first day of school creative writing prompts

• CORE CURRICULUM 
• LITERACY > CORE CURRICULUM  > Into Literature, 6-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Into Literature, 6-12" aria-label="Into Literature, 6-12"> Into Literature, 6-12
• LITERACY > CORE CURRICULUM  > Into Reading, K-6" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Into Reading, K-6" aria-label="Into Reading, K-6"> Into Reading, K-6
• LITERACY > undefined > English 3D, 4-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="English 3D, 4-12" aria-label="English 3D, 4-12"> English 3D, 4-12
• LITERACY > undefined > Read 180, 3-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Read 180, 3-12" aria-label="Read 180, 3-12"> Read 180, 3-12
• INTERVENTION
• LITERACY > INTERVENTION > English 3D, 4-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="English 3D, 4-12" aria-label="English 3D, 4-12"> English 3D, 4-12
• LITERACY > INTERVENTION > Read 180, 3-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Read 180, 3-12" aria-label="Read 180, 3-12"> Read 180, 3-12
• SUPPLEMENTAL 
• LITERACY > SUPPLEMENTAL  > A Chance in the World SEL, 8-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="A Chance in the World SEL, 8-12" aria-label="A Chance in the World SEL, 8-12"> A Chance in the World SEL, 8-12
• LITERACY > SUPPLEMENTAL  > Amira Learning, K-6" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Amira Learning, K-6" aria-label="Amira Learning, K-6"> Amira Learning, K-6
• LITERACY > SUPPLEMENTAL  > Classcraft, K-8" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Classcraft, K-8" aria-label="Classcraft, K-8"> Classcraft, K-8
• LITERACY > SUPPLEMENTAL  > JillE Literacy, K-3" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="JillE Literacy, K-3" aria-label="JillE Literacy, K-3"> JillE Literacy, K-3
• LITERACY > SUPPLEMENTAL  > Waggle, K-8" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Waggle, K-8" aria-label="Waggle, K-8"> Waggle, K-8
• LITERACY > SUPPLEMENTAL  > Writable, 3-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Writable, 3-12" aria-label="Writable, 3-12"> Writable, 3-12
• LITERACY > SUPPLEMENTAL  > ASSESSMENT" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="ASSESSMENT" aria-label="ASSESSMENT"> ASSESSMENT
• CORE CURRICULUM
• MATH > CORE CURRICULUM > Arriba las Matematicas, K-8" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Arriba las Matematicas, K-8" aria-label="Arriba las Matematicas, K-8"> Arriba las Matematicas, K-8
• MATH > CORE CURRICULUM > Go Math!, K-6" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Go Math!, K-6" aria-label="Go Math!, K-6"> Go Math!, K-6
• MATH > CORE CURRICULUM > Into Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, 8-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Into Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, 8-12" aria-label="Into Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, 8-12"> Into Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, 8-12
• MATH > CORE CURRICULUM > Into Math, K-8" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Into Math, K-8" aria-label="Into Math, K-8"> Into Math, K-8
• MATH > CORE CURRICULUM > Math Expressions, PreK-6" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Math Expressions, PreK-6" aria-label="Math Expressions, PreK-6"> Math Expressions, PreK-6
• MATH > CORE CURRICULUM > Math in Focus, K-8" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Math in Focus, K-8" aria-label="Math in Focus, K-8"> Math in Focus, K-8
• SUPPLEMENTAL
• MATH > SUPPLEMENTAL > Classcraft, K-8" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Classcraft, K-8" aria-label="Classcraft, K-8"> Classcraft, K-8
• MATH > SUPPLEMENTAL > Waggle, K-8" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Waggle, K-8" aria-label="Waggle, K-8"> Waggle, K-8
• MATH > INTERVENTION > Math 180, 3-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Math 180, 3-12" aria-label="Math 180, 3-12"> Math 180, 3-12
• SCIENCE > CORE CURRICULUM  > Into Science, K-5" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Into Science, K-5" aria-label="Into Science, K-5"> Into Science, K-5
• SCIENCE > CORE CURRICULUM  > Into Science, 6-8" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Into Science, 6-8" aria-label="Into Science, 6-8"> Into Science, 6-8
• SCIENCE > CORE CURRICULUM  > Science Dimensions, K-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Science Dimensions, K-12" aria-label="Science Dimensions, K-12"> Science Dimensions, K-12
• SCIENCE > READERS > ScienceSaurus, K-8" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="ScienceSaurus, K-8" aria-label="ScienceSaurus, K-8"> ScienceSaurus, K-8
• SOCIAL STUDIES > CORE CURRICULUM  > HMH Social Studies, 6-12" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="HMH Social Studies, 6-12" aria-label="HMH Social Studies, 6-12"> HMH Social Studies, 6-12
• SOCIAL STUDIES > SUPPLEMENTAL > Writable" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Writable" aria-label="Writable"> Writable
• For Teachers 
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT > For Teachers  > Coachly" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Coachly" aria-label="Coachly"> Coachly
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT > For Teachers  > Teacher's Corner" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Teacher's Corner" aria-label="Teacher's Corner"> Teacher's Corner
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT > For Teachers  > Live Online Courses" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Live Online Courses" aria-label="Live Online Courses"> Live Online Courses
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT > For Teachers  > Program-Aligned Courses" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Program-Aligned Courses" aria-label="Program-Aligned Courses"> Program-Aligned Courses
• For Leaders
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT > For Leaders > The Center for Model Schools (formerly ICLE)" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="The Center for Model Schools (formerly ICLE)" aria-label="The Center for Model Schools (formerly ICLE)"> The Center for Model Schools (formerly ICLE)
• MORE > undefined > Assessment" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Assessment" aria-label="Assessment"> Assessment
• MORE > undefined > Early Learning" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Early Learning" aria-label="Early Learning"> Early Learning
• MORE > undefined > English Language Development" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="English Language Development" aria-label="English Language Development"> English Language Development
• MORE > undefined > Homeschool" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Homeschool" aria-label="Homeschool"> Homeschool
• MORE > undefined > Intervention" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Intervention" aria-label="Intervention"> Intervention
• MORE > undefined > Literacy" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Literacy" aria-label="Literacy"> Literacy
• MORE > undefined > Mathematics" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Mathematics" aria-label="Mathematics"> Mathematics
• MORE > undefined > Professional Development" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Professional Development" aria-label="Professional Development"> Professional Development
• MORE > undefined > Science" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Science" aria-label="Science"> Science
• MORE > undefined > undefined" data-element-type="header nav submenu">
• MORE > undefined > Social and Emotional Learning" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Social and Emotional Learning" aria-label="Social and Emotional Learning"> Social and Emotional Learning
• MORE > undefined > Social Studies" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Social Studies" aria-label="Social Studies"> Social Studies
• MORE > undefined > Special Education" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Special Education" aria-label="Special Education"> Special Education
• MORE > undefined > Summer School" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Summer School" aria-label="Summer School"> Summer School
• BROWSE RESOURCES
• BROWSE RESOURCES > Classroom Activities" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Classroom Activities" aria-label="Classroom Activities"> Classroom Activities
• BROWSE RESOURCES > Customer Success Stories" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Customer Success Stories" aria-label="Customer Success Stories"> Customer Success Stories
• BROWSE RESOURCES > Digital Samples" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Digital Samples" aria-label="Digital Samples"> Digital Samples
• BROWSE RESOURCES > Events" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Events" aria-label="Events"> Events
• BROWSE RESOURCES > Grants & Funding" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Grants & Funding" aria-label="Grants & Funding"> Grants & Funding
• BROWSE RESOURCES > Family & Caregiver Resources" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Family & Caregiver Resources" aria-label="Family & Caregiver Resources"> Family & Caregiver Resources
• BROWSE RESOURCES > International" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="International" aria-label="International"> International
• BROWSE RESOURCES > Research Library" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Research Library" aria-label="Research Library"> Research Library
• BROWSE RESOURCES > Shaped, HMH Blog" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Shaped, HMH Blog" aria-label="Shaped, HMH Blog"> Shaped, HMH Blog
• BROWSE RESOURCES > Webinars" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Webinars" aria-label="Webinars"> Webinars
• CUSTOMER SUPPORT
• CUSTOMER SUPPORT > Contact Sales" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Contact Sales" aria-label="Contact Sales"> Contact Sales
• CUSTOMER SUPPORT > Customer Service & Technical Support Portal" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Customer Service & Technical Support Portal" aria-label="Customer Service & Technical Support Portal"> Customer Service & Technical Support Portal
• CUSTOMER SUPPORT > Platform Login" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Platform Login" aria-label="Platform Login"> Platform Login
• Learn about us
• Learn about us > About" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="About" aria-label="About"> About
• Learn about us > Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" aria-label="Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion"> Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Learn about us > Environmental, Social, and Governance" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Environmental, Social, and Governance" aria-label="Environmental, Social, and Governance"> Environmental, Social, and Governance
• Learn about us > News Announcements" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="News Announcements" aria-label="News Announcements"> News Announcements
• Learn about us > Our Legacy" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Our Legacy" aria-label="Our Legacy"> Our Legacy
• Learn about us > Social Responsibility" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Social Responsibility" aria-label="Social Responsibility"> Social Responsibility
• Learn about us > Supplier Diversity" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Supplier Diversity" aria-label="Supplier Diversity"> Supplier Diversity
• Join Us > Careers" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Careers" aria-label="Careers"> Careers
• Join Us > Educator Input Panel" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Educator Input Panel" aria-label="Educator Input Panel"> Educator Input Panel
• Join Us > Suppliers and Vendors" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Suppliers and Vendors" aria-label="Suppliers and Vendors"> Suppliers and Vendors
• Divisions > Center for Model Schools (formerly ICLE)" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Center for Model Schools (formerly ICLE)" aria-label="Center for Model Schools (formerly ICLE)"> Center for Model Schools (formerly ICLE)
• Divisions > Heinemann" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="Heinemann" aria-label="Heinemann"> Heinemann
• Divisions > NWEA" data-element-type="header nav submenu" title="NWEA" aria-label="NWEA"> NWEA
• Platform Login

