Play "Forced Choice".....(just for fun)

[Carol A]

In the days when I had a spare 20 minutes to ‘have fun’ with my students (days long past :( ), we did an activity called “Forced Choice”. I gave them a choice to make, and the entire class would walk to one side of the room or the other, depending on each person’s choice. It was interesting to see who chose what. I played too, of course. :)

Here are some choices for 'you'. If you play, you *HAVE* to choose. You can’t stand in the middle. (That’s the whole point of the activity = ‘forced choice’). :) Also, it would be nice if you explained the reason for your choice. But you don't have to do that if you don't want to.

Which would you choose and why?

* would you rather be too hot or too cold?
too hot
* would you rather drive a fully-loaded pick-up truck or a Cadillac?
truck
* would you rather drive a sports car convertible or a Jeep?
Jeep
* would you rather have a steak or lobster?
lobster
* would you rather go to the mountains or the beach?
mountains
* would you rather be rich and smart or good-looking and dumb?
rich and smart
* would you rather join the Air Force or the Navy?
Navy
* would you rather eat at McDonald’s or Taco Bell?
Taco Bell
* would you rather be an only child or have siblings?
siblings
* would you rather be killed in a car wreck or die from drowning?
car wreck
* would you rather be executed by firing squad or by electric chair?
firing squad
* would you rather be able to dance really well or sing really well?
sing
* would you rather be a rock star or an Olympic athlete?
rock star
* would you rather your significant other have a good-looking face or a good-looking body?
face
* would you rather be athletic or smart?
smart
* would you rather put mustard or mayo on your ham sandwich?
mayo
* with your steak do you prefer baked potato or fries?
baked potato
* do you prefer apples or oranges?
oranges
* would you rather your significant other be extremely gorgeous/sexy or really fun to be around?
really fun
* would you rather be unable to speak or unable to hear?
speak
* would you rather have pizza or Mexican food?
Mexican food

Well, there are millions more, but this is a start. If you think of some good choices, please post them.

Thanks for any replies.

Carol

[shetline]

* Would you rather answer this question or not?

[Carol A]

Originally posted by shetline
* Would you rather answer this question or not?
I'd rather answer. :) :p

[finagain]

I think forcing them to pick one OR the other is a good idea, but then you also have to make sure that they understand that (supposedly) nothing is that cut-and-dried, there are no black/white decisions, ever. That's what I keep reading, anyway. :D

Great teaching technique, though. Do you ever give them advance notice on the tougher issues, so they can perhaps think about it and form an intelligent opinion first?

[Carol A]

Originally posted by finagain
I think forcing them to pick one OR the other is a good idea, but then you also have to make sure that they understand that (supposedly) nothing is that cut-and-dried, there are no black/white decisions, ever. That's what I keep reading, anyway. :D

Great teaching technique, though. Do you ever give them advance notice on the tougher issues, so they can perhaps think about it and form an intelligent opinion first?
Hi Finagain -

Actually, the purpose of this activity (with my students) is to make them aware just how many decisions we all have to make on a daily basis - significant and insignificant. Plus they have fun getting to go back and forth across the room. :) I thinks it's especially interesting when most of the class is on one side of the room, and maybe one or two are on the other. It's fun for the kids to get to know each other a little better too.

For "real" decision-making, I have an activity for small groups of four. Two kids have to argue one side of the issue, two have to argue the other side. Then the four vote on their choice, discuss the reasons for their choice, and one member of the group is chosen to explain the choice of their group to the class. This activity is extremely interesting. Never know what they will come up with. (They're 13 yrs. old.)

An example off the top of my head of a decision might be:

You have tickets for a concert tonight, and you have been *really* looking forward to it. Suddenly your friend calls on the phone, is devastated about some personal problem, and desperately wants to talk it over with you. What do you do? Do you go to the concert or talk to your friend?

This isn't a very good example, but it's one I remember using. The issue is usually something they might actually have to make a choice about someday. Maybe like "your friend has started shoplifting for fun. Do you tell her parent or keep quiet, knowing that if you tell, she won't be your friend anymore?"

[Akumulator]

Carol A -

My answers are all the same as yours with the exception of mayo and oranges.

[709]

Originally posted by Akumulator
Carol A -

My answers are all the same as yours with the exception of mayo and oranges. Then mine would be the same as Akumulator's with the exception of firing squad.

