VORTEX FIELD NOTES

EDUCATION DESK

REPORT 08

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES • FIELD GUIDE

Classroom Activities Guide

Turn the next suitable learning activity into a visible choice.

Add teacher-approved activities that fit the lesson, learners, time, space, and accessibility needs, then spin when any listed choice would work.

Spin the Classroom Activities Wheel Explore Education Wheels

Spin the Wheel Lab colorful wheel spinner banner

Business version of the Spin the Wheel Lab banner

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES DESK NEWS BRIEF

WHAT IT DOES

What is a classroom activities wheel?

A classroom activities wheel is a random picker that helps teachers choose from suitable learning activities, review tasks, discussion formats, creative prompts, and short movement breaks.

Add activities that already fit the lesson and learners, explain what the wheel is choosing, and spin when any displayed result would be appropriate. The wheel adds variety while the educator keeps control of instruction.

Review games Discussion tasks Creative prompts Learning stations Brain breaks

ACTIVITY WIRE REVIEW GAMES • DISCUSSION TASKS • CREATIVE PROMPTS • LEARNING STATIONS • BRAIN BREAKS

LEARNING GOAL

Choose the purpose

Decide whether the wheel will select a review task, discussion activity, creative prompt, learning station, or brain break.

GOAL SET

ACTIVITY LIST

Add the activities

Write short, specific labels for activities that match the subject, learners, lesson stage, and intended learning outcome.

LIST READY

PRACTICAL CHECK

Review the details

Check the available time, materials, classroom space, accessibility, student comfort, and support required for every option.

OPTIONS CHECKED

LIVE LESSON

Spin and teach

Explain what the wheel is choosing, spin for the next activity, and adjust the result when educator judgment calls for a change.

LESSON ACTIVE

ACTIVITY IDEAS

Put the wheel on the right learning beat.

Build separate wheels for different learning goals so every activity fits the subject, students, lesson stage, and time available.

REVIEW

Practice and review

Vocabulary challenges, example problems, retrieval questions, sorting tasks, and quick review games.

LITERACY

Reading and writing

Character analysis, text evidence, vocabulary work, journal prompts, summaries, and creative responses.

STEM

STEM exploration

Science questions, math challenges, observation tasks, design prompts, experiments, and problem-solving activities.

CREATIVE

Creative activities

Art subjects, story starters, drawing prompts, music responses, dramatic scenes, and imaginative challenges.

COLLABORATION

Collaborative learning

Partner discussions, table challenges, peer explanation, small-group tasks, and cooperative problem solving.

MOVEMENT

Movement and resets

Stretching, movement prompts, breathing breaks, classroom resets, quick games, and short energizers.

NEWSROOM EQUIPMENT DESK CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES CONSOLE

HELPFUL LAB FEATURES

Better activities start with better controls.

Use the Lab tools to add activities quickly, edit unsuitable choices, prevent repeats, build a lesson sequence, present the wheel clearly, or save a reusable classroom setup.

INPUT 01

BULK

Bulk add activities

Paste review games, discussion tasks, creative prompts, STEM challenges, learning stations, or brain breaks into the wheel at once.

ACTIVITY LIST → READY

EDIT 02

TWEAK

Edit the activity list

Add, rename, or remove activities so every option fits the subject, learners, lesson stage, time, space, and accessibility needs.

ACTIVITIES → CHECKED

FILTER 03

REMOVE

Prevent repeats

Remove each selected activity when every review task, prompt, station, or learning challenge should be used only once.

REPEATS → OFF

PICK 04

MULTI

Build an activity set

Use multi-pick to choose several prompts, review rounds, learning stations, group tasks, or parts of a lesson sequence.

MULTIPLE PICKS → ON

LIVE

Use display modes

Put the wheel into a clear shared view so students can read the choices, follow the spin, and understand the selected activity.

DISPLAY → CLEAR

FILE 06

SAVE

Save activity wheels

Keep reusable wheels ready for different subjects, age groups, lesson goals, review units, learning stations, and classroom routines.

SETUP → FILED

FIELD REPORT 01

READING DESK

Reading Activities Guide

Choose comprehension prompts, vocabulary practice, character work, discussion tasks, and creative reading responses.

READ THE GUIDE

FIELD REPORT 02

WELCOME DESK

Icebreaker Activities Guide

Choose introductions, conversation prompts, quick games, team warm-ups, and virtual group activities.

READ THE GUIDE

FIELD REPORT 03

ROUTINES DESK

Classroom Management Guide

Use teacher-approved warm-ups, transitions, brain breaks, discussion formats, review tasks, and closing routines.

READ THE GUIDE

LATE EDITION CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES DESK

THE ACTIVITY MACHINE IS READY

Ready to choose the next classroom activity?

