Show and Share Question Wheel

Show and Share can be a useful time for language production… or it can completely derail the language targets. Earlier in the year, I use a scripted template for show and share times. I ask the learners to bring their show and share object concealed in a brown paper bag. I usually do a few show and share presentations in a row. This allows kids to build familiarity with the script.

« J’aime mon objet. »
« Mon objet est (grand/moyen/petit). »
« Mon objet est (couleurs). »
« Maintenant, tout le monde regarde mon objet. » (reveal)

Later in the year, I am more interested in extending the vocabulary. I like to shift towards a focus on questioning. I use an adapted version of Miriam Trehearne’s question wheel. I have translated it into French, and created a version of the wheel for the smart board which conceals the questions. This helps build familiarity with various types of questions. The presenter brings their object concealed in a brown paper bag. We play 3 questions and 3 guesses.

I use an adapted version of Miriam Trehearne’s question wheel.

Presenter: « Je cherche in ami qui veut demander la première question. »
« Je choisis ____. »
S1: « Je choisis la question orange. » (Slides to reveal the question. Then we read it together. … « Quelle est sa forme? »
Presenter: « La forme est comme un triangle/cercle/rectangle/carré/etc. »
« Maintenant, je cherche un ami qui veut demander la deuxième question. »
« Je choisis ____. »
S2: « Je choisis la question magenta. » (Slides to reveal the question. Then we read it together. … « Quelle est sa texture? »
Presenter: « La texture, c’est mou/dur/rugueux/lisse/poilu/etc. »
« Maintenant, je cherche un ami qui veut demander la troisième question. »
« Je choisis ____. »
S3: « Je choisis la question bleue. » (Slides to reveal the question. Then we read it together. … « Comment est-ce que ça fonctionne? »
Presenter: « Tu ouvres ça, et tu regardes ça. »
« Maintenant, je cherche un ami qui veut deviner. »
« Je choisis ____. »
S4: « Est-ce que c’est un livre? »

We continue to a maximum of three guesses, then the presenter must reveal their object. A question wheel is a fun way to get the kids used to asking and answering questions. I am able to offer guided support as needed.

When I first introduce the wheel, we all search for an object from within the classroom to use as practice. The question wheel makes it easier to work up to asking questions independently in French. I find the time I spend intentionally building questioning language in French reaps big returns and empowers my learners to ask their own big questions in the target language later on.