HMH Support is here to help you get back to school right. Get started

SOCIAL STUDIES

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

29 Back-to-School Writing Prompts for Middle and High School

The first day of school is approaching, and as a teacher, your schedule is likely already filling up with organizational and instructional prep work. However, despite all of your efforts, you may find that some students may emerge slowly from their summer hazes.

Before your middle school or high school students start their assigned reading, get them engaged with these back-to-school writing prompts. Fill up some class time with a few warm-up writing prompts below, or send students home with a larger assignment to get them back into the swing of things!

First Day of School Writing Prompts: Middle School Students

Classroom Prompt Assignments

• Stream of consciousness is when a character lets their thoughts continuously flow. Write a stream of consciousness story of your own and see where your thoughts take you.
• For the new school year, what new skill would you choose to learn if you had the time, money, and ability? Why?
• Write a critique of a book, movie, or show you recently read or watched. What were its strong points? What were its weak ones?
• Describe the reigning emotions you felt this summer. Why did you feel that way, and how do you think these emotions might change as the school year progresses?
• Choose a place you traveled to this summer, either locally or far away, and write a blog post about that location. Should other people visit as well? It could be a restaurant, a town, a shop, or a favorite spot to hang out.
• If there is a club, sport, class, or event you are excited about this year, write what you already know about it. Follow up with some expectations that you have for the experience and yourself.
• A flashbulb memory is a very detailed memory that you have from when you were young. Do you have any memories like that, and if so, what are they about? Are there any events that have happened recently that you think you will remember for a long time?
• Do you have any traditions? If not, which one would you want to start this year?
• Describe the most memorable school project that you’ve ever done. Would you like to do a similar project this year, and if so, how can it be adapted to what you’re learning now?
• If you could create a themed book display for your school library, what would it be? Which titles would it include, and why?

Take-Home Writing Assignments

• Write a letter to your younger self, and then another to your older self.
• One important rule of creative writing is to “Show Don’t Tell.” Write a 1,500-word short story in your favorite genre, following this rule.
• Write a local wildlife guide to your backyard, neighborhood, local park, or even the school itself. What flora and fauna exist there?
• Write a 1,000-word essay about an aspect of your summer that focuses on the five basic senses—Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste, and Touch.

