Quiz, Quiz, Trade

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Review shared terms, concepts, or procedures through quick peer-to-peer questioning and card exchanges.

Use it when: Use before introducing advanced material, after a training block to verify vocabulary, or during an onboarding session to test policy knowledge.

Skip it when: Skip when concepts require long open-ended debate, when questions do not have clear verified answers, or when the room cannot support safe physical movement.

Group arrangement: Rotating pairs in an open room

Timing: Based on 5 to 15 minute range in The Teacher Toolkit source

Materials and tools

• One double-sided card per participant with a prompt on the front and answer on the back
• One chime or bell for timing signals

Before participants arrive

1. Write or print one card per participant with a question on one side and the answer on the reverse.
2. Clear tables and chairs to leave central floor space for walking and pairing.

Say this to open

Take one card. Keep the question side facing outward and check the answer on the back. When I give the signal, raise one hand, walk toward someone else with a raised hand, and pair up. One person asks their question. The other answers. The asker praises a correct answer or coaches using the back of the card. Then switch roles so both people are quizzed. Trade cards, raise your hand, and find a new partner.

How to run it

1. Distribute cards and model turn 3 minutes

   Give one card to each person. Demonstrate with one volunteer: Person A shows the question, Person B answers, Person A confirms or coaches, Person B asks their card, they swap physical cards, raise hands, and separate.

2. Pair and quiz round one 4 minutes

   Ring the chime. Participants raise one hand, walk to an available partner, and lower their hands. Person A asks, Person B answers. Person B asks, Person A answers. If an odd number occurs, the unmatched person joins a pair as a third or acts as round-timer.

3. Trade cards and repeat pairing 5 minutes

   Partners exchange physical cards, raise their hands again, and move across the room to a new partner. Repeat the quiz, coach, and trade sequence for 2 to 3 additional pairings.

4. Collect cards and wrap up 3 minutes

   Ring the chime to stop movement. Call on 2 or 3 participants to share one question that challenged them or that required coaching. Collect the cards.

Debrief questions

• Which term or question needed coaching most often during your exchanges?
• What coaching cue helped your partner recall the correct answer without simply giving it away?

Finished output: Every participant completes multiple peer quizzes across rotating subject cards with immediate peer feedback.

Remote

Run in video breakout rooms of 2 people. Post a numbered list of questions and answers in a shared digital document. In Round 1, Person A quizzes Person B on their assigned number, Person B quizzes Person A on theirs. Before rotating breakouts, participants pick new unassigned numbers from the list to take into the next room.

Hybrid

In-person participants pair in the physical room. Remote participants pair simultaneously in dedicated digital breakout rooms using shared online prompt cards. Do not mix remote and in-person partners for fast physical walking rounds.

Access and participation choices

• Participants with mobility limitations can remain seated at designated stations while mobile partners walk to them.
• Anyone who prefers not to quiz aloud may serve as a card distributor, timekeeper, or work through a printed reference sheet independently.

If the session gets stuck

An odd number of participants leaves one person without a partner.

Form one group of three where all three take turns asking and answering, then pass cards clockwise before dispersing.

A participant gives an incorrect answer and the asker does not know how to help.

Remind askers to read the exact answer or clue printed on the back of the card rather than guessing.

Terms used here

• Stand Up, Hands Up, Pair Up: A matching method where people stand, raise a hand, and lower it when high-fiving or greeting a partner.