I love the start of the new school year for many reasons,
but maybe the best is the feeling of a fresh start. Summer is an opportunity to reflect on the
past year and every August is an opportunity to turn those reflections into something
better.
When I was in the classroom, I was usually exhausted by the
end of the day. However, I had to make
the transition from teacher to mom very quickly because as my last student left
my own children entered. They were
usually tired too (and hungry), but I’d do my parent duty and ask “How Was Your
Day” and they usually muttered, “Fine.” That was that.
Recently, I found an article on social media titled, 50
Things to Ask Your Kids After School Instead of “How Was Your Day?” This is copied from herviewfromhome.com and
great question stems for parents and guardians to have a better conversation
about school. Try a few out and let me
know how it goes.
1.
What made you smile today?
2.
Can you tell me an example of kindness you
saw/showed?
3.
Was there an example of unkindness? How did
you respond?
4.
Does everyone have a friend at recess?
5.
What was the book about that your teacher
read?
6.
What’s the word of the week?
7.
Did anyone do anything silly to make you
laugh?
8.
Did anyone cry?
9.
What did you do that was creative?
10. What is the
most popular game at recess?
11. What was the
best thing that happened today?
12. Did you help
anyone today?
13. Did you tell
anyone “thank you?”
14. Who did you sit
with at lunch?
15. What made you
laugh?
16. Did you learn
something you didn’t understand?
17. Who inspired
you today?
18. What was the
peak and the pit?
20. Was anyone in
your class gone today?
21. Did you ever
feel unsafe?
22. What is
something you heard that surprised you?
23. What is
something you saw that made you think?
24. Who did you
play with today?
25. Tell me
something you know today that you didn’t know yesterday.
26. What is
something that challenged you?
27. How did someone
fill your bucket today? Whose bucket did you fill?
28. Did you like
your lunch?
29. Rate your day
on a scale from 1-10.
30. Did anyone get
in trouble today?
31. How were you
brave today?
32. What questions
did you ask at school today?
33. Tell us your
top two things from the day (before you can be excused from the dinner
table!).
34. What are you
looking forward to tomorrow?
35. What are you
reading?
36. What was the
hardest rule to follow today?
37. Teach me
something I don’t know.
38. If you could
change one thing about your day, what would it be?
39. (For older
kids): Do you feel prepared for your history test?” or, “Is there
anything on your mind that you’d like to talk about?” (In my opinion, the key
is not only the way a question is phrased, but responding in a supportive way.)
40. Who did you
share your snacks with at lunch?
41. What made your
teacher smile? What made her frown?
42. What kind of
person were you today?
43. What made you
feel happy?
44. What made you
feel proud?
45. What made you
feel loved?
46. Did you learn
any new words today?
47. What do you
hope to do before school is out for the year?
48. If you could
switch seats with anyone in class, who would it be? And why?
49. What is your
favorite part of the school building? And least favorite?
50. If you switched
places with your teacher tomorrow, what would you teach the class?
As we begin this school year, I encourage everyone to
realize how important their role is in the life of a child. Be involved with
what they are learning and doing during their school day.
I look forward to what this school year will bring! Welcome
back, everyone!