First Day of School Writing Prompts: High School Students

• Set three resolutions for yourself to accomplish this year and describe why those are the ones you chose.
• Write a list of How-To instructions for something that you know how to do. It could be making a meal, cleaning something, playing a game, babysitting, drawing a picture, etc.
• Create a dream college for you to attend once you graduate. Which academic programs does it offer? What sports, art classes, and clubs are offered? Where is it located?
• Write a short story using only dialogue. Work on creating different voices for each character. If it helps, take notes on each character before the dialogue starts. Does one character use slang? Is the other excitable? Is one character older than the other?
• Write a song on a subject that isn’t usually heard in other songs.
• Create a new class for your school to offer. Why do you think that class is necessary? What are the learning goals for that class, and what are the assignments?
• Which app do you spend the most time on? What are the positive aspects of using the app? What are the negatives?
• Is there a cause that you want to be a part of? What is it, and why is it important to you?
• Create a new club for your community or school. What is the club about? What are your goals, and who do you hope will join?
• Describe three things that you are looking forward to this year.
• What is your ultimate dream job? Research the industry, company, or role you’re interested in and report on what it is and how to get there. Conclude with your expectations before and after your research. Is the job what you thought it was?
• Choose a position with the local government to run for and outline a platform to run on. Then, write a speech to voters about your platform. Make sure to research your current representatives to learn what their platforms are.
• What is going on in the town or city that you live in? Research local events, places, volunteer opportunities, parks, clubs, etc. Visit a new place or attend a new event, then write a review of your experiences using descriptive language. Would you go back again? Why or why not?
• An executive summary is an intro to a business plan that is designed to grab the reader’s attention by summarizing what the new business will accomplish. Write an executive summary between 500 and 1,000 words for a product, venture, or business that you wish existed.
• Research a historical figure that looks a little like you do (bonus points if you’ve never heard of them before now). What did they accomplish?

No matter how much or how little your students read this summer, get their creativity flowing with these thought-provoking journal prompts to kick off the year. By focusing on descriptive language, persuasive arguments, and ideas for the future, your middle school or high school class will find their writer's stride in no time.

Try Writable to support your ELA curriculum, district benchmarks, and state standards with more than 600 fully customizable writing assignments and rubrics for students in Grades 3–12 .

Try out a free trial of Writable today by following these steps:

• Go to hmh.writable.com
• Click "Log in or Create Account"
• Choose "I'm a teacher"
• Sign in with Google or Microsoft account
• Select the grade level you teach
• Activities & Lessons
• Grades 9-12

Related Reading

9 National Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Students: A Celebration of Culture

Daniel Poremba Senior Tier II Specialist, HMH

September 6, 2024

Why Is Writing Important for Students?

Shaped Contributor

August 19, 2024

11 Classroom Community-Building Activities for Elementary Students

Brenda Iasevoli Shaped Executive Editor

August 16, 2024

88 Back to School Writing Prompts for the First Week

This post may contain affiliate links.

I am struggling to write my first back to school post of the season! That means summer vacation is nearing the end.  But the start of a new school year is also an exciting season!  Today I have a set of 88  Back to School Writing Prompts to help you out during the first week of your new school year.  They are a great resource for the first day of school!

As the new school year approaches, it’s time to gear up for some fresh new lessons, a new classroom, and learning ideas. It’s difficult on teachers and on students to gear up to the work load of a new school year.

One nice way to ease children back into the school routine is through creative writing prompts. Writing prompts can be a fun way to inspire creativity, improve and refine writing skills, and make the transition back to school smooth and enjoyable. 

Back to School Writing Prompts

I have a several sets of back to school writing prompts for you in this printable for every grade level. There is a set of 20 writing prompts for elementary students. I have a set of 20 back to school writing prompts that will work well for both for middle school students and high school students. I also have a set of prompts tailored specifically to homeschool families!  

I’m sure that you’ll love adding this writing activity to your English language arts lesson plans for the beginning of the school year! They can help you and your class get back into the swing of things. Read on to learn how (& why) to use the Back to School Writing Prompts effectively!

Why You Should Use Writing Prompts:

• E ncourage Creativity: These prompts are a fantastic way to give kids a starting point with their writing. They can use their imagination and explore new ideas, or write a short story without the pressure of coming up with a topic from scratch.
• Enhance Writing Skills : Regular writing practice helps improve grammar, vocabulary, and overall writing proficiency. Writing prompts are the perfect way to provide structured practice in a fun and engaging way.
• Stimulate Critical Thinking : Writing about different topics encourages kids to think critically, organize their thoughts, and articulate their ideas clearly.
• Build Confidence: Completing a piece of writing gives children a sense of accomplishment, boosting their confidence and encouraging them to tackle more challenging tasks.
• G et to Know New Students: At the beginning of the year, these prompts are a great way to help you learn more about the students in your class! You can learn about their favorite hobby, their summer vacation, what she of their favorite things are, 

How to Use These Printable Writing Prompts:

You can cut these questions up into small strips for kids to draw from a bowl. Or choose one prompt for everyone to answer as a class.

• Daily Journals: Incorporate writing prompts into a daily journaling routine. Have a notebook designated to your daily writing.  This regular practice of journal prompts can help kids develop a habit of writing and improve their skills over time. Use different themed prompts through the months of the year. They can take them home at the end of the year and have a book full of memories!
• Class Discussions: Use prompts as a starting point for class discussions for the whole class or for small groups. Write the prompts on a whiteboard and let them spend some time on it. After writing, students can share their responses, helping them get to know one another better and maybe build a new friendship!
• Creative Projects: Use writing prompts as a starting point for larger writing projects. Encourage kids to expand on their prompt responses by turning them into short stories, a personal narrative, plays, or illustrated books.
• Homework Assignments: Assign writing prompts as part of homework to keep the writing practice going beyond the classroom.
• Incorporate Technology: For older kids, try using digital platforms or blogs where kids can post their prompt responses. This not only makes writing fun but also teaches them how to use technology responsibly.
• Morning Work or Writing Stations: Use these for independent work time with your students. When you need something to fill extra time or need a quiet activity for them to work on, incorporate some writing time! 

Download the Free Writing Prompts for Back to School Now!

This is a free PDF file.  Download it here. 

Back to School Writing Prompt Examples:

Here are a few examples of some of the writing prompts in this download. 

• Imagine your school year is transformed by magic. Describe the magical events that happen and how they change your everyday routine.
• You discover a time machine in your school. Write about where you go and what historical events or future scenarios you witness.

What is your favorite subject in school and why do you enjoy it?

  If your class could have any pet, what would it be and how would you take care of it?

Imagine your school bus could take you anywhere in the universe. Where would you go and what would you see?

What are three academic goals you have for this school year? How do you plan to achieve them?

Do you think schools should have uniforms? Why or why not? Provide reasons for your opinion.

How can learning about different cultures benefit kids your age?

