50 Ways to Use a Wheel of Names in the Classroom

Updated: January 22, 2026

The following list shows 50 different ways to use a wheel of names in class or at home, and how you can use the `Hidden Activity` feature along with the wheel to make the learning really interactive. Wheel entries and hidden activities can optionally be imported into a wheel via a spreadsheet. Simply have one column representing the entry, for example student name, and a second column with the Activities. The second column needs to have a column header (the top row) labelled `Activity`. Importing from Excel or Google Sheets allows you to import lots of data into a wheel very quickly and in bulk.

Select a student to answer a question, with the hidden activity revealing the exact question
Choose a student to read aloud, with the hidden action showing which paragraph or page
Assign daily classroom jobs, with hidden instructions specific to each role
Form discussion groups, with hidden prompts guiding each group’s focus
Create debate teams, with hidden positions (for or against) revealed after selection
Spin to reveal a writing task, with hidden sentence starters or success criteria
Select a math problem, with the hidden activity showing the solution or a worked example
Randomize presentation order, with hidden time limits or presentation goals
Cold-call students fairly, with hidden scaffolding prompts to support responses
Select a student to summarize learning, with hidden keywords they must include
Assign group roles, with hidden expectations for leaders, recorders, or presenters
Choose a vocabulary word, with the hidden action revealing a definition or example sentence
Run a quiz wheel, where questions appear first and answers are hidden until revealed
Select a student for peer assessment, with hidden feedback criteria
Choose homework questions to review, with hidden model answers for discussion
Pick a classroom helper, with hidden tasks revealed after selection
Decide performance order, with hidden stage directions or performance tips
Select a science experiment, with hidden safety notes or observation questions
Randomize seating, with hidden teacher notes for supportive placements
Select a student to explain their thinking, with hidden reasoning prompts
Choose a warm-up activity, with hidden instructions revealed after the spin
Pick a brain break, with hidden movement or mindfulness steps
Select think-pair-share participants, with hidden roles such as thinker or responder
Choose a reading strategy, with hidden guidance on how to apply it
Assign partners randomly, with hidden collaboration goals
Select revision topics, with hidden retrieval questions
Pick a student to distribute materials, with hidden setup instructions
Choose an exit-ticket question, with hidden success criteria
Reveal a challenge problem, with hidden extension tasks
Assign project topics, with hidden research expectations
Select a discussion leader, with hidden facilitation tips
Choose a reflection prompt, with hidden depth questions
Spin for a class reward, with hidden conditions or variations
Select a peer tutor, with hidden support guidelines
Choose a creative writing starter, with hidden genre or style constraints
Pick a fact to research, with hidden source requirements
Select a student to model a skill, with hidden coaching points
Choose a review game, with hidden rule variations
Randomize lab groups, with hidden roles for each member
Select a student to ask the next question, with hidden questioning stems
Pick a classroom rule to revisit, with hidden real-world examples
Choose background music for work time, with hidden volume or focus rules
Select a student to check answers, with hidden marking guidance
Choose a problem-solving strategy, with hidden steps to follow
Pick a daily learning goal, with hidden reflection prompts
Select a student to lead a recap, with hidden structure cues
Choose a class poll question, with hidden follow-up discussion points
Reveal a journal prompt, with hidden sentence frames or challenges
Select a problem of the day, with hidden hints revealed if students get stuck
Choose a student to lead a quick recap game, with hidden scoring or challenge rules