Choose a suitable question
A bracket can help a class compare favorite books, design ideas, or project proposals. State what “winning” means. Is the class voting for a favorite, evaluating against criteria, or choosing something to do next? A clear purpose prevents the final result from being presented as an objective ranking when it is only a group preference.
Prepare fair pairings
Enter one option per line and check the opening pairs. For a small class, eight options are easy to discuss. If options come from students, decide whether names should be removed to reduce social pressure. Give each option a short description outside the bracket so voters know what they are comparing.
Run each round
Allow time for discussion before selecting winners. A show of hands, anonymous vote, or teacher decision can each work if the method is announced in advance. Record the result in the tool after the decision. Changing a previous result clears dependent later choices, so explain any correction before moving on.
Reflect afterward
Ask what the bracket made easy to compare and what it hid. Strong options can meet in the first round, so the champion is not a complete ranking of all entries. If the class needs a rigorous evaluation, use a rubric or multiple rounds of feedback alongside the bracket.
Practical check
Try a reflection question before announcing the final result: “Which option would you still recommend even though it lost its first match?” Students may notice that placement changes a bracket’s story. Record those reasons alongside the champion. The class then has a richer discussion than a single winner label can provide, especially for books or project ideas.
Have a correction or a suggestion? Tell the studio.