Ways to Ask How was school today?

Ways to Ask How was school today?

It never fails, when I pick up our daughter (a/k/a Excitedly Eight) from school, I always ask “How was school?” and inevitably the response is, “Fine” or “Good.” Ugh. I really want her to gush about this story or that. But nada. Zippo. After our “lively” exchange, she picks up a book and reads and I proceed to roll my eyes.  Yes, we do have a bit of a role reversal going on. What on earth is a mother to do?!?!

I think that I really need to start getting better at asking better questions. I mean come on, I want to actually know what goes on when Excitedly Eight is at school!

The Silver Lining is that recently I came across an article by mother, blogger, and former teacher Liz Evans who shared 25 questions on her blog that she believes will get your kids to spill:

1. What was the best thing that happened as school today? ( What was the worst thing that happened as school today?)
2. Tell me something that made you laugh today.
3. If you could choose what would you like to sit by in class? (who would you NOT want to sit by in class? Why?)
4. Where is the coolest place at school?
5. Tell me a weird word that you heard today. (Or something weird that someone said.)
6. If I called your teacher tonight what would she tell me about you?
7. How did you help somebody today?
8. How did somebody help you today?
9. Tell me one thing that you learned today.
10. When were you happiest today?
11. When were you bored today?
12. If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed up someone who would you want them to take?
13. Who would you like to play with at recess that you’ve never played with before?
14. Tell me something good that happened today.
15. What word did your teacher say most today?
16. What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?
17. What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?
18. Who in your class do you think you could be nicer to?
19. Where do you play at the most at recess?
20. Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?
21. What was your favorite part of lunch?
22. If you had the opportunity to be a teacher tomorrow what would you teach about?
23. Is there anyone in your class that needs a time out?
24. If you could switch seats with anyone in the class who would you trade with? Why?
25. Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school?

Have you tried any of these?  If so, which  questions did you find most helpful?  Have any to add?  Clearly, I need all the help that I can get!