- What is the scariest thing about becoming an adult?
- What is something you want to learn that they don’t teach you in school?
- If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? Why do you think people give up on their dreams?
- If you could be famous, what would you be famous for?
- If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
- If you could bring back one person from the dead, who would it be?
- What is the first step toward ending racism?
- Why do you think we need to go to school?
- What is your most important goal right now?
- What is one lesson that you had to learn the hard way and what did you learn?
- What is the worst crime against humanity?
- What are your three best and worst qualities?
- What is your most prized possession and why?
- What do you like most about yourself?
- If you could teach any class, what would it be?
- If you could have any talent, what would it be?
- When do you feel the most protected?
- Do you believe a person is defined by what he or she does for a living?
- What is your greatest fear about having children?
- What is one of your most beautiful childhood memories?
- What makes you angry and how can you change that?
- How do you think others view you and why?
- What is a piece of wisdom that you would pass on to your kids about being your age?
- What question would you like to be asked?
- What is your biggest accomplishment and why?
- What is something you wish you could change about your life?
- What is your greatest fear?
- If you could change one law, what would it be?
- What are three traits you look for in a friend?
- If you could visit any time period, which would you choose?
- Would you rather have a job with average pay that you love or a job with great pay that you hate?
- What language would you like to speak fluently?
- If you could supersize one of your senses, which one would it be? (taste, sight, touch, hearing, smell)
- What makes you happy?
- If you could make any dish in the world, what would you make?
- Do you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist?
- Who is someone that you admire and why?
- Would you rather live in the city or in the country?
- What is an essential life skill you need in order to live on your own?
- What is a misconception that people have about you?
- Where is your favorite place to read?
- What historical person do you admire and why?
- If you could rename the Golden Gate Bridge, what would you call it?
- Would you rather explore the deep sea or outer space?
- What do you do when you are talking with friends and someone makes an offensive (i.e. racist, sexist, homophobic) comment?
- Which is more powerful: love or hate?
- What is one goal you want to achieve in the next year?
- What does loyalty mean to you?
- If your life had a soundtrack, what would be theme song and why?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
- If you won I Million dollars and could use it for anything but yourself, how would you use it?
- Does climate change concern you?
- Why or why not?
- What is one thing you wish adults understood better about young people and why?
- What is one thing you wish you understood better about adults and why?
- If you could meet one historical figure, living or dead, who would it be and why?
- If you had 5 minutes to meet with the US President, what would you say?
- If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 things what would you bring and why?
- What is one thing people don’t know about you that you wish they knew?
- Who is your favorite character in a book and why?
- Do you think people under 18 should be allowed to vote? Why?
Sample Question Cards
Place of Learning:
Summary:
This resource provides a set of open-ended questions intended to spur conversation and reflective thinking among students. At the Edible Schoolyard Berkeley, these questions are hand-written on index cards and are used in the kitchen classroom to encourage communication around the table.
Additional Resources