Writing Prompts

September:

• You pass a door every day. It is always locked. One day you pass the door and it is unlocked. You open the door and walk inside. Write to tell what happens when you open the door and walk inside.

• Write about your favorite time you ever had at school.  What was special or unusual?

• Responsibility:  Write about a time when you did something really responsible. Describe it. What was the outcome? How did it make you feel about yourself? Describe a time you did something really irresponsible. What was the outcome? How did it make you feel about yourself?

  • In science you have studied different families of animals. Reptiles and mammals are two different families of animals. Write a composition for science comparing and contrasting characteristics of mammals and reptiles.

  • Think of an animal which is endangered. Describe this animal in such a way that other people your age will appreciate it and want to protect it.

    • Write a narrative about changes over time, show a problem, conflict, resolution, sequencing, cause and effect.  (Use the ideas presented in Blood on the River James Town 1607.)

October

• If your class could decide to take a field trip this year, where would you like to go? Write a composition describing where you would like to go with your class this year so that the teacher will choose your suggestion!

• Some people like to be surprised by gifts. Others like to know what they are getting. What are the advantages and disadvantages of surprise presents?

• Cooperation- What's good about cooperating? Make a list of all the benefits.

• Write a letter to a member of your family persuading the person to do something with you.

• Write a friendly letter to a kindergartner.

• Cooperation- Describe a time you had difficulty cooperating. What made it difficult? What did you do about it? Is there something you could have done that would have made it easier?

• We all have a favorite time of year. Think about one time of the year that is your favorite.

November

• Your class will have a classroom pet. Think about one pet that would be a good pet for your classroom. Write to explain why you think this pet would be good for your classroom.

• A student has been picked to fly aboard the next space shuttle mission. That student is you. Think about what it would be like to fly on a shuttle mission. Write to tell what happened on your trip into outer space.

• We all know that it is important to eat healthy foods. Think about why you think it is important to eat healthy foods.  Write to explain why you think it is important to eat healthy foods. Expository prompt

December

• We have all had vacations away from school. Think about one vacation you had away from school. Write to tell what happened on your vacation from school.

  Narrative writing tells a story

• Write expository essay : directions and procedure, how to make a holiday ornament! Research a type of ornament you would want to make if you can't think of one you already make... have fun and be sure your directions are complete.  You will present this to the class.

January

• One day your teacher comes in your classroom. She puts a bag down on his desk and leaves the room. As she leaves the room, the bag begins to move. Write to tell about what happens when the bag begins to moves!

• Respect Describe three things you could do to be a more respectful person. How would that affect your relationships with others? How does it benefit you to be a respectful person?

• If you wanted an unusual pet, you might find some opposition at home. You would have to be quite persuasive when you describe this new pet idea to your parent. Tell about the pet and convince your parents to let you have it.  PERSUASIVE WRITING

• Courage- Write about a time when you or someone you know was really embarrassed about something. How did it turn out?

February

• Honesty Pretend you're giving a speech on the topic "It's never okay to do the wrong thing." Write at least four reasons to back up the statement for your speech.

• Pretend you can trade places with anyone you would like to be.  This person can be real or imaginary, from the past or present.  Tell who that person is and why you would like to trade places.  Write about what you would do as that person for the day and how you would feel about it.

• Persuasive writing - Choose a product and write about it... convince me why I should use it.

• You arrive home from school and discover a window which had always been locked is open.  Write a story about what happens next.

March

• Write about a time you had to say goodbye

• Describe a perfect day and tell how you would spend it.  Give reasons why this would be a perfect day.

• Write about something you wish you didn't have to do.  Tell why you don't like to do it.  Include details that help explain your main idea.

• Initiative Think of three things you'd like to accomplish in the next several months. These must be things that are truly important to you and within your power to accomplish. For each one, describe in detail what you will need to do in order to succeed and lay out a plan for doing it (including deadlines). Now that you have set three goals, try carrying out your plans.

April

• Identify a change that might take place in the next ten years and discuss how the changes would affect you personally.  The change might be in one of these areas or one of your choosing... entertainment, environment, government regulations, technology, transportation.

• Think of an event in your life when time was very important.  Tell what happened and why time was so important to you.