[Carol A]

Originally posted by ShawnJ
Well, I think games more along the lines of highlighting "opportunity costs" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost) would be more effective than forcing people to make a "choice" between two mostly non-mutually exclusive things. And that's exactly the concept you're talking about. I'm not sure how opportunity cost relates to English though-- it's an economic concept that at least Pennsylvania now requires its students to learn- in grade-school social studies classes.
Like I said, Shawn, 'forced choice' is mostly just for fun. It's not intended to be a serious part of the curriculum. In fact, it's *not* part of the curriculum at all, and I haven't done it for a while. Our new principal even thinks videos are a waste of time on books we've just read as a class. She wants noses to the grindstone every minute. Imo, that mindset can kill the joy of learning for kids. What a shame.

[trumptman]

Originally posted by ShawnJ
Well, I think games more along the lines of highlighting "opportunity costs" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost) would be more effective than forcing people to make a "choice" between two mostly non-mutually exclusive things. And that's exactly the concept you're talking about. I'm not sure how opportunity cost relates to English though-- it's an economic concept that at least Pennsylvania now requires its students to learn- in grade-school social studies classes.

Let me ask you a question Shawn. (I can hijack Carol's thread because she hijacked one of mine.:p )

You mention this is something expected of elementary age children in Pennsylvania. What percentage of them do you think could have an actual advanced understand of it at say the fourth or fifth grade level?

Nick

[Wrong Robot]

7

[tonton]

Sorry, Carol. I really have to qualify my answers. I'm annoying that way. But ignoring my comments, my choice is final.

* would you rather be too hot or too cold?
too hot (As long as my girlfriend is together with me, because she dresses hot in the summertime! But if I'm alone I'd rather be too cold.)
* would you rather drive a fully-loaded pick-up truck or a Cadillac?
cadillac (I hate trucks and I find them extremely impractical. I mean how often are you going to use the bed unless you're a farmer or a gardener? Plus they're harder to park and wouldn't impress the kind of girls I like)
* would you rather drive a sports car convertible or a Jeep?
sports convertible (By far. I'm a city boy)
* would you rather have a steak or lobster?
lobster (With lots of butter)
* would you rather go to the mountains or the beach?
beach (see question 1)
* would you rather be rich and smart or good-looking and dumb?
rich and smart (Looks can be bought - I mean Armani and Versace, not surgery)
* would you rather join the Air Force or the Navy?
Air Force (More chicks)
* would you rather eat at McDonald’s or Taco Bell?
Taco Bell (By far. McDonalds is gross. Unfortunately, we don't have much choice here)
* would you rather be an only child or have siblings?
Only child (I'd like the added attention from my parents, the peace when I want to be alone and I can always make friends)
* would you rather be killed in a car wreck or die from drowning?
drowning (more peaceful, like a return to the womb)
* would you rather be executed by firing squad or by electric chair?
firing squad (quicker and cleaner)
* would you rather be able to dance really well or sing really well?
sing (I love singing and I like to be part of the musical process)
* would you rather be a rock star or an Olympic athlete?
rock star (more chicks and I love music)
* would you rather your significant other have a good-looking face or a good-looking body?
body (By far! I can adapt to a face, but if the body is unattractive I'll be unhappy. Sex is more important to me than other people's perceptions)
* would you rather be athletic or smart?
smart (Ugly and smart is better than ugly and athletic. Handsome and smart is better than handsome and athletic. It's the ugly dumb people that nobody wants, whether they're athletic or not)
* would you rather put mustard or mayo on your ham sandwich?
mustard (By far. And the spicier the better. I hate mayo! Yuck.)
* with your steak do you prefer baked potato or fries?
baked potato (Duh.)
* do you prefer apples or oranges?
oranges (I like the flavor much better)
* would you rather your significant other be extremely gorgeous/sexy or really fun to be around?
really fun (Looks just aren't that important to me)
* would you rather be unable to speak or unable to hear?
speak (I love music too much to give it up. And if you can't hear, then how could you speak? You'd use sign language anyway!)
* would you rather have pizza or Mexican food?
Mexican food (By far! ¡Caramba! I like spicy food. Mexican is my favorite)

Carol, I'd change the speak or hear question to blind or deaf.

Would you rather be blind or deaf?
Blind (I love music too much and I would feel trapped in a lonely world if I were deaf, while if I were blind, I would become more sensitive of my other senses.)

