Do you ever try to get your classroom settled in the mornings and feel like everything is chaotic? Morning meetings may be the perfect way to get your students to settle down, focus, and prepare their minds for the day ahead.
An important part of a morning meeting is morning meeting questions. These questions give your kids a chance to interact and participate.
However, you may worry that you’ll run of morning meeting questions over the course of a school year. Fortunately, we’ve compiled lists of ideas for every grade and subject.
What Are Morning Meeting Questions?
Morning meeting questions are questions that you ask your students at the beginning of the day. These questions can be related to what your class is currently learning or a current event. They can also be related to your students’ interests or just be funny morning meeting questions.
Morning meeting questions are usually open-ended. A yes or no answer or short answer isn’t sufficient. You want to ask questions that make students think and facilitate a conversation.
Morning Meeting Questions by Grade Level and Subject
Below we’ve listed out our top morning meeting share ideas by grade level and subject. Be sure to mix and match though, as some can be used with any age. You can plan these out by day, or put them in a container and draw one each day at random.
Elementary Morning Meeting Questions
These questions are designed for teachers to use with students from kindergarten to fifth grade.
English / Language Arts
- What was the most surprising part of [last book the class read]?
- Who is your favorite book character? Why?
- If you could write a book, what would it be about?
Math
- What’s the hardest math problem you’ve ever done? How did you solve it?
- Why is it important to check your work in math?
Science
- Scientists just discovered a new planet. What’s its name and what is it like?
- You’re stuck on a deserted island. What three things are you bringing with you? Why?
Social Studies / History
- If you could change any school rule, which one would you change and why?
- If you had a time machine, what time in history would you travel to? Why?
General
- If you had to give up one of your favorite foods, which would it be and why?
- What would the “best day ever” look like?
- What was the most important thing you learned yesterday?
- If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go? Why?
- What wild animal would you have for a pet?
Middle School Morning Meeting Questions
These questions are designed for teachers to use with students from sixth to eighth grade.
English / Language Arts
- What do you find challenging about writing?
- What is the best book you’ve ever read? What made it so special?
Math
- Why do so many students dislike math?
- Why is it important to show your work in math?
Science
- What do you think is the biggest scientific mystery?
- What do you think life will look like in 50 years? 100 years?
- What are the steps in the scientific method? Why is it important for experiments to follow these steps?
Social Studies / History
- If you could change any law, which would it be and why?
- What do you think is humankind’s greatest invention?
General
- What’s your earliest memory?
- What motivates you to do well in school?
- What makes someone a good friend?
- Who is your hero? Why?
High School Morning Meeting Questions
These questions are designed for teachers to use with students from ninth to twelfth grade.
English / Language Arts
- Why do you think people are afraid to share their writing with others?
- Which is more important in a story: the plot or the characters?
- What do you think is the greatest book of all time (not your favorite – just the best overall)? Why?
Math
- Where do you struggle with math?
- Explain the concept of infinity.
Science
- What do you think will be the biggest scientific discovery in the next 30 years?
- What is one thing you think science will never be able to explain?
- What does it mean when we say an experiment is peer-reviewed? Why is peer review important?
Social Studies / History
- Is it ever okay for someone to break the law? Explain.
- “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it?” What do you think this quote from Winston Churchill means? Put it in its historical context.
General
- Why is music so important? Where would the world be without music?
- What are three predictions you have for your future?
- What three emojis best describe you?
- Who do you admire most? Why?
Why Are Morning Meeting Questions Important?
Whether you teach younger or older students, you’ve likely noticed that they come in each morning with a lack of focus.
They’re busy talking to friends, finding their things, or doing stuff other than getting their minds ready to learn. Kids often struggle with transitions, and the transition from home to school is often one of the most difficult.
A morning meeting with thought-provoking questions is a low-pressure way to get your students prepared for the day. It lets them focus their minds and get them in school mode.
How to Use Morning Meeting Questions
Morning questions for students are often a good way to bridge the gap between what was learned yesterday and what will be learned today. You can even use the questions to pique students’ interests in a new topic.
You can also use morning meeting questions for kids to learn more about your students and let them get to know one another better. These questions are particularly good at the beginning of the year but can be used at any time. Fun and silly questions are another good way to encourage bonding in your class.
Wrapping Up
These morning meeting questions are just a few of the many great questions you can ask your students. Use these as a jumping-off point to create enough for the rest of the year.