The Hot Seat!!!

The hot seat is an exciting and valuable strategy to use with your English language learners. Here is how it works. Have one student sit in the "hot seat" and assume the identity of a historical figure or character from a story. The other students need to ask questions in order to give them clues to find out who the historical figure or character is. Use your grade level social studies standards to choose a historical figure or character. I think this strategy is beneficial because it is open-ended, contextual and can be used at every grade level. For younger children have them wear a hat or include a prop. In addition assist when necessary if you see the student in the hot seat struggling to find an answer to the question.