Describe your homeschool learning environment. How does it help you focus and learn?

Incorporating writing prompts into your back-to-school routine can make the transition to school time smoother and more enjoyable for kids. There are so many great benefits. I hope you’ll enjoy using this free printable download. 

Happy writing and welcome back to school!

See More Creative Writing & Language Arts Ideas:

Choose Your Adventure Writing Prompts

Spring Writing Prompts for Kids

Draw and Write: Creative Writing for Kids

Former school teacher turned homeschool mom of 4 kids. Loves creating awesome hands-on creative learning ideas to make learning engaging and memorable for all kids!

Similar Posts

How Many Days Are in Each Month?

United States Geography: Alabama

Illustrated Haiku Poems With Kids

Easter Pattern Block Mats

Christmas Charades Ideas for Kids

All About Me Book for Preschool Kids

Leave a reply cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

36 Back to School Writing Prompts (Free Printable List)

Have fun with the kids on the first day of school with these fun back to school writing prompts .

Get ready for an exciting writing adventure with these incredible first day of school worksheets ! They’re the perfect catalyst to ignite your students’ creativity and help them express themselves through writing.

Spark your students’ love for writing from day one with these engaging back to school free printable writing prompts .

**There may be affiliate links in this post. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.**

Table of Contents

Back to school journal prompts

Get ready to kick off the new school year with an exciting journaling adventure using these back to school journal prompts!

With 36 unique writing prompts, you’ll have plenty of options to engage your students during the first week of school.

To make the most of these prompts, here are a few ideas on how to use them:

• The lucky draw: Cut out the prompts and place them in a hat or container. Have each child pick a prompt at random. This element of surprise adds an extra layer of excitement to their journaling experience.
• Personalized prompts: Assign specific prompts to individual students and encourage them to glue their chosen prompt on the top of their composition book. This personal touch gives them a sense of ownership and allows them to express their unique perspectives.
• Student’s choice: Hand out the worksheets to the children and let them select the prompt that resonates with them the most. This empowers students to choose a topic that sparks their interest and encourages them to take ownership of their writing journey.
• Writing centers: Set up writing centers in your classroom with different prompts at each station. Students can rotate through the centers, choosing a prompt from each station and working on their journal entries independently.

Personal reflection and goal setting writing prompts

We all know that reflecting on our experiences and setting goals is important for our students’ growth. These journal prompts will encourage students to look back on their past school year, explore fascinating topics, and share how they tackled challenges.

They’ll even get to dream up creative projects and imagine new school holidays!

These writing activities will help our students develop self-awareness and get excited about setting goals for the upcoming year.

• Write a letter to your future self. What advice would you give yourself for this school year?
• Describe the most interesting thing you learned last school year. Why did you find it so fascinating?
• Write about a challenging assignment or project you completed in school. How did you overcome the challenge?
• Describe an activity or project you would like to do in school that involves creativity and imagination.
• If you could invent a new school holiday, what would it be called, and how would you celebrate it?
• Imagine you could interview any historical figure or famous person about their school experience. Who would it be, and what questions would you ask?

Imagination journal prompts

Get ready to unleash your students’ imaginations with these prompts!

They can dive into a world where friendly monsters attend school for the first time or where superheroes lend a helping hand with homework.

These prompts will have our students honing their storytelling writing skills and falling in love with creative writing.

• Write a story about a friendly monster who goes to school for the first time.
• Write a story about a superhero who helps kids with their homework.
• Write a story about a magical backpack that helps students with their schoolwork.
• Write a story about a time when you worked on a group project in school. What did you learn from working with others?

Use these first grade writing prompts printables too!

Relationships and school experiences

Building connections and navigating school experiences are crucial for our elementary students. These prompts explore friendships, transitions, and the qualities that make a great teacher.

Let your students write welcoming letters to new classmates, share memories with friends who’ve moved away, and reflect on their first day of school.

These writing activities will help foster empathy, communication skills, and a strong sense of belonging in our classroom community.

• Write a letter to your best friend, telling them about your summer break and asking about theirs.
• Write a letter to a new student joining your class. Give them advice and make them feel welcome.
• Write a letter to a friend who moved away. Share your favorite memories from school and ask about their new school.
• Describe the qualities you think make a great teacher and explain why those qualities are important.
• Imagine you are the principal of your school for one day. What changes would you make, and why?
• Describe your first day of school. How did you feel, and what activities did you do?

WANT ALL OUR BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES IN ONE PLACE?

School environment writing activities.

Ready to get creative with your students? These prompts are all about dreaming up the perfect school environment!

The kids can design their dream classrooms, suggest new school rules and exciting supplies, and bring their innovative ideas to the table.

These writing activities will empower our students to be creative problem solvers and take ownership of their educational journey.

• Imagine you could make a new subject in school. What would it be called, and what would you learn in that class?
• If you could design your own school uniform, what would it look like? Draw a picture and explain it.
• Describe your dream classroom. What would it look like, and what activities would you do there?
• Imagine you could create a new school rule. What would it be, and why do you think it’s important?
• Imagine you could invent a new school supply. What would it be, and how would it be helpful?
• Write a letter to the principal suggesting a new after-school club or activity. Explain why it would be a great addition.

Favorites and preferences

Let’s dive into what makes our students unique and celebrate their preferences!

From recess activities to must read books and favorite subjects, your students will have a blast expressing their personal choices.

They can recommend their top picks to their peers, share their appreciation for a favorite teacher, or even describe the ultimate school lunch.

These writing activities will help you better understand your students’ individuality, foster a positive classroom culture, and embrace the diverse interests within your class.

• Write about your favorite thing to do during recess and why you like it.
• Describe your favorite book and why other kids should read it.
• Write a poem about your teacher. What are some things you like about them?
• Describe your favorite subject in school and why you enjoy it.
• Describe the best school lunch you can imagine. What foods would be on the menu, and why do you like them?
• Describe an exciting field trip you would like to go on with your class. Where would you go, and what would you do?

Have fun with our free what did you do this summer worksheet too!

Other back to school activities

Don’t let the fun stop there, download even more of our first week of school printables:

• My favorite book worksheet
• My favorite color worksheet
• My favorite things worksheet
• All about me free printable
• First day of school crowns printable
• Back to school color by number

Need to print later? Add this to your Pinterest board or share it on Facebook. You’ll have it handy whenever you’re ready to use it!

Download the free back to school writing prompts

To get your free printables for kids , simply add your name and email address to the form below.

