In a world focused on the daily hustle and bustle, your middle schoolers need opportunities to slow down and think critically about the deeper things in life. When learners engage in high-order thinking, their focus narrows as they analyze information from a variety of personal background experiences and sources. Not only do our journal prompts aim to enhance your students’ complex reasoning abilities, but they also strive to provide character growth opportunities as well! Use our collection as a critical-thinking springboard for your middle schoolers!
1. If you could change one rule at school, what would it be and why?
2. What is one thing you wish adults understood about being a middle school student today?
3. If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
4. Write about a time when you felt truly proud of yourself. What happened, and why did it make you feel this way?
5. If you could invent a new subject that would be taught in schools, what would it be? Explain why it’s important.
6. What are the three most important qualities a leader should have? Provide examples of leaders who embody these qualities.
7. Is there a difference between making a mistake and failing? Explain your thoughts.
8. If you could solve one world problem, what would it be and why?
9. What would you do if you were president for a day?
10. How does the music we listen to influence us?
11. How can you show more empathy towards people who are different from you?
12. What is your definition of success?
13. What does it mean to be a good friend?
14. How does social media influence our perception of reality?
15. How would you feel if money didn’t exist? How would the world change?
16. What does courage look like to you?
17. Describe a difficult decision you had to make. How did you decide what to do?
18. Is it more important to be a good listener or a good speaker?
19. If you could give any piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
20. How can one person make a difference in the world?
21. What is something you believe in that others might not agree with?
22. What does it mean to be a global citizen?
23. If you could time travel, where would you go and why?
24. How does nature impact our well-being?
25. What is the purpose of art in society?
26. How does our environment shape our behavior?
27. Do you believe in fate or free will? Explain your stance.
28. What would you do if you were not afraid of failure?
29. What do you value most in your friendships and why?
30. What does honesty mean to you? Is it always better to tell the truth?
31. Can you judge a book by its cover? When is it fair to judge someone or something?
32. How does technology affect our relationships with others?
33. What does equality mean to you?
34. How would life be different if humans could communicate telepathically?
35. How would the world change if animals could talk?
36. What is the purpose of school and education?
37. Is there such a thing as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ emotions?
38. What would a perfect society look like?
39. How important is the first impression? Do they accurately represent individuals?
40. What is the role of dreams in our lives?
41. How important are our choices in shaping our lives?
42. Is it better to work in a team or alone?
43. What are the most important qualities of a teacher?
44. How does learning about the past impact our future?
45. What makes a book or movie good?
46. Can someone be happy without money?
47. How does learning a new language change a person?
48. Is it more important to enjoy your job or to earn a high salary?
49. What does it mean to be a hero? Who are some heroes in real life?
50. How does the place where we grow up shape our identity?
51. Should animals have rights? Why or why not?
52. How does advertising influence what people buy?
53. What is the biggest challenge young people face today?
54. Is there such a thing as true altruism?
55. What does ‘home’ mean to you?
56. What role does fear play in your life?
57. How does fiction reveal the truth about real life?
58. Why do we dream? What purpose does it serve?
59. What is the value of solitude?
60. How does physical activity affect our mental health?
61. How do your surroundings impact your creativity?
62. Can a person change who they are, or are we predestined to stay the same?
63. What is the role of ‘play’ in learning?
64. How does one’s appearance affect their personality or how they’re treated?
65. What does it mean to be rich? Is wealth more than just money?
66. How does our culture shape our identity?
67. Why is it important to learn about other cultures?
68. How does the news shape our understanding of the world?
69. What role do hobbies play in people’s lives?
70. What is the value of silence in a world full of noise?
71. How does prejudice arise? How can we combat it?
72. How does travel broaden our perspective?
73. What is the impact of climate change on our future?
74. How do different generations view the world differently?
75. Is knowledge always a good thing, or can it be dangerous?
76. What makes people want to follow a leader?
77. How do the books we read influence our lives?
78. How does society define beauty?
79. What is the value of expressing gratitude?
80. How important is the quest for truth? Is it always objective?
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