. Everyone have an answer ready.”
4. Pull a stick2 secondsRead the name.
5. SupportAs neededIf they’re stuck: “Want to phone a friend, or hear it again?” Come back to them after.
6. Return the stickPut it back so anyone can be called again.

See it in action

Watch out for

• “Gotcha” questions: use it to include, not to catch.
• No think time: always pause before pulling.
• Taking sticks out after they’re used: students stop listening once called.

Level up

• Pull two sticks, and the second student has to build on the first.
• Pair it with Boards Up! so everyone answers first, then you pull a name to explain.

Make it work for everyone

• Multilingual learners: let them rehearse with a partner before you pull.
• IEP and 504 supports: pre-warn a student privately before a question you’ll ask them.

Tech option

Any random name picker on the board works the same way.

Resources