Cultural Synchronization Questions
What questions might you ask focal student in an informal one-to-one?
What types of activities and/or traditions do you do with your family?
Do you have any special family meals over the weekend? If so, what do you eat?
Who are some family members that you are close with that don’t live with you? When do you see them and what kinds of things do you do?
What are the various kinds of music your family plays at home? Which is your favorite?
What radio stations do you listen to?
What are 2-3 of your favorite songs right now?
What chores or responsibilities do you have at home?
What’s your favorite family tradition?
What are important holidays that you celebrate?
Do you play video or online games? If so, what are your favorites?
What sports do you enjoy watching or playing?
What do you like to watch on TV? What do you like about that show?
What do you like to read?
When you are having a bad day, what friends or staff do you turn to?
When was the last time you felt listened to?
What embarrasses you? What frightens you? What makes you mad or angry?
What is your favorite color? How does this color show-up in your life? (e.g., clothes, shoes, accessories, binder, etc.)
Who do you want to be like in life? (who do you look up to?)
Who’s that on your shirt/notebook/binder/etc.?
What do you see yourself doing when you are a grown-up?
What is something that you are you proud of?
What is your most prized possession?
What do you like to do over three day weekends and holiday breaks? On the weekends?
What do you like to eat for lunch? Where do you eat lunch during the school day? With who?
Who from this school do you hang out with outside of school?
Which teachers/staff did you connect with most at school last year? Why? (who gets you?)
Which teachers/staff do you connect with this year?
Who is the funniest teacher you’ve ever had? How were they funny?
Who was the meanest teacher you’ve even had? What did they do?
Which teacher (going back to Kindergarten) helped you learn and grow the most? What kinds of things did they do? What was your best memory of elementary school?
Considerations
Don’t make assumptions about students’ background knowledge or students’ interests, parents’ intentions. Put aside preconceived ideas, and refrain from passing judgment.
Ask follow up questions.
Find ways to make connections to your own personal experiences.
Paraphrase—restate in your own words—what you think the student has said (show you’re listening).