Trying to settle your classroom in the morning can sometimes feel chaotic. Morning meetings may be the perfect solution to help your students calm down, focus, and prepare their minds for the day ahead.
An essential part of morning meetings is the inclusion of well-thought-out questions. These not only foster interaction but also encourage participation among your students.
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 to spur critical thinking and initiate conversation. These questions can relate to the current class topic, current events, students’ interests, or simply serve to inject a bit of fun into the meeting.
Aim to pose open-ended questions that promote deep thinking and facilitate a rich discussion, rather than those yielding only yes-or-no or short responses.
Morning Meeting Questions by Grade Level and Subject
We have curated a list of top morning meeting questions categorized by grade level and subject. Feel free to mix and match — many of these questions can work for different age groups.
You can plan these out by day, or opt for a spontaneous approach by drawing a random question from a container each day.
Elementary Morning Meeting Questions
Designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, these questions will foster a nurturing and interactive environment.
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 most challenging math problem you’ve solved? How did you tackle 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 unsolved 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 one 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 some people hesitate 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?
- Can you 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?
- Why is the peer-review process vital in scientific research?
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
- What role does music play in society, and where would we be without it?
- What are three predictions you have for your future?
- What three emojis best describe you?
- Who do you admire most, and why?
Why Are Morning Meeting Questions Important?
Students, irrespective of their age, tend to come in each morning with varied levels 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’ interest 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
The morning meeting questions highlighted above are just a starting point. Feel encouraged to build on this list, creating a reservoir of questions to sustain you throughout the year. Remember, the goal is to foster a community of learners eager to engage and learn from each other.