January Question of the Day Ideas for 1st to 3rd Grade
Coming back after winter break is hard. Students are tired, the routine feels rusty, and you need something calm to start the day.
A January question of the day gives students a reason to settle in, open a book, and get curious again. Each question takes about 10 minutes to research. Below are some of my favorite January questions, a 5-day plan, and a free sample to get you started.
New to question of the day? Try four questions free, with booklet pages for recording answers. Get the free sample.
What Are Good Inquiry Questions for January?
Good January questions connect to winter, cold places, and animals that hibernate. Add a few science questions students can answer with one book or website.
Here are some questions from my January set.
Winter and cold places
How do animals survive in the Arctic?
Could a polar bear survive in the African desert?
Why do some animals hibernate?
Why does the temperature change?
Animals
How do geckos walk on ceilings?
What bird can fly backwards?
Why do frogs croak?
Do insects sleep?
Science and wonder
How does a magnifying glass work?
Why do bubbles float?
What would happen if the Earth had no moon?
What color were dinosaurs?
I won't give away the answers. That's your students' job!
How Can You Connect These Questions to January?
Use the winter questions during a winter or animal unit. Use the science questions as a quick warm-up before a science lesson.
Pair the Arctic and hibernation questions with a winter animals unit.
Use "Why does the temperature change?" during a weather unit.
Ask the polar bear question after reading a nonfiction book about polar bears.
Hand out a magnifying glass after students research how one works. They will want to test it right away.
A 5-Day Plan to Restart Your Routine
Start the new year with five quick questions, one per day. Model the first one together. By Friday, students research on their own.
Monday: Why do some animals hibernate? Research it together. Show students how you find the answer and write it in your own words.
Tuesday: How do animals survive in the Arctic? Students work with a partner.
Wednesday: Why do bubbles float? Students work with a partner again.
Thursday: What bird can fly backwards? Students try it on their own.
Friday: Could a polar bear survive in the African desert? Students research on their own, then share with the class.
Teacher Tip for January
After a long break, start smaller than you think. Use one source for everyone the first week. Add more sources once the routine feels smooth again.
For the full routine, read How to Use a Question of the Day to Build Research Skills.
Where Can You Get All 25 January Question of the Day Questions?
My January set has 25 inquiry questions, one for each school day of the month. It comes in four formats: question cards, questions on rings, cut and paste, and no prep booklets. Booklet covers come in color and black and white, with regular lines and primary lines.
Not sure which format fits your class? Read Which Question of the Day Format Is Right for Your Class?
Planning ahead? Here are my February inquiry questions.
Try four questions free. Get a free question of the day sample in all four formats, ready to print.
