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Writing PromptsWhat writing prompts can inspire a budding author? As a generally rule of thumb, it helps to start a new writing skill by prompting students to write about their own experiences. As they master the writing skill, they can build by writing about less familiar content. Writing Prompts for Young Writers: K to 2nd gradeBelow are simple writing prompts that young writers enjoy, and examples of how they can be used as a writing activity. For each prompt, there could be multiple ways this could be used.Examples of student writing are in italics. 1. Feel a texture. Describe it.Give your students a number of familiar and unfamiliar objects with different textures. Let them choose which one to write about. I am soft. I am sweet. What am I? (Marshmallow)2. Science Experiment or ProjectA simple of a complex project can be done. In this example, two drops of food coloring of different colors are dropped into a bowl of water and observed.A blue drop and yellow drop were in the water. The colors mixed and made green water. 3. FoodAny baking or cooking project can be written about. I have found that students easily write about decorating projects. In this case, they decorated an ice cream sundae.I put colored sprinkles on my ice cream. Whipped cream was added. There was a cherry on top. 4. Accidents Happen!These aren't planned (I hope!) but a fire on the stove or a broken window can make great writing starters - the next day.Bang! My brother's baseball went through the window. 5. Read a good bookThis can be fiction or non-fiction. Then, act it out. After acting it out, have the student write about it.The snow fell all night. Big trucks took the snow away. 6. Medical AppointmentsA trip to the dentist, an injection, or other medical events can invoke strong feelings!The eye doctor asked me to read the letters on the wall. I read them all. I do not need glasses. 7. SeasonalThe changing of the seasons can inspire many writers. Describe what you see and experience outside.The trees leaves turned red, yellow, and orange. The nights are getting cold. The birds flew away. Fall is here. 8. HolidaysEveryone loves holidays and celebrations. They make great writing prompts as well.The fireworks were red, yellow, and blue. Fire crackers are loud. I like sparklers best! 9. PlayWhat do kids like to do in their play time? Their favorite activities make the best writing topics.I dressed my doll in a yellow dress. She has yellow shoes and a yellow purse. 10. AnimalsWatch a pet or wild animal for several minutes.Snowball was curled up on the rug. When Aida came in she jumped on her lap. She likes us to pet her. 11. InsectsWhere ever you live, you likely have some creepy crawlies around. Stop and watch them. They really are amazing little creatures.I watched a bee crawl on a red flower. He flew to a yellow flower. Then he flew away. 12. Computer gamesYes, there are more academically enriching activities than playing computer games. But, if your children like to spend free time on video games, it may make a good choice for a writing topic.My car was red. I went fast on the track. Yeah! I won! 13. NeighborhoodOn a routine trip in your neighborhood, notice and name all the things passed. This can help all of us focus on the important descriptive details that make writing better.There are houses and stores and a post office on my street. People drive cars and trucks. Trees and plants are everywhere. 14. Daily RoutineJust as Norman Rockwell paintings portrays daily activities in a meaningful way, writers can do the same.After my bath, I put on my warm pajamas. Dad read "The Cookie Tree" to us last night. 15. History LessonRead, discuss, and act out one of your history lessons. If students get to act it out, their writing may contain more details.Lewis and Clark lead a group through our state before there were any towns. They did not have cars. They had to walk. 16. Make somethingDo a craft, make a recipe, or build a model. Then have them record their experience.We mixed eggs and butter and sugar. The flour was added. Then we put in chocolate chips and baked my favorite cookies. 17. Take a tripWrite about a trip you recently took. Better yet, take a camera, and let them write about their photos.Sonya and I played in the sand on the beach. She made a sand castle. I collected sea shells. 18. Describe a room or gardenEven the room you are in right now could be described. Encourage details.We have a bunk bed. The walls and carpet are blue. My toy box is under the window. 19. Describe an objectThe sky is the limit. In fact, it could even be the object.Here's another way to use this prompt. Ask the child to close his or her eyes. Spin them around and ask them to tell you the first thing they see. Write about it. My teddy bear is yellow. He has brown eyes and blue buttons. He is a soft teddy. 20. Write directionsThis can be the rules to a game, or any other activity.Draw two lines each way to make a tic tac toe box. One person is X and the other is O. Each person takes a turn putting their letter in a box. Three in a row wins the game. Writing Prompts for Older Writers: 3 to 6 GradeDescriptive WritingAll the writing prompts listed above for younger children are still appropriate. However, the older student should write at a deeper level and produce paragraphs instead of sentences. Even an adult working on writing abstracts can further develop their writing skills and voice by writing a paragraph describing the distant sound of a woodpecker. Therefore, the older student, too, can write about simple experiences, both common and unique. Abstract Concepts The student in the third through sixth grade also needs to write about more abstract concepts and events. Here are some additional topics to consider for writing prompts:
WRITE ON: The Kid Friendly, Mother-Pleasing, Gentle Way to Learn To Write This user-friendly curriculum is filled with writing prompts and ideas to enhance your student's writing. Writing Prompts for Mature Writers: 7th Grade and OverAt this age, writing assignments focus on the ability to:
Did you notice those simply prompts written above for kindergarten and first grade students? Yes, we expect a lot more out of the middle school and high school student. But those same topics can be used to stretch the students ability to write descriptively. Academic Writing The writing prompts listed above for 3rd to 6th graders can also be used. These topics can be developed at a deeper and more abstract level. For instance, instead of a paper about the Civil War, they may write about a specific battle in that war. Outline and Thesis At this level, the student should begin organizing their content around an outline. As they progress in this skill, they being to develop thesis statements which produce their outlines. The last twenty lessons of Write On guide the upper level students to develop organized essays and a thesis. Click here to return from Writing Prompts to the Writing Main Page
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Homeschool CurriculumRelax and watch their writing take off!Who said grammar had to be boring?A great strategy for poor spellersA mother's plea, A son's promise
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