It happens every year in August and September. Kids return to school, and you hear the same question asked by co-workers, students, parents, and friends. Usually, the answer is as follows: “Oh, it was good, [insert a detail about your weekend trip to the beach].” But this question does little to build a relationship or develop a connection – both of which are extremely important to the new children in your class this year!
So take a chance! Take a risk! Ask the questions that dive deep! You’ll learn something new about your new students and your old co-workers if you choose one of these questions over the generic “How was your summer?”
Alternative Questions to “How Was Your Summer?”
- What was something you didn’t do this summer?
- Tell me about a unique person you met this summer.
- What was your most memorable moment of the summer?
- Tell me one thing you learned.
- Who was the person you spent the most time with this summer?
- What is the best meal you ate?
- Tell me about something that you wish you had taken a photo of.
- What was the most educational thing you did?
- Tell me about your favorite thing that you bought this summer.
- Talk about something you made this summer
- Pick three words to describe your summer.
- What books did you read?
- What was your “high,” and what was your “low”?
- What was the kindest thing you saw?
- What was the kindest thing you did?
- Tell me about something that surprised you this summer.
- What was your biggest challenge?
- What is one thing you’ve been looking forward to in the new school year?
- What would it be if you could change one thing about your summer?
- How did you change/grow over the summer?
- What made you feel proud?
- What made you feel loved?
- What do you want to do this school year?
- What do you think you could teach the class?
- What made you laugh the most?
- If your stuffed animals could tell me about your summer, what would they say?
- Draw a picture of your favorite summer moment.
- Did you build a fort? Do you have any tips for creating a good defense?
- How many animals did you see?
- What is one thing you used to need an adult’s help for that you could do on your own this summer?
- Did you grow any plants or vegetables in a garden? If not, what would you want to grow?
- How did you make somebody happy over the summer?
- What was the best place you visited over the summer?
- Tell me about something cool that you saw outside in nature.
- What frustrated you most over the summer?
- Did you celebrate any holidays over the summer? Any birthdays?
- What was the grossest thing you ate?
- What new rules did you have to follow this summer? Were there any rules you had to follow last summer but didn’t have to follow this year?
- Tell me something that made you smarter over the summer.
- What did you daydream about?
- Tell me something about you that changed over the summer.
- What did you do with your friends over the summer?
- Did you make any memories that you will remember forever?
- What did you look forward to most over the summer?
- Did you go to the beach? Tell me about that!
- What made you feel brave?
- How did you help others over the summer?
- What are you most thankful for?
- What would it be called if you could make a play/book/game about your summer?
- What are three things you want to do this school year?
- How did you keep in touch with your friends over the summer?
More Fun Questions to Ask Your Students.
- How would you do it if you wanted to make everyone in the class smile?
- If you had a time machine, when would you go?
- How would you describe the school if you were tiny, like a mouse?
- What do you look forward to every day?
- When was the last time you felt lonely? How did you make yourself feel better?
- If you could only eat food of the same color for the rest of your life, what color would it be?
- What is the worst thing you’ve ever eaten?
- Do you think your pet’s dream? What do they dream about?
- If you could invent a dance move, what would it be? Can you show me?
- If your life could be a tv show, what would it be called?
- If you were the only person on Earth, what would you do?
- What is the silliest thing you’ve ever done?
- What is your favorite season? Why?
- What are you most thankful for?
- Who would you choose if you had to pick someone else to be you for a day?
- Now reverse! Who would you be if you had to be someone else for a day?
- What would you name a hurricane?
- What animal would you choose if you had to spend the day as an animal? What would you have to do differently?
- What would your toys do while you’re at school if your toys could come to life?
- How would your friends describe you?
- If you had a million dollars, how would you spend it?
- If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?
- What is something that you don’t understand about grownups?
- What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?
- What is the greatest thing about being you?
- Do you notice anyone who needs some extra kindness today? What could you do for them?
- What is the most popular thing to do at recess?
- If one of your classmates could be a teacher for a day, who would you want it to be and why?
- If you could be a teacher, what would you teach the class?
- What subject do you want to learn that isn’t taught in school?
- What do you wish your friends knew about you?
- If you could know anything about your future, what would it be?
- If you could change your name, what would it be?
- Do you know anyone who is going through a tough time? How can you help them?
- What is your favorite way to be comforted when you’re upset?
- When are you most proud of your mom and dad?
- What is the funniest word you know?
- If you could name your color, what would the color be, and what would you call it?
- If you opened your store, what would you sell?
- If you could design a treehouse, what would you put in it?
- Describe your perfect day.
- What do you do when people don’t want to be your friend?
- What would it be if you could choose one thing to bring with you everywhere?
- Have you ever felt misunderstood? What did you do? What do you think would help you feel more understood?
- What do you love doing with your parents?
- How are your mom and dad different?
- If you could grow any food at all (it doesn’t need to be a fruit or vegetable), what would it be?
- What rules do you dislike following?
- What can I do to be a better teacher for you?
- What compliment makes you feel good about yourself?
