Quiz, Quiz, Trade

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Enable every participant to speak one-on-one and hear peer perspectives using structured question cards.

Use it when: Use at the beginning of a workshop or training session to establish peer contact, warm up voices, or review key terminology.

Skip it when: Skip when the physical space cannot accommodate standing movement or when an agenda demands sustained focus on a single deep topic.

Group arrangement: Parallel pairs with continuous rotation

Timing: UWT suggested 15-minute schedule based on the CASEL playbook 5 to 15 minute guideline.

Materials and tools

• One prompt card per participant (index card or printed slip)
• Timer or chime
• Digital document or breakout software for remote cohorts

Before participants arrive

1. Print and cut prompt cards so each participant receives one distinct card.
2. Ensure pathways between tables and chairs are clear for standing movement.

Say this to open

We are going to do a rapid exchange called Quiz, Quiz, Trade. Everyone will receive one prompt card. When we begin, find a partner. Person A asks their question, and Person B answers. Then Person B asks their question, and Person A answers. Thank each other, trade cards, and raise your hand so another partner can find you.

How to run it

1. Distribute cards and demonstrate 3 minutes

   Hand one card to each person. Speak the opening script. Model one clean exchange with a volunteer: greet, ask, respond, switch, trade cards, and raise a hand. Remind participants they can pass on any personal question.

2. First mingling exchanges 4 minutes

   Signal participants to stand, find an initial partner, and complete their first exchange. Each partner asks their question, hears the reply, trades cards, and raises a hand to find someone new.

3. Continue trades and partner swaps 4 minutes

   Keep the rotation moving. Remind participants to raise hands high when searching for a partner. Check on any unpaired participant and connect them to another waiting person or join them briefly.

4. Return and debrief 4 minutes

   Ring the chime to conclude trading. Ask participants to return to their seats. Ask two debrief questions from the list and take three or four brief reflections from the room.

Debrief questions

• Raise your hand if you spoke with at least one person you had not talked to this week.
• How did holding and trading a card change the pace of your conversations?
• What is one idea or insight from a partner that stayed with you?

Finished output: Every participant completes several quick peer exchanges and finishes holding a different question card.

Remote

Display a shared document listing numbered prompt cards. Send participants into 2-minute randomized breakout pairs. Person A asks the question, Person B answers, then switch roles. Reassign new breakout pairs each round so each person interviews three different colleagues.

Hybrid

Keep remote participants paired in breakout rooms using a shared digital slide deck of prompt cards. In-person participants mingle in the main space. Bring both cohorts together into the common room for debriefing via screen and speaker.

Access and participation choices

• Participants with limited mobility can remain seated at designated stations while mobile partners rotate to them.
• Anyone may choose to pass on a specific question, share an alternate thought, or act as timekeeper and card distributor without explanation.

If the session gets stuck

Two participants finish early and stand waiting while others are talking.

Remind everyone to raise a hand high the moment they finish a trade; two people with raised hands match immediately.

An odd number of participants leaves one person standing alone.

The person waiting keeps their hand up; the facilitator either joins as an active partner or directs the next finishing pair to form a brief triad.

Terms used here

• Quiz, Quiz, Trade: A cooperative learning structure where partners quiz each other, trade cards, and find new partners.