Set the learning goal, add activities that fit the learners and lesson, check the practical details, and spin when every displayed choice would work.

Spin the Classroom Activities Wheel Explore Education Wheels

Spin the wheel in your language

Spin the Wheel Lab offers supported pages and online wheel controls in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, and German. Enjoy the same interactive wheel spinner, custom decision wheel, and Fidget Wheel experience on one website.

English Español Français Português (Brasil) Deutsch

How to change the language

Open the language selector in the site menu or footer, choose your language, and Shopify will update the supported page and wheel interface automatically.

Your wheel choices and anything you type stay exactly as entered. Branded names such as Spin Studio and Fidget Wheel also remain in English.

How to use the free wheel spinner

Pick a ready-made wheel or add your own choices. Spins are unlimited.

Add names or choices

Keep the existing options, edit them, paste a spreadsheet column, or import a list of up to 1,000 entries.

Spin the wheel

Press Spin for one result. On supported wheels, you can also flick the wheel with a finger or pointer after the first button spin.

Choose what happens next

Spin again, remove the winner, or keep it in the wheel for another round.

Make the wheel yours

Open only the section you need. Available controls can vary by wheel and device.

Pick without repeats

Switch on Eliminate to remove each winner before the next round. Multi-pick runs several picks; Undo can restore a recent change.

Edit choices and odds

In Quick Tweaks, add, rename, sort, or shuffle entries, change colors, and adjust each option’s weight. A higher weight increases its chance of being picked.

Share or present

Create a link with your wheel setup or send a Spin Invite. Overlay Mode gives you a cleaner view for a shared screen. Keep private information out of option labels.

Start with a ready-made wheel

Snap Spins has free mini wheels for food, drinks, parties, activities, and breaks. Open a category and spin.

Paste or import a big list

Open Bulk Add to paste names from Excel or Google Sheets, one per line or separated by commas. For a file, import the first column of a CSV, TSV, or TXT. The wheel supports up to 1,000 entries; the editor shows 50 rows at a time.

Tune the spin in Spin Studio

Add a title and subtitle, set a countdown, and adjust available sounds, winner voice, confetti, and reveal effects. Teams and points can turn picks into a game. Some visual assets and advanced tools require a Lab Pack or Vortex Pro.

Keep track of winners

After a spin, you can spin again, remove the winner, pin the result in Winner's Vault, or assign points when player tools are active. The vault helps you remember picks across a session.

Use the wheel on a shared screen

Overlay Mode clears away most editing controls for classrooms, meetings, parties, or recordings. Compatible setups also offer Stream Mode with a transparent stage. Use the share controls to create a wheel link, Spin Invite, or Overlay link.

Save a wheel for later

Vortex Pro dashboards let you save custom wheels, organize them into boards, pin favorites, and duplicate versions. Look for Save or the dashboard control near the top of a wheel; a lock shows when the plan is required.

Understand weights and chance

With equal weights, options have equal chances. Increasing an option's weight makes it more likely, but never guarantees the next result. Spin Science can compare expected percentages with results from large test batches; it does not predict a future spin.

01 / WHEEL WORKSHOP

Build the wheel you actually need

Names, lists, colors, and a little controlled chaos.

Which wheel should I start with?

Start with the closest ready-made category: name picker, decision, prize, food and drink, education, games, numbers, and more. You can replace its entries afterward. Snap Spins are fastest when you want an instant answer with no setup.

Add, rename, or remove choices

Open Quick Tweaks to edit a segment directly. Add a new choice, change an existing label, or remove an option that no longer belongs. Check the final list before the first spin so every intended choice is present.

Paste or import from a spreadsheet

Bulk Add accepts a copied column from Excel or Google Sheets, or names separated by lines or commas. File import reads the first column of CSV, TSV, or TXT files. In Google Sheets, download a CSV or simply copy the cells and paste.

Style segments without losing readability

Choose a segment color and text color, then add stickers or full-segment textures when available. Check contrast after applying artwork. A locked design indicates a Lab Pack or Vortex Pro asset; the wheel itself remains free to spin.

Reuse a look with Brand Kit

Brand Kit helps you build a repeatable color and logo setup for your wheels. Saving, applying, and AI-assisted Brand Kit tools depend on your plan. Treat it as a design shortcut, not a requirement to make a wheel.

02 / SPIN ROOM

Set the stage, then spin

Controls for the pace, sound, and spectacle.

Button spin and finger flick

Press Spin to make one pick. After the first button spin, supported wheels can also be flicked with a mouse, pointer, or finger. If flicking does nothing, use the Spin button; it remains the reliable starting control.

Countdown and wheel identity

Spin Studio lets you give the wheel a title and subtitle and choose a countdown before the spin. A short instruction in the subtitle can tell guests what the result means. Available timing controls can vary by wheel.

