Back to school means getting to know a whole new group of students. Of course you want to know the usual things about them: What activities they are interested in or if they have siblings. But here are twelve questions you may want to ask your students to gain insight into what makes them tick and help them to start thinking about their own learning.
Use the responses to these questions to shape lessons that interest your students. The answers might help you launch a new way to teach a particular unit or add a new field trip to your curriculum. Asking deeper questions, like these, will get students pondering what they need to succeed and focus on how they will realize a productive school year.
Try asking your older students these questions the first week of school:
- When you have free time, what do you do?
- What do you like about your favorite class?
- What do you dislike about your least favorite class?
- If all of your classes could be about one thing, what would they be about?
- What does success in the classroom mean for you?
- Describe your favorite teacher/adult. What do you like most about him or her?
- How is your room or backpack organized?
- Do you like to work by yourself or in groups?
- Describe a moment you are most proud of.
- If you offered to use one of your talents to help a friend, how would you help them?
- What are your expectations for the class and teacher this year?
- How do you know when to ask for help?