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Yes, No, Stand Up: A no-prep energizer before class starts, for kids, teens and adults

Ask the class a question. Students stand up for yes, sit down for no, and put their hands on their heads for sometimes, and they say the answer as they move: "Yes, I do!"

Free, no sign-in. A4 and US Letter. Answer keys included.

The how-to-teach video comes out on Tue 24 Nov.

• Ages 6 to adult: Kids, teens, adults
• Beginner +: About pre-A1 to B1
• 5 minutes: Six to eight questions
• Nothing to prep: Room to stand up
• Yes, I do!: Questions and short answers

Free printables

Everything you need for the game, ready to print in black and white.

• Teacher guide, question bank and board signs (3 pages, PDF): How to play and the language on one page, 36 ready questions by level (including trick questions), and big YES, NO and SOMETIMES signs for the board. A4 · US Letter
• Worksheet: Support, Core, Challenge (4 pages, PDF): Short answers, the class results puzzle, and "Have you ever…?" with one detail, with a QR code for home practice and an answer key. A4 · US Letter

Yes, No, Stand Up in four steps

1. Set up. Push bags under the desks so the aisles are clear and everyone has room to stand.
2. Check the language. Write YES, NO and SOMETIMES on the board with an action for each: yes, stand up; no, sit down; sometimes, hands on your head.
3. Model it, then ask. Ask yourself a question and answer with your body: "Do I like coffee? Yes! Up I go." Then ask the class easy questions: "Do you like pizza?"
4. Say it as you move. Students say the short answer as they move: "Yes, I do!", "No, I can't!", "Sometimes!" Throw in a trick question, then hand the questions to a student.

Tip: Use one freeze signal: raise your hand and count down from three. Six to eight questions is plenty, then sit everyone down and start the lesson.

Easier: Show a picture with each question and use yes and no only. Harder: Anyone standing tells someone sitting one detail: "Have you ever been on a plane?" "Yes, I have. I went to Spain!"

Questions you can ask right now

Questions by level

Pick six to eight and mix in one trick question. Everyone should stay seated for the trick question!

Young learners: Do you like ice cream?, Do you have a pet?, Do you like rain?, Do you like homework?

Older kids: Can you swim?, Can you whistle?, Can you ride a bike?, Can you touch your toes?

Teens and adults: Have you ever been on a plane?, Have you ever eaten sushi?, Have you ever sung karaoke?, Have you ever seen snow?

Trick questions: Is 2 + 2 = 5?, Is the sun cold?, Can a fish climb a tree?

The question bank in the teacher guide has 36 questions, and the board signs show the three actions.

Language

The short answer matches the question. "Sometimes" is the new twist from part 2, and older students add one detail.

Yes, I do! / No, I don't!, Yes, I can! / No, I can't!, Yes, I have! / No, I haven't!, Sometimes!, Yes, I have. I went to Spain!

Why it works

Every question is about the students' own lives, so every answer is real. They listen, decide, move and speak, and the short answer has to match the question they just heard, so the grammar does a real job.

What you need

Nothing at all, just room for everyone to stand up. About 5 minutes for six to eight questions. The free printables above cover everything else.

Practise at home

The worksheet QR code opens the Food word search, free, no sign-in.

Make a Food Spin the Wheel

Spin, then ask "Do you like…?" and the class stands up or sits down. Free, no AI needed. Make it free

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• Who Stole the Pumpkin?: A Halloween mystery speaking game for teens
• Ghost Story Chain: A Halloween speaking game for teens
• Draw My Monster: A Halloween listening game for kids and teens

Yes, No, Stand Up FAQ

What do I need for Yes, No, Stand Up?

Nothing. It needs no prep and only room to stand up. The free question bank has 36 ready questions by level, and the board signs show the three actions.

What is new in Yes, No, Stand Up 2?

"Sometimes": students put their hands on their heads when the answer is sometimes, and they say the short answer as they move.

Does it work with teens and adults?

Yes. Use "Have you ever…?" questions, and anyone standing tells someone sitting one detail. It works as an ice breaker for training days too.

How do I stop it getting too noisy?

Use one freeze signal (raise your hand and count down from three), and stop after six to eight questions.

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