Sound, voice, and device feedback

Turn wheel sounds on or off, choose an available winner voice, and edit the winning phrase where supported. Browser audio rules, device volume, haptics, and accessibility settings can change what people hear or feel.

The Center Vortex and Fidget Mode

Fidget Mode is a smaller interactive spinner around the center artwork, with speed, snap, and recenter controls where available. Use the main wheel when you need a choice from the segments; the center spinner is a separate playful control.

Make the reveal your own

Spin Studio and Creator Lab can change confetti, winner popups, center art, QR codes, images, and other effects where available. Creator Lab and some assets are Vortex Pro tools. Keep the winning choice easy to read through every effect.

Overlay Mode and keyboard shortcuts

Open or create an Overlay link to enter the cleaner presentation view. When you are not typing in a field: Space or Enter spins; Escape closes the result window or exits Overlay; P pins the displayed winner; Delete or Backspace removes the displayed winner; U undoes; M opens Multi-pick; and E announces the end-of-round winner when team scoring is active. Shortcuts apply in Overlay Mode only.

How to use Fidget Mode

Press and hold the Center Vortex artwork for about three quarters of a second until Fidget Mode opens.
Drag around the center and release to flick it. A quick tap can add a turbo nudge; swipe down, tap the close control, or start a regular spin to leave the mode.
Choose Slow, Normal, or Wild speed.
Turn Tick, Haptics, or Snap on when supported. Haptics depend on the device.
Use Stop / Re-center to settle the center artwork at its starting position.

03 / WINNER LAB

Run a clean round

Repeats, history, teams, and the odds behind the show.

Multi-pick versus Eliminate

Multi-pick runs several rounds automatically. Eliminate removes each winner before another round, so a picked option does not immediately return. Use both when you need several distinct names or prizes, and check the wheel before starting.

Undo a recent change

Undo can restore a recent wheel state, including an eliminated result. It is for quick corrections during the current work, not a permanent backup. Save important setups separately before making major changes.

What Winner’s Vault remembers

Pin a result to keep it in Winner’s Vault. Depending on active tools, a saved result can include the segment, points, player or team, date, and time. Use the vault to follow a classroom round, game, or draw.

Teams, players, and points

Set up players or teams in the available wheel tools, then attach points to winning results. Decide the scoring rule before spinning, and use the same rule each round. Controls can vary by wheel.

Weights and Spin Science

Equal weights give options equal chances; higher weight increases an option’s chance without guaranteeing a result. Spin Science runs large test batches and compares expected with observed percentages. It checks a setup; it cannot predict the next spin.

05 / HOW-TO BENCH

Do it step by step

The buttons, the order, and what to check before you send the wheel into the wild.

How to make a custom wheel spinner

Open Custom Wheel or any published wheel.
Open Quick Tweaks.
Replace the sample entries or choose Bulk Add for a full list.
Set colors, weights, stickers, or textures if needed.
Close the editor, check every option, and press Spin.

How to paste names from Excel or Google Sheets

Put one name or choice in each spreadsheet row.
Select and copy the cells from one column.
Open Quick Tweaks, then Bulk Add.
Paste the list and apply the change.
Scan for blank rows, headings, duplicates, or private information before spinning.

How to import CSV, TSV, or TXT

Prepare the entries in the first column of the file.
Open Quick Tweaks and choose the file-import control.
Select a CSV, TSV, or TXT file.
Review the imported entries; only the first column is used.
Remove headings or empty rows, then confirm the list.

How to pick several winners without repeats

Review the entries and decide how many winners you need.
Turn on Eliminate so each selected winner leaves the next round.
Use Multi-pick and set the available number of rounds, or spin one round at a time.
Start the picks and watch Winner’s Vault or the result panel.
Use Undo if you removed a result by mistake.

How to create a weighted wheel

Open Quick Tweaks and find the weight control for each option.
Leave all weights equal when every entry should have the same chance.
Increase only the options that should be more likely.
Review the visible balance before spinning.
Use Spin Science for a large test batch if you want to inspect the setup; a weight never guarantees one spin.

How to customize colors, stickers, and textures

Open Quick Tweaks and select an entry.
Choose its segment color and a readable text color.
Add a sticker for an icon on that segment or a texture for full-segment artwork.
Repeat only where the added artwork helps.
Close the panel and check labels on both desktop and mobile.

How to share a customized wheel

Finish the entries and settings first.
Open the sharing controls.
Choose Wheel link for the setup, Spin Invite for a message, or Overlay link for presentation mode.
Create and copy the link.
Open it in a private window to verify what recipients will see, then share it.

How to save a wheel to your Dashboard

Sign in with an account that has Vortex Pro.
Finish customizing the wheel.
Use Save or the dashboard-plus control near the top.
Name and save the wheel, then choose a board or favorite option if offered.
Open Dashboard to confirm it appears. Keep a separate copy of critical lists because browser or device data is not a backup.