[Hassan i Sabbah]

There's a variation of this game, of course, that introduces a third variable and ups the stakes somewhat. The game is called 'Fück, Marry, Kill', it's very good for long car journeys, and it's played like this.

The first player offers the other players a list of three people; then all the players must decide.

One of these people they must marry. One they must kill. One they must ****. This is serious business.

It's better to suggest three people with something in common: Ronald McDonald, Ronald Reagan and Ronald Isley from the Isley Brothers, for example, or, say, Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan and Hilary Clinton (tough one, that).

The most fun is the explaining your reasons. That's really the whole point of the game.

Someone might say, for example: "I'd **** Ronald McDonald, just to get the filthy business over with, I'd marry Ronald Isley, because he's rich and talented, and I'd kill Ronald Reagan because he really, really deserves it." It's best when the game is quite sick.

[pfflam]

Take your friend to the concert and talk on the way, during the intermission, and afterwards . . . get drinks and put on your listening face.

[Carol A]

Originally posted by trumptman
Let me ask you a question Shawn. (I can hijack Carol's thread because she hijacked one of mine.:p )

:lol:

:p

I felt a certain amount of guilt about doing that, Nick, but my concern for Artman outweighed my guilt.

*I* never really mind about my thread being hijacked, so I hope Shawn answers you.

[Carol A]

Originally posted by finagain
I think forcing them to pick one OR the other is a good idea, but then you also have to make sure that they understand that (supposedly) nothing is that cut-and-dried, there are no black/white decisions, ever. That's what I keep reading, anyway. :D

Well, the "issues" themselves might be riddled with 'grey'. I guess that's what makes many *either/or* choices so difficult, when one 'must' choose between tough alternatives - like between Gore and Bush, or Kerry and Bush. When you have only two choices, then it kinda ends up being black and white, don't you think, finagain?

[Carol A]

Originally posted by 709
Then mine would be the same as Akumulator's with the exception of firing squad.
You'd rather have the electric chair, 709?

Maybe I should have said the guillotine vs. hanging.

Or the firing squad vs. the guillotine.

I think hanging would be just awful, don't you?

[Carol A]

Originally posted by pfflam
Take your friend to the concert and talk on the way, during the intermission, and afterwards . . . get drinks and put on your listening face.
Ah, pfflam, I can tell you are a skilled problem-solver who likes to have your cake and eat it too. :)

Hmmm. Guess what?

Your answer just gave me the idea for another game for the classroom: I would set up a situation (the main problem) with all kinds of small and large difficulties involved. The task for the students (in small groups) would be to solve the main problem in such a way that all the loose ends and concurrent difficulties are dealt with in a satisfactory manner.

Gee, I like this idea - because that's what life is like, isn't it, for corporations, governments, and ordinary people?

You also gave me some other great ideas. Thanks pfflam. :)

[Carol A]

Originally posted by Akumulator
Carol A -

My answers are all the same as yours with the exception of mayo and oranges.
I could never stand the thought of mayonnaise on sandwiches in the past; but mustard *is* pretty strong, and does almost overwhelm the taste of the ham in some cases.

Ah, decisions, decisions..... :)

[Carol A]

Originally posted by Hassan i Sabbah
There's a variation of this game, of course, that introduces a third variable and ups the stakes somewhat. The game is called 'Fück, Marry, Kill', it's very good for long car journeys, and it's played like this.

The first player offers the other players a list of three people; then all the players must decide.

One of these people they must marry. One they must kill. One they must ****. This is serious business.

It's better to suggest three people with something in common: Ronald McDonald, Ronald Reagan and Ronald Isley from the Isley Brothers, for example, or, say, Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan and Hilary Clinton (tough one, that).

The most fun is the explaining your reasons. That's really the whole point of the game.

Someone might say, for example: "I'd **** Ronald McDonald, just to get the filthy business over with, I'd marry Ronald Isley, because he's rich and talented, and I'd kill Ronald Reagan because he really, really deserves it." It's best when the game is quite sick.
Cool game, Hassan. But I think I'd have to make lists ahead of time. I think I'd have trouble coming up with good fvck, marry, kill choices just off the top of my head.