Last Updated on 17 July 2024 by Clare Brown

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

17 Fun First Day Of School Writing Activities

The smell of freshly painted halls, the excited chatter of returning students bursting with two months’ worth of gossip to share—it must be the first day at school again.

Rusty pens and dusty pencils are hastily pulled from the bottom of school bags where, for many, they’ve lain all summer, ready for back to school.

You’ll need engaging writing activities to get those atrophied writing muscles back in shape. The standard ‘What I Did This Summer’ essay won’t cut it.

Luckily, we have 17 Great Back-to-School Writing Activities for you to help shake off the cobwebs and get your students’ writing skills back on par. Let’s get started.

Ice Breaker

Writing activities.

At the start of each school year, there’s likely to be a new face or two in the class, and while two months isn’t a long time in the grand scheme of things, our students can do a lot of growing and changing in that time.

Ice-breaker writing activities allow students to connect with others in the class. They give students some insight into the lives of their classmates.

Here are some fun ice-breaker writing activities to get the new school year off to a strong start writing-wise.

The A to Z of Me! Poem

Students write an acrostic poem about themselves in the A to Z of Me. The poem’s first line starts with the letter A, and each new line begins with the following letter of the alphabet, which should reveal something about the poet.

This may be too long for younger students – it’d be a 26-line poem after all. In this case, you can quickly adapt the activity to employ the letters of the student’s first name.

This activity aims for students to capture the essence of who they are in their poems. They can write a phrase or line based on their interests, appearance, things they have done, hobbies, desires, ideas, where they’re from, etc.

You can make this more challenging for older and stronger students by insisting they employ a rhyme scheme throughout their poems.

For example, they could write their poem in couplets (AA, BB, CC, etc.) or with an alternate line rhyming scheme (AB, AB, AB, etc).

When students have finished writing their acrostic poems about themselves, they can perform it to the whole class as a class poetry slam.

Guess Who? Writing Task

This fun activity challenges students to recall what they know about their classmates or, in the case of a newly formed group of students, to explore their initial impressions of each other.

In Guess Who?, the teacher divides the students into two groups. Each group writes down a unique fact about themselves on a piece of paper, folds it , and gives it to the teacher.

If everyone already knows each other very well, you might want to limit the facts to something they did over the summer that the others in the class are unaware of.

Students could write about a hobby or talent, a language they speak, a place they visited, or anything that makes them unique or special.

Students then take turns reading a fact written by someone from the other group, and they then guess who wrote it.

A point is awarded for each correct guess, the winning team being the team with the most points.

Interview A Classmate Writing Activity :

This activity allows students to get to know each other better while developing their interviewing, note-taking, and writing skills.

 Begin this activity by asking the students to compile a list of questions that they would use to get to know someone they’d met for the first time.

 The first questions the students generally tend to be surface-level small-talk-type questions such as:

•  Where are you from?
• How many brothers and sisters do you have?
• What’s your favourite subject at school?
• What are your hobbies?
• What do you want to be when you grow up?
• What’s the best thing about you?

Write these on the whiteboard, of course. They’ll be helpful to as warm-up openers at the beginning of the interviews, but we want to encourage a deeper dive.

For the interviewer to better understand the interviewee, they’ll need to probe further.

Encourage students to come up with more challenging questions to ask in the interview and write these on the board. These questions should be geared toward gaining insight beyond the superficial.

Explain to the students that when they are the interviewee, if they’d prefer not to answer a specific question, they can just say “next” and the interviewer will move immediately onto the next question.

Some examples of deeper, more probing-type questions might include questions like:

•  Can you tell me about an event or a story that significantly impacted your life?
• Who has had the most significant influence on who you are?
• What is the most challenging thing you’ve ever had to do?
• What is your best memory? Worst?

At the end of this brainstorming session, a considerable list of questions should be on the whiteboard.

Students are then partnered up. They will then take turns interviewing each other, with each interviewer taking comprehensive notes as they interview.

Students should not use voice recording equipment during this activity. This activity aims to improve note-taking abilities.

When the interviews are over, students write them up as best they can, using their notes and memories to recreate them.

For the more advanced students, this will involve recreating the interview’s dialogue and weaving a narrative around it to convey the interviewee’s character, expressions, and mannerisms.

First Day of School Persuasive Wish List Task

The start of a new school year is a time of hope and possibility captured in the form of a wish list.

But this isn’t an old wish list but a persuasive one.

The students will write a wish list of things they hope for from the new school year.

The twist is that they must make their case for why they should receive the concessions they seek.

Some items that might make the wish list could be the desire to see more time for their favourite activities, less homework, or creating a class council. It doesn’t matter what is on the list but that the student makes as strong a case as possible for them.

Students should be encouraged to use the full range of persuasive writing techniques  available, from emotional language to social proof, from repetition to evidence and statistics.

Collaborative Writing Activities

Collaborative writing activities offer students opportunities to work with a partner, a small group, or the whole class to produce a shared piece of writing.

As with the previous activities, these activities can break the ice. More than that, they help students establish a level of comfort working together to achieve a shared goal – a key dynamic to encourage at the start of any school year.

Snowball Story-Writing

In this simple but fun activity, each student starts by writing the beginning of a story. There should be an allotted amount of time to complete this, the length of which will depend on the age and abilities of the students.

When the allotted time is up, students should stop writing, roll their paper into a ball, and throw it towards the top of the classroom!

Students should then each retrieve one of the ‘snowballs’ from the front of the classroom and, when the timer is started, read the beginning of the story and then write the story middle until the time is up.

Again, the students throw their snowballs to the front of the classroom, before selecting a new snowball to write the ending.

When the stories are completed, they should be returned to the students who wrote the story beginning. This student should write a final draft of the story to ensure it reads well 

Students can then share their stories by reading them out to the class.

Sometimes, students struggle to start their writing. To help them get going, it can be helpful to provide them with a sheet of paper with a writing prompt. This prompt can be a sentence or even a picture.

These prompts can be easily differentiated to suit the age and abilities of your students. For example, more prescriptive prompts are helpful for younger students, while more open-ended prompts will suit older and/or stronger students.

Tapestry Poems

Tapestry poems are a collaboration between two students. So, as a first step, you need to assign each student a partner to work with.

The next step requires you to assign a topic for each pair of students in the class. Each partner then independently writes a 9-line poem on the assigned topic.

When each student has finished their 9-line poem, they share them with their partner.

