Here’s a simple shift that can completely change the energy of your classroom while elevating student voice and choice.
Student Generated Questions.
It’s easy to implement, requires almost no prep, and gives students a sense of ownership in the conversation.
At the start of class, take one minute and invite students to write down a question they’re curious about. It could be something fun, something thoughtful, or something they genuinely want to hear others respond to.
No overthinking. Just curiosity.
Collect the questions and place them into a “question box” that you can pull from whenever you need a fresh conversation starter. It becomes a living collection of your students’ ideas, interests, and perspectives.
And here’s where it gets powerful…
When students hear a question that came from one of their peers, the engagement shifts. There’s a different level of investment. The conversation feels more relevant, more authentic, and more connected to the group itself.
This works really well as a supplement to your First Five routine, especially on days when you want to mix things up or bring in something that feels more student-driven.
A few simple ways to build this out:
- Rotate when you use student-generated questions so it stays fresh
- Let students submit questions anonymously to increase comfort
- Invite students to explain why they asked their question (optional)
- Keep a running collection so you always have go-to options ready
One quick reminder…
Always take a moment to review the questions before sharing them with the class. A quick scan helps ensure everything is appropriate and keeps the space safe and respectful for everyone.
Sometimes, the best questions in the room aren’t the ones we plan…
They’re the ones our students bring with them.
-Edtomorrow Team