Let's see: fvck, marry, kill: Brittney Spears, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts. How would *you* answer that, Hassan? hahaha :lol:

[Moogs]

What the hell, I'm on lunch break right now and need a diversion from the lawyerly duty of finalizing a work contract I have been writing all weekend. Here goes:



would you rather be too hot or too cold?
I guess this boils down to which makes you more miserable. As long as we're not talking heat stroke or frostbite territory, I'd rather be cold.

would you rather drive a fully-loaded pick-up truck or a Cadillac?
Cadillac's are for country-club blow-hards. As long as it's not an SUV, I'll take the truck anyday.

would you rather drive a sports car convertible or a Jeep?
Jeep

would you rather have a steak or lobster?
Lobster over "steak" as such, but Filet Mignon over Lobster.
8)

would you rather go to the mountains or the beach?
Mountains

would you rather be rich and smart or good-looking and dumb?
Are you sure you phrased this right? Maybe "rich and stupid vs. low income and intelligent?" As it is, the choice is easy because being rich and smart are not mutually exclusive of being good-looking.
;)


would you rather join the Air Force or the Navy?
Air Force

would you rather eat at McDonald’s or Taco Bell?
Taco Bell

would you rather be an only child or have siblings?
Siblings

would you rather be killed in a car wreck or die from drowning?
Car wreck for sure.

would you rather be executed by firing squad or by electric chair?
Firing squad (another easy one)

would you rather be able to dance really well or sing really well?
Sing. I don't think I'd enjoy dancing even if I were good at it. I'd enjoy singing in my car though.

would you rather be a rock star or an Olympic athlete?
Athlete (Team USA Hockey) :D

would you rather your significant other have a good-looking face or a good-looking body?
Face... bodies fade with time anyway. Faces usually stay attractive if you take care of your skin.

would you rather be athletic or smart?
Smart....

would you rather put mustard or mayo on your ham sandwich?
Today's lunch indicates mayo.

with your steak do you prefer baked potato or fries?
Fries.

do you prefer apples or oranges?
Apples

would you rather your significant other be extremely gorgeous/sexy or really fun to be around?
If at the exclusion of the other, fun to be around. I have met plenty of gorgeous bitches in my lifetime. 20 minutes at a time is about all I can handle. Of course... for some player-types that's all they need. Never been much for the "player scene" though. Life's too short to waste it chasing glamour girls for the chance at a weekend fling, eh?

would you rather be unable to speak or unable to hear?
Mr. Anderson says: "unable to speak."

would you rather have pizza or Mexican food?
You obviously don't live near Chicago. :smokey:

[Splinemodel]

All I have to say is that I don't think I could ever eat at Taco Bell again after some of the experiences I've had.

With that said:
hot, caddy, sports car, steak, beach, rich/smart, Air Force, McD's, siblings, drowning, electric chair, sing, Olympic Athlete, face, smart, mayo, fries, apples, sexy, speak, pizza.

[ipodandimac]

edit: combined posts

[ipodandimac]

marry britney (sex and $)
f**k julia roberts cause i wouldnt have to look at her face in the dark
kill gwyneth paltrow just because

ok my turn
f**k, marry, kill: jessica simpson, paris hilton, and angolina jolie (sp?)

AND


* would you rather be too hot or too cold?
too hot
* would you rather drive a fully-loaded pick-up truck or a Cadillac?
truck
* would you rather drive a sports car convertible or a Jeep?
sports car
* would you rather have a steak or lobster?
lobster
* would you rather go to the mountains or the beach?
beach, but only if it was rather secluded--not those tourist beaches
* would you rather be rich and smart or good-looking and dumb?
rich and smart
* would you rather join the Air Force or the Navy?
tough call, but i scuba dive, so navy
* would you rather eat at McDonald’s or Taco Bell?
McD
* would you rather be an only child or have siblings?
siblings
* would you rather be killed in a car wreck or die from drowning?
car wreck
* would you rather be executed by firing squad or by electric chair?
firing squad
* would you rather be able to dance really well or sing really well?
tough call again, but i suppose sing
* would you rather be a rock star or an Olympic athlete?
rock star
* would you rather your significant other have a good-looking face or a good-looking body?
face
* would you rather be athletic or smart?
smart
* would you rather put mustard or mayo on your ham sandwich?
mayo
* with your steak do you prefer baked potato or fries?
fries
* do you prefer apples or oranges?
oranges, but i like my computer :)
* would you rather your significant other be extremely gorgeous/sexy or really fun to be around?
really fun
* would you rather be unable to speak or unable to hear?
speak
* would you rather have pizza or Mexican food?
pizza--wow that was an easy call

[jesperas]

Originally posted by Carol A
'forced choice' is mostly just for fun.