The task is for the students to work together now to produce an 18-line poem from the two 9-line poems they have created.

To do this, the students must collaborate to make the composite poem work. The idea here is to weave the different threads of the two topic interpretations into a single ‘tapestry’.

Students must include the nine lines of both poems, but they have room to edit for verb tense and make minor grammatical changes to make things work.

The partners must also compromise to agree on a single title for their shared piece.

The Peer Editing Exercise

This is a great way to introduce peer assessment into your classroom, especially with a group of students who are not familiar with the concept.

You will need to explain the editing and proofreading process to the students at the start. The specific criteria will, of course, depend on the age and abilities of your students.

To begin, organize the class into pairs of editing partners. Students should then swap their written work to be edited by their partners.

Any of the previous  writing activities  in this article would serve this purpose well.

Students can edit their partner’s work by annotating with a different colour pen, or, for more detailed commentary, they could use a separate sheet of paper.

Students then share their feedback.

This is an opportunity for students to see each other as resources to help them on their learning journey throughout the year.

It also helps students to develop resilience and an ability to absorb constructive criticism.

Students then rewrite their text in light of the feedback given.

Time for a plenary session should be made at the end to discuss their experiences of the process as a class.

The Summer Yearbook Writing Task

This writing project is based on the idea of school yearbooks.

School yearbooks are compilations of memories, photographs, and quotes. In this version, students compile a compendium based on their collective experiences during the school break.

The format can inspire many writing activities.

Students can gather quotes on the various events of vacation time together. These can be sourced from family, friends, classmates, etc.

They can also collect photographs and write suitable captions for inclusion in the yearbook. The book could include a page for the students’ autographs and a page for summer memories and hopes for the coming year.

Technology can be easily incorporated into this lesson by producing a digital version. Collaborative applications such as Google Drive are perfect for this type of work.

Year Long Inference Based Writing Activities

Tap into the power of imagery in your classroom to master INFERENCE as AUTHORS and CRITICAL THINKERS .

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (26 Reviews)

This YEAR-LONG 500+ PAGE unit is packed with robust opportunities for your students to develop the critical skill of inference through fun imagery, powerful thinking tools, and graphic organizers.

Memory Writing Activities

While we want to avoid the cliched ‘ What I Did This Summer ’ essay, it doesn’t mean that memories of the long holidays can’t serve as an ‘ in’ to some worthwhile writing activities.

In the following writing activities, students will be asked to access their memories of summer to serve as a jumping-off point. Let’s get started!

Paint a Picture With Words

Essentially, this writing activity challenges students to write by employing their senses to evoke a memory.

First, ask the students to choose from a memory of a place they visited during the summer vacation. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a beach trip or a visit to a shopping mall; they’ll both serve equally well for this activity.

Students must then endeavour to recreate the scene as they recall it through careful selection of vocabulary and description.

The main focus of this type of writing will be the use of sensory language. Students should meditate on what they saw, heard, smelled, tasted, and felt while in their chosen place.

Students should work to paint a vivid, multi-dimensional picture in the reader’s minds-eye. For this reason, they should choose a static memory, such as a scene they recall. This activity has more in common with landscape painting than with film-making. A plot is not required.

This activity allows students to hone their descriptive writing skills, which will help them improve their writing in many genres.

Haiku Writing Activity

As with the last activity, this type of poetry is typically focused on evoking a scene. In the case of the haiku, this is usually a natural scene.

Before putting pen to paper, be sure students are suitably familiar with the features of the haiku:

• It consists of 3 lines
• It contains 17 syllables
• The 1st and 3rd lines have 5 syllables and the 2nd line has 7 syllables
• It does not need to rhyme
• It’s usually about nature or a natural phenomenon
• Often has two contrasting or juxtaposed subjects woven into it.

This activity is best introduced by reading and examining a couple of well-written haikus, such as those by Basho in translation, to ensure student familiarity with the form.

This is a very meditative writing form. It is essential to set a suitable mood and atmosphere in the classroom to encourage the necessary concentration and reflection the writing process will require. Playing gentle instrumental music is one way to help achieve this ambience.

Fun Back To School Writing Activities

While the first of our Back to School Writing Activities focuses clearly on breaking the ice and drawing on memories, the primary focus of the following writing activities is on having fun.

These activities will also offer students opportunities to develop some technical aspects of their writing skills; the main emphasis here is on students seeing writing as a fun, creative activity where they have the space and time for self-expression.

Don’t forget to read our complete guide to Fun Writing activities here.

Creative Excuses Writing Task

To start this activity, students must devise a list of 10 chores or tasks they absolutely hate doing.

Next, students should choose four from this list of their most detested tasks and write a letter explaining why they cannot complete them.

Encourage students to get creative with their excuses. The crazier and more imaginative the excuses are, the better. This activity is an opportunity for students to let their imaginations loose.

‘What If?’ Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are an excellent way for students to break through writer’s block. In this activity, students generate their own writing prompts by creating ‘ what if? ’ scenarios for other students in the class to use as writing prompts.

Many of the best and most creative stories start with an inquiry into what would happen if x happened. These scenarios can be silly, serious, fantastical, or humorous if they provide a jumping-off point for the student writer.

When students have completed their prompts, the teacher should gather them to distribute randomly among the class.

Students can share their work with the class When they have finished writing their responses to their assigned prompts. This will be especially interesting for the writer of the original prompt.

The Book Of Summer

This writing activity is an upgrade from the “My Summer Vacation” type essays.

In this activity, each student will compile their Book of Summer,  describing and depicting their holidays using as many different writing genres as possible.

For example, the student might include the following in their Book of Summer:

• A non-chronological report on a day trip
• A comic strip based on a family celebration
• A review of a movie they saw or book they read
• A fictionalized account of their summer
• A recipe of a meal they made
• A playscript for a sleepover they went on
• A haiku on the end of summer

The scope for creative interpretations here is almost endless.

For  younger students , it may be best to be more prescriptive about the various genres to include and the titles for each piece.

But for students with the ability, the open-endedness of this task allows their creativity to run loose while affording you a valuable opportunity to see just what they are capable of.

Be sure to read our complete collection of  back-to-school writing activities.

Fictional Interviews Writing Task

This activity involves a little bit of writing and a lot of role-playing.

In this activity, students should be paired up with a partner. Each partner chooses a fictional character they will role-play. The character can be from any fiction, for example, movies, comic books, or literature.

Partners must prepare and write up a series of interview questions for their partner’s fictional character.

