Teaching my students to answer yes and no questions is really a vital skill for their communication development. Answering questions about concrete objects gets us so much closer to answering questions like “Do you want a cookie?” or “Do you like this song?”. I find that teaching my students how to concretely answer the questions is the only way I know that my students understand the concept I’ve been teaching. When I’m asking more abstract questions like “Do you like jump rope?” I’m not sure if my students are responding accurately unless I truly know they enjoy the activity (or don’t).
These activities are my go to’s for developing understanding of yes and no in the classroom. I’ll often use these activities during our classroom center times and then I’ll move them into our independent work stations for students to complete independently.
1. Yes and No Question Flipbooks
These flipbooks are one of my absolute favorite activities. I took subjects that my students have already mastered (colors, animals, and shapes) and each page presents the students with an image and asks if they are a specific color, animal, or shape. Students then move the interactive yes and no pieces to the page to indicate their response.
I found it important to take mastered content and make a book related to that content because not all of my students are readers, yet. Providing them with a consistent question that does not change throughout the book makes them better able to complete this task independently.
2. Yes and No Question Sorts
This no prep activity is one of my favorites for students who have emerging skills with answering yes and no questions. I simply print these worksheets and include them in our center time activities. Students cut the stimulus picture from the bottom of the page and with an adults support to read the question, the students will sort their pictures into the yes or no categories on the page.
These make a great center activity because my students often need help reading the question being asked. Occasionally, I will adapt the question by drawing or adding a picture for students as a reference. Then I’m able to include this task as part of their independent work station activities.
3. Yes and No Question Clip Cards
These clip cards from My Special Learners are a classroom staple. We use them during our IEP Goal Bin time in the classroom. Students usually have a set of 5-10 cards in their to do pile. Oftentimes one of my paras will read the question to my students and they’ll use a clothespin to clip either the yes or no options on the task cards. These make a great independent work station activity for my students who are able to read, too!
These are some of my favorite hands on activities for students who are learning to answer yes and no questions in the classroom. I think the most important part of building proficiency in this skill is providing students with familiar topics so they’re focusing on their response to the question. I also really like to stick with concrete items for a while so I’m aware of how accurately my students are using yes and no to respond to questions.
What are some of your favorite activities for teaching students to answer yes and no questions? I’m always looking to add to my repertoire of activities. Let me know your favorites in the comments!
