November Question of the Day Ideas for 1st to 3rd Grade
November is a busy month for teachers. Report cards, parent conferences, and shorter days can leave you stretched thin.
A November question of the day is a routine that almost runs itself. Students know what to do, so you get a few quiet minutes in the morning. Here are some of my favorite November questions and a 5-day plan.
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 November?
Good November questions connect to colder weather, animals getting ready for winter, and things kids wonder about. A few word questions add some language arts too.
Here are some questions from my November set.
Getting colder
Why does it snow?
Can frogs survive being frozen?
How do clouds float?
Why do some leaves change color?
Animals
What is a baby porcupine called?
What animal sleeps the longest?
How can turtles go into their shells?
How fast can insects fly?
Wonder and words
How do fireworks work?
Can you see rainbows in space?
Where is the hottest place on Earth?
What does "apple of my eye" mean?
What is a rambutan?
How Can You Connect These Questions to November?
Use the cold weather questions as the first snow arrives, the animal questions during a winter animals unit, and the word question during a lesson on sayings.
Ask "Why does it snow?" on the first snowy or frosty morning.
Pair "Can frogs survive being frozen?" with a unit on how animals get ready for winter.
Use "What does 'apple of my eye' mean?" to start a lesson on sayings and idioms.
After students research "What is a rambutan?" show a picture of the fruit. If you can find one at the store, bring it in for students to see.
A 5-Day Plan for November
By November, most students know the routine. Let them work with partners or on their own while you focus on conferences and small groups.
Monday: Why does it snow? Students work with a partner.
Tuesday: Can frogs survive being frozen? Students work with a partner.
Wednesday: What is a baby porcupine called? Students try it on their own.
Thursday: What does "apple of my eye" mean? Students try it on their own.
Friday: What is a rambutan? Students research on their own, then share with the class.
Teacher Tip for November
On busy weeks, put the questions on a ring at a research center. Students go to the center when they finish other work. The routine keeps going even when your schedule changes.
For more ways to run the routine, read How to Use a Question of the Day to Build Research Skills.
Where Can You Get All 25 November Question of the Day Questions?
My November 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 December inquiry questions.
Try four questions free. Get a free question of the day sample in all four formats, ready to print.
