Rolling Question Dice

Description:
A fun, hands-on activity where students work in pairs. They roll a six-sided conversation dice, read the prompt that lands face-up, and practice asking and answering with follow-up questions to build conversational skills.

Materials:

• Printable dice template (see below)
• Scissors, tape or glue

Instructions:

1. Print and cut out the dice template. Fold along solid lines and tape/glue to form a six-sided dice.
2. Pair up students and give each pair one conversation dice.
3. Student A rolls the dice and reads the prompt that lands face-up.
4. Student B answers the prompt and then Student B asks a follow-up question (e.g., “Why did you choose that?” or “Tell me more.”).
5. Switch roles: Student B rolls and Student A responds.
6. Continue for 6–8 rolls, aiming for at least three complete question-answer-follow-up exchanges per student.
7. Circulate and use Prompt Scripts for Facilitators to support students who need extra prompting.

Prompts on Dice Faces:

1. What is your favorite hobby and why?
   
   
   
2. Tell me about a fun weekend you’ve had recently.
   
   
   
3. If you could eat one food every day, what would it be and why?
   
   
   
4. Who is your best friend and what do you like doing together?
   
   
   
5. What TV show or movie do you enjoy most and why?
   
   
   
6. Is there a new hobby or activity you’d like to try? Tell me about it.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Printable Dice Template:

Rolling Conversation Dice Template

Cut out along the outer lines, fold on the dashed lines, and tape to assemble your dice.

Prompt Scripts for Facilitators

These word-for-word prompts will help you support students who need extra help starting or keeping a conversation going. Use them during each part of the lesson.

1. Warm-Up Support: Icebreaker Pair Chats (Icebreaker Pair Chats)

Teacher says:

“Okay friends, let’s find a partner. Walk over, say ‘Hi, I’m [Your Name]! What’s your name?’”

If a student looks unsure:

“Remember, you can say: ‘Hello, I’m ____. What’s your name?’. Let’s try it together.”

Once pairs say hello, say:

“Great! Now ask each other: ‘Find one thing you both like—maybe a book, food, or hobby.’”

If a pair pauses too long:

“Try this: ‘I like ______. Do you like that too?’”

After 2 minutes, bring group back:

“Who wants to tell us one thing they both like? Use a loud voice so we can all hear!”

For a student who doesn’t volunteer:

“[Name], you can say: ‘We both like ______ because ______.’”

2. Modeling & Guided Practice Support

A. Introduce & Model Conversation (Getting-Started Prompts)

Teacher says:

“Today our goal is to start and keep a conversation going with a partner. Watch me.

Teacher (with volunteer):

Teacher: “Hi, I’m Alex. What’s your favorite movie?”

Volunteer: “My favorite movie is Toy Story.”

Teacher: “That’s a great choice! Why do you like Toy Story?”

Volunteer: “I like the characters.”

Teacher: “Characters can be fun—which character is your favorite?”

That’s three turns! Notice I asked a question, listened, then asked another question.”

If students look confused:

“Let’s say it again slowly. I ask a question, you answer, then I ask 'Why?' or 'Tell me more.'”

B. Guided Practice: Slide-Deck Prompts

Teacher says:

“Now let’s try it. Who can read the first question on the screen?”

After a volunteer reads:

“Thank you! Pair up and I want you to use that question. Remember: ask, answer, follow-up.”

If a student struggles:

Script:

“Here’s a sentence starter: ‘My favorite movie is ___ because ___.’ Now you try filling in the blanks.”

Circulate and whisper to pairs:

“Did you ask ‘Why do you think that?’ after the answer? If not, you can ask it now.”

3. Main Activity Support: Rolling Question Dice (Rolling Question Dice)

Teacher says:

“Pick up your dice. Each time you roll, read the question, answer it, and then ask your partner a follow-up like ‘Why is that?’ or ‘Tell me more.’”

If a student reads but then is silent:

Prompt: “You can say, ‘I chose that because ___.’ Then ask: ‘What about you?’”

If a student’s partner gives a one-word answer:

“Great start! Now try: ‘That’s interesting—tell me more about ___.’”

If a pair finishes early:

“Roll again! You can use a different follow-up: ‘How did that make you feel?’”

4. Wrap-Up & Reflection Support

Teacher says:

“Let’s share. Who wants to tell us one question they liked asking or answering?”

If no one volunteers right away:

“Here’s a starter: ‘I liked asking ______ because ______.’”

After 2–3 shares, ask:

“How did you keep the conversation going?”

If a student needs help:

“Try this: ‘I kept talking by asking ______.’”

End with:

“You all did a fantastic job! Remember these moves—ask a question, listen, and ask 'Why?' or 'Tell me more.' Use them with friends and family.”

Icebreaker Pair Chats

Time: 5 minutes

Instructions:

• Have students find a partner and say, “Hi, I’m ___! What’s your name?”
• Display or say the prompt: “Find one thing you both like (e.g., a book, food, or hobby).”
• Give pairs 2 minutes to talk and discover a common interest.
• After 2 minutes, invite each pair to share their shared interest with the whole group.
• If any pair needs support, use prompts from Prompt Scripts for Facilitators to guide them.