The Magic Wheel: How a Random Spinner Ended 'Teacher Favoritism' Complaints
Since using a random spinner to call on students, no one has accused me of favoritism. A real story from a middle school teacher who turned complaints into engagement.
'Why do you always call on the same kids?' I heard this complaint more than I wanted to admit. Despite trying to be fair, students perceived bias. The kids in the back felt ignored. The quiet ones never spoke. The eager hand-raisers dominated every discussion. Then I found a simple solution: let a random spinner decide who speaks next. The complaints stopped immediately.
The Problem I Couldn't Solve
I teach 8th grade Language Arts with classes of 30-35 students. Each period, I can realistically call on 5-7 students to answer questions. The problem? I unconsciously favored:
- •Students sitting near the front (easy eye contact)
- •Students who raised their hands (path of least resistance)
- •Students I suspected didn't do the reading (checking up on them)
- •Students whose names I remembered easily
The result? Students in the back were 'safe' all year. Some complained I played favorites. Even though I tried tracking who I'd called on, with 4 classes and 130+ students, I couldn't keep it straight.
The Hidden Victims
There was another problem: shy students almost never participated. I KNEW some of them understood the material—their written work was excellent—but they never raised their hands. Meanwhile, the confident students dominated every discussion.
Research shows teachers unconsciously call on male students more often, students in the 'T-zone' (front and center), and students who make eye contact. Even well-meaning teachers have participation blind spots.
Discovering the Solution by Accident
I was watching my daughter's school talent show when I saw a teacher use a spinning wheel to pick raffle winners. Students LOVED it—cheering as the wheel slowed, gasping as it landed. I thought: what if I used something like that to pick who answers questions?
How the Magic Wheel Works
I set up a digital spinner wheel with all my students' names. When I ask a question:
- •I give the class 10-15 seconds to think
- •I spin the wheel on the projector
- •Everyone watches as it slows down
- •The wheel lands on a name
- •That student answers (or passes to a classmate if truly stuck)
The Immediate Transformation
Complaint: Eliminated
No one has said 'you always call on them' since I started using the wheel. When a computer randomly selects, there's no one to blame. Students accept randomness far more easily than teacher choices.
Engagement: Dramatically Increased
When ANYONE might be called on, EVERYONE pays attention. No more 'safe' seats. Students who used to zone out in the back now follow along because they know the wheel doesn't care where they sit.
Shy Students: Finally Heard
The wheel gave shy students something hand-raising couldn't: a reason to speak that wasn't their choice. 'The wheel picked me'—it removes the social risk of volunteering. Several quiet students have blossomed since they started getting called on regularly.
Excitement: Built In
Students actually CHEER when the wheel spins. They lean forward. They watch names pass by. It's a tiny moment of drama in an otherwise routine lesson. That energy is valuable.
Advanced Techniques
The Think-Pair-Spin
Ask question → Students think individually → Discuss with partner → THEN spin the wheel. This ensures everyone has prepared an answer before the pressure of being called on.
The Double Spin
Spin once for who answers, spin again for who adds to that answer. Creates dialogue between students rather than just student-to-teacher responses.
The Lifeline Option
If a student genuinely doesn't know, they can 'phone a friend'—spin again to select a helper. Removes anxiety while maintaining accountability.
Remove and Replace
Some wheels let you temporarily remove names after they're called. This ensures everyone participates before anyone goes twice.
Handling Pushback
'I didn't raise my hand!'
'I know—that's why we use the wheel. In this class, everyone contributes, not just volunteers. You've had time to think. What's your answer?'
'I don't know'
'Take your best guess, or tell me what you DO know about this. Partial answers count.' Or offer the lifeline option.
'The wheel picked me three times today!'
'That's randomness for you! Sometimes it clusters. Tomorrow might be different. Consider it extra practice.' (Or use remove-after-selection feature.)
When NOT to Use Random Selection
- •High-stakes assessments: Oral exams should be systematic, not random
- •Sensitive discussions: Some topics need voluntary sharing
- •New students: Give newcomers a grace period to settle in
- •Known struggles: If you know a student can't answer, calling on them publicly is cruel
Setting Up Your Wheel
Option 1: Online Spinner Tools
Websites like Wheel of Names, Picker Wheel, or Sorokid's random tools let you input names and spin instantly. Most are free and work on any device with a browser.
Option 2: Presentation Software
PowerPoint and Google Slides have spinner add-ons you can embed directly in your lesson slides.
Option 3: Physical Wheel
For low-tech classrooms, a physical spinner with name cards works too—though it's harder to update when students join or leave.
Tips for Maximum Effectiveness
- •Always give think time first: Spin AFTER students have had time to formulate answers
- •Make it dramatic: Let the wheel spin fully, build anticipation
- •Celebrate ALL answers: Even wrong answers get 'thanks for trying'
- •Use consistently: Random days with random methods confuses students; pick a system and stick with it
- •Explain the why: Tell students this is about fairness and giving everyone a voice
The Deeper Benefit: Classroom Culture
Beyond logistics, the wheel changed my classroom culture. Students know:
- •Everyone's voice matters equally
- •Participation isn't optional (but it IS supported)
- •The teacher doesn't play favorites
- •Being prepared is expected, not just for hand-raisers
- •Speaking up is normal, not brave
My favorite moment: A former 'never-speaks' student told me at year-end, 'I was scared of the wheel at first. But it made me realize I actually know stuff. Now I sometimes raise my hand before you even spin.' That's the goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Won't anxious students hate being randomly called on?
Initially, some are nervous. But predictable randomness is actually LESS stressful than wondering if you'll be picked. Students adapt quickly, especially with think-time and lifelines.
What about students with IEPs or accommodations?
Honor accommodations always. If a student's plan includes opt-out of oral participation, respect that. You can still include their name but have a private signal system for when they'd prefer to pass.
Does this work for all subjects?
Absolutely. Math, science, history, language arts—any subject with discussion questions benefits from equitable participation. It's especially powerful in subjects where a few confident students typically dominate.
Ready to make your classroom participation truly fair? Sorokid offers free random picker tools designed for teachers—save your class lists, spin with one click, and watch engagement transform when every student knows their turn will come.
Try Free Random Picker