Partners take turns interviewing each other while the interviewee is in character.

This is a great way to bring a bit of drama into the classroom, but if you want to emphasize the writing aspect of the activity, you can set the students up for the interview in the style of a magazine feature article. This will require the student to weave some narrative writing around the back and forth of the questions and answers of the interview.

Write A Story From A Different Point Of View

Narrative writing requires competency in a broad range of complex skills . We can roughly divide those skills into structural ones (such as text organization) and language-related skills (such as sentence construction and creativity).

Getting your  students to write a story  is a great way to assess their abilities in these areas.

In this activity, however, you provide most of the structure for the student, giving them the space to exercise their imagination and a chance to focus on their grammatical control – among other things.

In this exercise, ask your students to select a favourite fairy tale or other traditional story they know well. The student’s task is to rewrite their favourite fairy tale from the point of view of another important character in the story.

For example, they might want to retell the  Jack and the Beanstalk  story from the point of view of the Giant or Jack’s mother.

Retelling  The Ugly Duckling , the student might want to write from Mother Duck’s perspective to explore her feelings about the runt of her litter suddenly transforming into a beautiful (if alien!) swan

Summer Headlines Writing Activity

Headlines are  fun to write .

They should be short and pithy, seizing the reader’s attention by telling them just enough about the story to pique their interest but still leave them wanting to read more.

There are several things that students can do to ensure their headlines have the desired effect, including:

• Choose powerful words designed to make an impact
• Use alliteration to create catchy, snappy headlines
• Employ humour to entertain and intrigue the reader
• Create suspense by posing the headline as a question

For this activity, students should list the main events of their summer break and create a headline for each event.

In this way, the students will have produced an account of their summer written entirely in headlines.

As an extension to this exercise, when they’ve finished producing their headlines, have them present them to the class or in smaller groups.

The best headline is selected from each list, which the student has to turn into a complete newspaper-style article on that event.

Rap and Verse Writing Task

Few genres of writing can be as divisive.

Some are dismayed by the mere mention of the word ‘poetry’ – The “ Why can’t poets just say what they mean? ” camp.

Then, some can barely write a shopping list without a bit of unnecessary versifying.

Love it or loathe it, poetry is on the curriculum and our students need to get to grips with it.

For this activity, students write a series of poems inspired by the events of their summer holidays. Essentially, they are writing a poetic account of their vacation.

To challenge the students, they must use a different type of poetry for each event they wish to retell.

For example, they might write a series of haikus on the weather during the summer break.

Perhaps they’ll produce a calligram or shape poem describing the treehouse they made.

Maybe they’ll write an elegy to a pet that died or a limerick on that disastrous camping trip.

They might like to use the headlines from the previous activity  A Summer in Headlines  as starting points for their poems.

By the end of this activity, your students will have a collection of self-authored poetry they can share with the class in the form of a poetry slam.

You may wish to provide your students with checklists of the various features of the different types of poetry to help them during this activity.

So, there we have seventeen engaging activities to kick start the writing process at the start of the school year.

There is quite a variety from here, with some activities honing technical aspects of the writing process while others are more centred on the fun of creativity.

Remember, at the start of the school year, what the students write isn’t so important, but what they write!

With the selection of activities above, you’re sure to find one to suit even the most pen-shy students!

Daily Quick Writes For All Text Types

Our FUN DAILY QUICK WRITE TASKS will teach your students the fundamentals of CREATIVE WRITING across all text types. Packed with 52 ENGAGING ACTIVITIES

OTHER GREAT WRITING ACTIVITIES TO TRY

7 Evergreen Writing Activities for Elementary Students

10 fun writing activities for the reluctant writer

13 Fun Reading Activities for Any Book

5 Fun Growth Mindset Writing Activities Students and Teachers Love

6 YouTube Writing Activities for Students and Teachers

5 Fun Seasonal Writing Activities Students and Teachers Love

First Day of School Writing Prompts: Start the Year with Words

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Promote Creativity ⁢and Reflection⁣ with ‍First Day ‍of School‌ Writing Prompts

Encouraging self-expression: captivating writing prompts for the first day ⁣of school, building ⁤connections ⁢and‍ fostering⁢ community through ⁤writing on ⁣the first day of school, empowering ‌students: ‌effective writing prompts‌ to kickstart the school year, inspire ⁣confidence‌ and growth with first day of ⁢school writing ⁢activities, setting goals‌ and creating a positive classroom atmosphere⁣ with ‍first day writing prompts, ignite imaginations: thought-provoking ⁣writing prompts for the start ⁣of‌ the school year, frequently asked questions, future ​outlook.

⁤ Kickstart the new school year with ​a‍ burst of creativity‌ and⁣ encourage your students to reflect‌ on their experiences⁤ with our collection of engaging⁢ writing prompts for the first day of school. Writing prompts provide an​ excellent way‌ to⁣ inspire imagination, boost ​critical thinking skills, and foster self-expression. Whether you’re an educator or‌ a parent,‌ these​ prompts‌ offer a perfect‍ opportunity to encourage your students or children to articulate their ⁣thoughts, fears, and aspirations as they embark on a ‌fresh academic journey.

‍ ⁤ Our carefully crafted prompts ‍tap into a range ​of themes, ‌from personal reflections to imaginative scenarios. Students ‍can⁤ explore‌ and express⁢ their ‍emotions,⁢ goals, and ambitions⁢ for the upcoming year. They can also delve into their unique ​learning ⁣experiences, ponder ⁣new‌ friendships, or ⁤even imagine exciting⁣ adventures they’d like to​ embark upon. With a‌ diverse collection⁢ of‍ thought-provoking prompts at your​ disposal, you’ll empower ‌your students to think⁢ critically,⁣ write confidently,⁢ and develop their own⁣ individual voices.

• Encourage ‍students to reflect on ⁢their favorite summer memories and share ‌what they’ve‌ learned from them.
• Prompt‌ students to envision the⁤ perfect classroom atmosphere ‍and describe​ what ⁣they believe ‍will make it an ideal learning environment.
• Challenge students to compose a letter to their ‌future selves, outlining ‌their academic‌ and personal ⁤goals⁤ for⁢ the‍ year ​ahead.
• Ask students to create a​ fictional ​story⁢ about a‍ time-traveling adventure that takes them to⁣ a historical ‍event of their choice.

