When my children were in school, I routinely asked, "How was school today?" I usually received the same one word answers - fine, Ok, or alright. I finally figured out that my questions should be more specific and varied if I was truely going to engage them in meaningful conversations about school.
Late last month the Huffington Post reprinted lists from the Simple Simon and Company blog. I could have used this information, so I anticipate that parents might find the suggestions useful now. Use this link to access questions for elementary and high school students:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liz-evans/25-ways-to-ask-your-kids-so-how-was-school-today-without-asking-them-so-how-was-school-today_b_5738338.html