A question of the day is a fun routine to use during morning meetings or to start the day as kids enter the classroom. Ask students a question of the day to improve friendships, build community, and encourage participation from the start.
How to Use a Question of the Day for Students in K-2
A question of the day is a simple yet powerful classroom routine. A question of the day is a valuable conversation starter that encourages kids to connect with you. It challenges students to engage with certain topics and build communication skills. It can be part of your classroom management toolkit, helping set a positive tone.
Having a question of the day ready for students to answer each day creates positive energy and excitement in the room. I like to ask quick “yes” or “no” questions rather than open-ended ones, and have students answer one each morning when they come in. They go straight to the board, read the question to themselves, and answer it accordingly.
This also gives students a chance to practice reading. I also enjoy the question portion of our morning meeting, where I get to know students better through the open-ended questions we ask.
How to Display a Question of the Day
How you display your question of the day is, of course, up to you. But I have a few simple suggestions for you to try!
One way I have found easy and effective is to use a big drip pan mounted on a bulletin board. At the top of the pan, you can place the question card for the day. Use colored masking tape to mark off two sections of the board, and use bulletin board letters to give two answer choices: “yes” or “no.” For each student, make a name card and add magnetic tape so you can place their name under the appropriate answer.
You could also display the question of the day in a pocket chart. This system lets you switch cards out quickly each day. You could choose to have students place their name cards under their answer or respond in a student response booklet or journal.
Either way you use a question of the day, you’ll find it useful for taking attendance, connecting with students, adding questions to your morning meeting, and more!
How to Use Question of the Day to Spark Discussion
Another way to use a question of the day is to have question cards on a ring to grab and use during transitions. Then use a question to spark conversation, promote engagement, or check in with your students. Kids love to build those connections with you.
Reading thought-provoking questions might be something you do when it is time to go outside. For example, each kid must answer the question to get out the door. They are also a great management tool to capture students’ attention if they are getting out of hand or need a change of pace.
30 Questions to Ask Your Students
Kids love to share about themselves, and using a routine like answering questions daily builds connections. Make it fun, and listen to their answers! You could also let the question of the day spark a writing assignment or journal entry. Be creative!
Below are some questions of the day for students to get you started.
- Have you seen a rainbow?
- Is your hair short?
- Do you have a sister?
- Can you tie your shoelaces?
- Are you a fast runner?
- Do you take the bus to school?
- Can you do a cartwheel?
- Do you know your address?
- Do you like broccoli?
- Have you ever been on a boat?
- Do you like to play in the snow?
- Do you have a cat?
- Is it cloudy outside?
- Do you have a dog?
- Have you ever seen a frog?
- Have you ever seen an egg hatch?
- Can you fly a kite?
- Can you sing “Mary Had a Little Lamb”?
- Are you tall?
- Can you count to 100?
- Can you swim?
- Do you like apples?
- Did you wear a hat to school?
- Do you know karate?
- Are you happy to be at school?
- Can you draw a tree?
- Does your name have six letters?
- Do you have a garden?
- Do you like to jump in puddles?
- Have you planted a seed?
Our Question of the Day Resources Make It Easy.
Check out our Question of the Day Bundle for the whole school year! This useful bundle includes ready-to-print cards and done-for-you slides with seasonal and general questions for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade.
With 10 months of questions ready at your fingertips, you’ll be ready to start this routine immediately. Students will love the student booklets for recording their responses!
You can print them and use them immediately, saving you the work of creating them yourself.
Free Question of the Day Sample Week
To give you a taste of what you would receive with my complete bundle, check out this FREE sample of a week’s worth of question-of-the-day cards and a student response booklet.
They are bright, colorful, and ready to print. Give them a try in your classroom today!
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