I don't know about the "fun" part...the last time I did this with my wife, we ended up getting into a huge fight, which lasted most of the morning.

We did have make up sex though, which was fun...but next time, I think I'd rather skip the fight and go straight for the sex.

[giant]

Kill Brittney Spears, marry Gwyneth Paltrow, and **** Julia Roberts.

**** jessica simpson, kill paris hilton, and marry angolina jolie

* would you rather be too hot or too cold?
hot
* would you rather drive a fully-loaded pick-up truck or a Cadillac?
Cadillac, because I don't want to have to worry about the load
* would you rather drive a sports car convertible or a Jeep?
sports car. There's nowhere fun to take a jeep arounf here.
* would you rather have a steak or lobster?
lobster
* would you rather go to the mountains or the beach?
mountains anytime
* would you rather be rich and smart or good-looking and dumb?
rich and smart, especially since the choice doesn't rule out being rich, smart and good looking.
* would you rather join the Air Force or the Navy?
Air Force
* would you rather eat at McDonald’s or Taco Bell?
McDonald’s, taco bell is incredibly nasty
* would you rather be an only child or have siblings?
siblings
* would you rather be killed in a car wreck or die from drowning?
drowning
* would you rather be executed by firing squad or by electric chair?
firing squad
* would you rather be able to dance really well or sing really well?
dance
* would you rather be a rock star or an Olympic athlete?
athlete
* would you rather your significant other have a good-looking face or a good-looking body?
body
* would you rather be athletic or smart?
smart
* would you rather put mustard or mayo on your ham sandwich?
mayo
* with your steak do you prefer baked potato or fries?
fries
* do you prefer apples or oranges?
oranges
* would you rather your significant other be extremely gorgeous/sexy or really fun to be around?
really fun
* would you rather be unable to speak or unable to hear?
speak
* would you rather have pizza or Mexican food?
Mexican food

[Carol A]

Fvck, marry, kill? Brad Pitt, Russell Crowe, Viggo Mortensen.

:lol:

C'mon guys. Be brave. hahaha

[Crusader]

Marry Julia Roberts (Take 5 years off), F$c* Britney cuz I would kill myself if I had to listen to that, and Kill Gwyneth b/c she's worse than Brit, not as hot, and is gonna breakup Coldplay.

So if I was of a non-hetero persuasion I would: Kill Russell Crowe, f^$k Brad Pitt, and marry Viggo Mortensen.

Fu&%, Marry, Kill should be an entirely separate thread :D

F*^k, Marry, Kill: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, FDR.

Oh: Mexican Food over Pizza, and a Truck over a Caddy? Just where in PA do you live? Even the people in North East, PA would go for Pizza and Caddys :err:

[trumptman]

fvck, marry and kill...hmmm.... I like this better than the forced choice.

fvck Thalia, marry Norah Jones, and kill Madonna.

Nick

[Carol A]

Fvck Viggo Mortensen

Marry Brad Pitt

Kill Russell Crowe

[ipodandimac]

Originally posted by Carol A
Marry Brad Pitt

uh oh--Jennifer's gonna bust out her purse and crush you!

[murbot]

Fuck? I don't do that. I make love.

Marry? If I could do it all over again, I'd still marry the love of my life: my wife.

Kill? I'd kill disease, poverty and hatred. Can't we all just get along and live better lives?


(holy SHIT that was sickening!)

:lol:

[Carol A]

Originally posted by ipodandimac
uh oh--Jennifer's gonna bust out her purse and crush you!
I wouldn't really want to marry Brad Pitt. I saw him in an interview, and he seemed really "nice". But frankly it was almost more a "brotherly" kind of 'nice'. A bit too soft for me. I want someone more *male* than he seemed. Hard to describe what I mean, but I know it when I see it. :) I guess it's a kind of quiet strength and quiet self-confidence, for lack of a better description. (And really, really smart. :) )

Plus I don't really believe in marriage. Maybe I just haven't met the right guy. That's probably it. What I'd like to do is meet the right guy, and then *NOT* marry him. heh. Does that make any sense? :lol:

[trumptman]

Mentioning Brad Pitt, and proving that men can have catfights as well....

The world just got a little bit more fair today.

Why?

Because Brad Pitt, yes BRAD PITT had to quit smoking.

Why? So he could get FIT enough to play his role for Troy.

Yes folks, even BRAD PITT must face age and the beer gut.

Life is good.

Nick