How to Use a Question of the Day to Build Research Skills

Why do giraffes have long necks?

Ask your class that question and watch the hands go up. Kids in 1st to 3rd grade are full of questions. An inquiry question of the day turns that curiosity into a daily research habit.

In this post, you will learn what a question of the day is, how to run it in about 10 minutes, and how to change it for every learner. You can also grab a free sample with four questions to try this week.

Try it free this week. Get four sample inquiry questions in four formats, plus booklet pages for recording answers. Get the free Question of the Day sample.

What Is an Inquiry Question of the Day?

An inquiry question of the day is one short question students research each day. They look in a book, a magazine, or a website and write the answer.

Inquiry simply means asking questions and finding answers. A full inquiry project can take a few weeks. A question of the day is the small, daily version.

The questions are meant to be quick to research. Here are a few examples:

• Why do giraffes have long necks?

• Why do some chickens lay colored eggs?

• Why is the ocean blue?

• Why do ladybugs have spots?

Students find the answer and record it in a question of the day booklet. Over time, that booklet fills up with facts they found on their own.

Why Does a Daily Question Build Research Skills?

Short daily practice builds the habit. Each day, students find a source, look for one fact, and write it down. Doing it often makes research feel normal.

Here is what students practice each time:

• Where answers live. They learn to use nonfiction books, magazines, and kid-safe websites.

• Reading for one fact. They do not need to read the whole book. They look for the part that answers the question.

• Writing in their own words. Students write in their own words, not copied from the book. (If this is hard for your class, read How to Teach Kids to Write Jot Notes.)

• Confidence. Every day has a small win. "I found it!"

This daily routine also supports the writing standards for gathering information from sources to answer a question (W.1.8, W.2.8, and W.3.8).

How Do You Run a Question of the Day in Your Classroom?

Share the question, discuss where to look, give students time to search, record the answer, and share. The whole routine takes about 10 minutes.

Let's break this down:

1. Share the question. Read it aloud and post it where everyone can see it.

2. Talk about where to look. Ask, "Where could we find this answer?" A nonfiction book about birds? A magazine like National Geographic Kids? A website you have bookmarked?

3. Give search time. Five to ten minutes is plenty. Partners work well, especially at the start of the year.

4. Record the answer. Students write the answer in their booklet. Younger students can add a picture.

5. Share. Ask two or three students what they found and where they found it.

Teacher tip: Keep a basket of nonfiction books and magazines near your question-of-the-day spot. Bookmark two or three kid-friendly websites on your classroom devices. Students spend less time hunting and more time reading.

You can give everyone the same question, or let students choose from a few questions. Choice works well once students know the routine.

When Can You Fit It Into Your Day?

A question of the day fits into morning work, literacy centers, early finisher time, or a science warm-up. Pick one time and keep it the same each day.

Here are some places teachers use it:

• Morning work. Students come in, read the question, and start looking.

• Literacy centers. Set up a research station with books and a tablet.

• Early finishers. Students who finish early have something meaningful to do.

• Science or social studies warm-up. Choose a question that fits your unit.

• Small groups. Special education teachers can use it for focused reading and writing practice.

• Homeschool. It makes a calm start to the school day.

How Do You Differentiate a Question of the Day?

Change the number of sources and the amount of writing. Students who struggle use one source. Students who need a challenge use two or three sources and add an introduction and conclusion.

Every student can answer the same question. You only change what you ask them to do with it.

For students who need more support:

• Use one source.

• Read the source aloud or work with a partner.

• Write one sentence and draw a picture.

• Use the booklet pages with primary lines.

For students who are on track:

• Use one or two sources.

• Write two or three sentences.

For students who need a challenge:

• Use two or three sources.

• Write an introduction sentence, the facts, and a concluding sentence.

• Check if the sources agree with each other.

For more ideas, read How to Differentiate Inquiry-Based Learning for Every Kind of Learner.

What Do You Need to Get Started?

You need a daily question, a few sources, and a place for students to write. A simple booklet keeps all answers in one place.

Use this checklist:

• A question for each day

• A basket of nonfiction books and magazines

• Two or three kid-safe websites bookmarked

• A booklet or journal for each student

• A set time in your daily schedule

You can write your own questions. If you would rather save planning time, I have monthly sets with 25 questions each. They come in four formats: question cards, questions on rings, cut-and-paste, and no-prep booklets.

Each set includes booklet covers and pages in color and black and white, with regular lines and primary lines.

Not sure which format to pick? Read Which Question of the Day Format Is Right for Your Class?

How Does a Question of the Day Connect to Bigger Inquiry Projects?

The daily question teaches the same skills as a full inquiry project: ask, find, record, and share. Students are ready when you start a longer unit.

After a few weeks of daily questions, your students know where to look for answers. They know how to write a fact in their own words. That makes a big inquiry project feel much easier.

When you are ready for the next step, these posts will help:

• How to Teach Inquiry-Based Learning in Grades 1 to 3

• Explore These Inquiry-Based Learning Topics With Your Class

• Inquiry-Based Learning Templates You Can Use All Year Long

You can also grab the Free Inquiry Starter Kit, or see every project in the Inquiry-Based Learning BUNDLE.

Start With Four Free Questions

You don't have to do it all. Just start somewhere. One question tomorrow morning is enough.

The free sample gives you four inquiry questions in all four formats, plus booklet pages for your students. Print it, pick a question, and see how your class responds.

Get the free Question of the Day sample. Four questions, four formats, and booklet pages, ready to print.

Send Me the Questions