06 / ACCESS & LANGUAGES

What is free, paid, and translated

No mystery locks. No multilingual mayhem. Professor Vortex labeled the drawers.

What is included for free?

Every published wheel can be opened, customized, and spun without a spin limit. The verified free core includes up to 1,000 entries, spreadsheet-style input and file import, weights, colors, Multi-pick, Eliminate, Undo, winner controls, teams and points, sound and voice options, sharing, Overlay Mode, and free Snap Spins. A control can vary by wheel or device.

What exactly is a Lab Pack?

A Lab Pack is your one-time ticket to one themed visual collection. Buy it once, keep it, and use its stickers, textures, and Center Vortex art across your wheels. Packs are $4.99 USD each. Pick one when a specific look has your name written all over it; the rest of the Lab keeps working exactly as before.

What exactly does Vortex Pro include?

Vortex Pro opens the whole creative laboratory for $9.99 USD per month: every premium sticker, texture, and center; Vortex AI and Inventor Lab; Creator Lab spin experiences, winner popups, QR actions, images, and custom confetti; Brand Kit tools; plus saved wheels, boards, favorites, duplicates, and dashboards. Spins are already unlimited. AI usage limits and subscription terms still apply, and you can cancel before the next renewal.

Lab Pack or Vortex Pro—which should I choose?

Choose a Lab Pack when you want one themed collection and prefer a one-time purchase. Choose Vortex Pro when you want the complete premium asset library, AI and creation tools, and saved Dashboard organization. Keep using the free wheel when you only need entries, customization, spinning, winner controls, and sharing.

Which languages are supported?

Supported pages and wheel controls are available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, and German. Open the language selector in the site menu or footer and choose a language; Shopify refreshes supported content and the wheel interface.

What does not get translated automatically?

Your wheel choices, names, prompts, and anything you type stay exactly as entered. Branded interface names such as Spin Studio, Fidget Mode, Snap Spins, Lab Packs, and Vortex Pro may remain in English. Some pages or features can have different levels of translated coverage.

Do purchases require an account?

No account is needed to open, customize, or spin published wheels. An account is used for purchases and for Vortex Pro features such as saved Dashboard organization. Sign in before expecting paid assets or saved wheels to follow your account.

07 / GRAB-AND-SPIN LISTS

Copy a little chaos

Press Copy, open Bulk Add, paste, and make the list yours. Professor Vortex already did the blank-page part.

Dinner rescue

Pizza
Tacos
Pasta
Stir-fry
Soup
Sandwiches
Breakfast for dinner
Leftovers remix

Classroom momentum

Warm-up question
Read aloud
Brain break
Team challenge
Review round
Creative prompt
Exit ticket
Wild card

Party chaos

Charades
Dance-off
Trivia
Karaoke
Two truths and a lie
Mystery snack
Photo challenge
Wild card

Quick reset

Stretch
Drink water
Five-minute walk
Clear the desk
Take five slow breaths
Doodle break
Play one song
Finish one tiny task

Chore roulette

Wash dishes
Take out trash
Vacuum
Start laundry
Clean bathroom
Tidy surfaces
Prep a meal
Choose the cleaning playlist

Prize wheel

Bonus point
Pick the snack
Choose the next game
Skip one chore
Mystery prize
Victory shout-out
Extra turn
Spin again

Free and optional

Published wheels are free to open, customize, and spin without a spin limit. Lab Packs are optional one-time design collections; Vortex Pro adds tools and assets through a subscription.

Language

Classroom Activities Guide

Turn the next suitable learning activity into a visible choice.

What is a classroom activities wheel?

Four moves. Lesson moving.

Choose the purpose

Add the activities

Review the details

Spin and teach

Put the wheel on the right learning beat.

Practice and review

Reading and writing

STEM exploration

Creative activities

Collaborative learning

Movement and resets

Better activities start with better controls.

Bulk add activities

Edit the activity list

Prevent repeats

Build an activity set

Use display modes

Save activity wheels

More reports from the learning desk.

Reading Activities Guide

Icebreaker Activities Guide

Classroom Management Guide

Ready to choose the next classroom activity?

Spin the wheel in your language

How to change the language

How to use the free wheel spinner

Add names or choices

Spin the wheel

Choose what happens next

Make the wheel yours

Build the wheel you actually need

Set the stage, then spin

Run a clean round

Send it, save it, level it up

Do it step by step

What is free, paid, and translated

Copy a little chaos

Dinner rescue

Classroom momentum

Party chaos

Quick reset

Chore roulette

Prize wheel

Do I need an account?

Can a result repeat?

Does it work on mobile?

Send a Lab Note

Where is Vortex?