--- title: "Nothing Ventured" description: "Pairs roll a six-sided die before answering review questions to determine the risk value of each round. Correct answers gain points equal to the die roll, while incorrect answers lose that same amount." last_updated: "2026-09-07" canonical: "https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/nothing-ventured-the-teacher-toolkit/" --- # Nothing Ventured Pairs roll a six-sided die before answering review questions to determine the risk value of each round. Correct answers gain points equal to the die roll, while incorrect answers lose that same amount. **Time:** 15 minutes. UWT standard pacing fits a 5-question review round within 15 minutes. **People:** 4 to 24. Pairs; if participant count is odd, form one trio where two alternate rolling and writing. ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Check comprehension of factual concepts using pair discussion and a risk-weighted scoring mechanic. **Use it when:** Use at the end of an instructional unit or meeting section to check retention of key facts and definitions. **Skip it when:** Skip when exploring open-ended, ambiguous topics without clear right or wrong answers, or when point-based risk competition creates unnecessary anxiety. ## Materials and tools - One six-sided die per pair (or virtual dice rolling tool) - One Nothing Ventured score sheet per pair - One pen or pencil per pair - Display screen or cards with 5 prepared review questions and verified answers ## Before participants arrive 1. Prepare 5 factual review questions with definitive, short answers. 2. Print one score sheet per pair or prepare digital copies. 3. Place one die, one score sheet, and one writing utensil at each pair station. ## Say this to open We will review today's material in pairs with a game called Nothing Ventured. Before each question, you roll a die. That number is your stake for the question. If you get the answer right, you add that many points to your score. If you get it wrong, you subtract that number from your score. Work together with your partner on every answer. ## How to run it ### 1. Set up pairs and roll stake (2 minutes) Group participants into pairs. Distribute dice and score sheets. Announce Round 1. Instruct each pair to roll their die once and record that number in the Die Roll column. ### 2. Run question rounds (8 minutes) Display or read Question 1. Give pairs 45 seconds to agree on an answer and write it in the Answer column. Reveal the correct answer. Pairs write C for correct or I for incorrect. Instruct pairs to calculate points scored (+roll if correct, -roll if incorrect) and update their running total. Repeat this exact sequence for Questions 2 through 5, rolling fresh before each prompt. ### 3. Tally final scores (2 minutes) Have pairs verify their math down the Total column. Identify the pair with the highest positive score, while making score reporting optional for anyone who prefers not to share. ### 4. Debrief learning content (3 minutes) Lead a whole-room check of the concepts covered. Take 2 or 3 quick comments on which questions caused disagreement or required the most discussion. ## Debrief questions - Which question prompted the most debate within your pair, and why? - How did rolling a high number like a 5 or 6 change how carefully you discussed your answer? - Which reviewed concept do we still need to clarify before moving forward? **Finished output:** Completed pair score sheets showing answers and self-calculated risk scores across 5 review prompts. ## Remote Run using an online video meeting. Form breakout rooms with pairs or keep everyone in the main room. Use a shared online document for the score sheet or have pairs maintain a copy locally. Provide an online dice roller link (such as a random number generator 1-6) or have one partner roll physically. The facilitator displays questions via screen share and reveals answers after 45 seconds. ## Hybrid Pair in-person participants together and remote participants together. Use an online shared worksheet template accessible to all. The facilitator reads questions aloud and presents them on a shared screen visible in the room and online. Both cohorts reveal their final tallies via chat or verbal callout. ## Access and participation choices - Pairs can designate one person to write and one to roll so fine motor demands are shared or adjusted. - Scores can be kept private; pairs may choose not to share their point totals during the final tally. ## If the session gets stuck **A pair forgets to roll the die before seeing the question.** Have them roll immediately before writing their answer, or assign a default roll of 3 for that round. **Negative running totals discourage a pair early in the game.** Remind participants that later high rolls can erase negative points quickly, and reinforce that the main aim is content recall. ## Terms used here - Die Roll: The single number rolled on a six-sided die (1 to 6) that sets the point value won or lost for that question. - Running Tally: A continuous sum where points from each new question are added or subtracted from the previous round's total. ## Participant material: Nothing Ventured Score Sheet NOTHING VENTURED SCORE SHEET Pair Names: ___________________________ Rules: Roll the die before each question. Correct answer = + points rolled. Incorrect answer = - points rolled. Round | Die Roll | Answer | Correct/Incorrect (C/I) | Points (+/-) | Running Total 1 | | | | | 2 | | | | | 3 | | | | | 4 | | | | | 5 | | | | | Final Score: _____________ ## Sources and adaptation Observed in The Teacher Toolkit under the title 'Nothing Ventured'. Retained the defining mechanic from The Teacher Toolkit source: rolling a die before each question to determine positive points for a correct answer or negative points for an incorrect answer, using a structured worksheet. Added a 15-minute 5-question facilitation structure, timing breakdown, clear group limits, opening script, and remote/hybrid delivery steps. [The Teacher Toolkit](https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/print-tool/nothing-ventured) [The Teacher Toolkit](https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/nothing-ventured) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/nothing-ventured-the-teacher-toolkit/