​ By incorporating these fun⁤ and thought-provoking writing prompts ‌on the⁢ first day of‌ school, you’ll​ not only ⁢cultivate creativity and self-reflection, but also set a positive‌ tone for the rest of the academic year. Foster the development of‌ critical writing skills, while simultaneously ‍strengthening‍ students’ ability to articulate their thoughts ​and⁣ feelings. ‍Let your students embark‍ on a writing journey filled with imagination, self-discovery, ‍and endless possibilities.

As the new school year begins, it’s crucial to create ⁣a classroom environment ​that ⁤fosters creativity and self-expression. One ​effective way to‍ achieve this is through engaging writing ⁤prompts that⁢ will‍ encourage students ⁢to share their ⁢thoughts and ideas. Here ‌are some ‌captivating writing prompts that are perfect ⁢for the‍ first ‌day‌ of school, allowing ⁢students to introduce ‍themselves while also sparking their imagination:

• Reflect on ​your summer ⁣adventures: ⁣ Ask students to write about their favorite ‍summer⁣ memory or the most exciting thing they did during the break. This ‍prompt not only helps⁢ them share their experiences​ but also sets‍ a positive and vibrant tone ​for⁤ the class.
• Design your ideal learning space: ⁢Encourage students to let their creativity flow by asking them to describe or sketch their perfect learning ⁤environment. This prompt allows ‍them⁣ to think outside the box‍ and express ‌their preferences, making them feel a⁢ sense of ownership in the ​classroom.

Writing prompts like these provide an opportunity for students to explore‍ their⁣ individuality, establish ‌a positive classroom community, and ignite ‍their passion‍ for learning.⁤ By creating‍ a safe and inclusive space ⁢for self-expression⁤ from⁢ the⁤ very beginning,‍ teachers can set⁣ the stage for ​meaningful and engaging discussions throughout⁢ the ‍entire school year. So,⁣ let’s ⁣kickstart this academic ‌adventure‍ with ‍captivating writing prompts that will inspire endless creativity in our‍ students!

On ⁤the first day of school,⁤ bringing students together​ and creating a sense of⁤ community is ⁤essential. With a simple⁢ yet powerful activity ​using​ writing,‌ we can‌ foster connections⁣ right ⁤from the start.‍ By encouraging students⁢ to express themselves through writing, ‍we ​provide a ‍platform ⁤for each⁢ individual to be heard and understood, while also establishing a⁢ supportive and inclusive classroom environment.

One effective way to do⁤ this is through an interactive ‌journaling‌ session.‍ Set aside time⁣ for students ⁢to ⁣write freely about their thoughts, feelings, and expectations for the upcoming year. Encourage them‌ to⁤ express their⁢ goals, ​hopes, and ⁢even concerns. By giving them the freedom to write openly and honestly, we‌ can create a safe space ‍where students feel comfortable sharing and connecting with their ‌peers.

• Provide prompts that⁣ encourage self-reflection, such as asking students to write ⁢about their‍ favorite book or about ‌a⁢ challenge they overcame.
• Encourage ‌students to respectfully comment and share​ their thoughts on each other’s writing,⁢ fostering dialogue and understanding.
• Consider using icebreaker activities that involve writing, such as having students write a short poem introducing themselves⁣ to their classmates.

By incorporating writing into the first⁤ day of‍ school,​ we establish a ⁢foundation for building connections and ⁤fostering a supportive community. ‍Writing encourages self-expression,​ empathy, active ⁢listening, and understanding. ​It ⁢enables⁤ students to ‌share their⁢ unique voices and experiences, while also developing their ⁢reading and critical thinking skills. Let’s ⁤embrace ‍the power of writing to create ‌a classroom environment where everyone feels ‍valued and connected.

Writing is an essential ⁢skill⁤ that allows ‍students to express ‍their thoughts, ideas, and‍ emotions. ⁤It is crucial to provide ⁢students with engaging and effective writing prompts​ to ignite their ‌creativity and boost​ their confidence as⁢ communicators. Here are some ​unique and ‍inspiring writing prompts⁣ to kickstart the⁤ school year:

• 1. ‍Reflect on a significant life experience: Encourage students⁤ to explore and ⁤share a personal experience that ⁢had a profound impact on their⁣ lives. This⁤ prompt not⁣ only allows them to tap into ​their‍ emotions ⁣but also helps develop their narrative ​writing skills.
• 2. ​Invent ‌a⁣ futuristic gadget: ‍Challenge ⁣students to ‍imagine‌ a groundbreaking invention that would revolutionize ‌the future. This prompt promotes critical thinking, creativity,‍ and persuasive writing skills as they‍ describe the gadget’s​ purpose ​and benefits.
• 3. ⁢Write a letter to‌ your future self: ⁣ Have students envision their lives five years from now and write a letter to ⁤their future ⁣selves. This prompt ​encourages​ reflection, goal-setting, and expository ⁤writing as they convey advice, hopes, and ‌aspirations.

By incorporating these ⁢empowering writing prompts⁤ into ⁢the curriculum, students will be motivated to develop their ‌writing skills ⁢while exploring their unique perspectives​ and⁤ ideas. These prompts not only provide a‍ platform for self-expression but also foster creativity, critical thinking, ⁢and effective ​communication skills – essential for their personal and academic growth. Let the journey of writing begin!

The‍ first⁤ day of school can be⁣ both exciting and nerve-wracking ​for students. To help ease their worries ‍and ⁢foster a positive and growth-oriented mindset, incorporating writing activities⁣ into the⁢ day’s ⁢agenda ⁣can be a ⁣tremendous ⁣tool. These ‍activities not only ⁢inspire ‌confidence ⁢but⁤ also encourage self-expression ‌and creativity.

One engaging writing activity is to ‌have students create a “Letter​ to My Future⁢ Self.” Ask them to imagine ⁣themselves at the end of the school year and encourage​ them to write ⁤a letter to their future self, expressing their⁤ goals, hopes, and dreams. This activity‍ helps students set⁢ intentions⁣ for the school⁤ year ‍ahead, allowing ‌them to visualize their growth ​and progress. To make it even more interactive, you can provide decorative⁤ materials like ‌colorful pens, stickers, and post-it notes for students to personalize ‌their letters.

Starting the school year off‍ on the right foot⁣ is essential ⁤for ⁢building a​ positive classroom atmosphere and ⁣setting achievable goals. One effective​ way to accomplish this is by utilizing⁢ first day writing ​prompts. These ​prompts ⁤provide students with an opportunity ‍to reflect on their strengths, interests, and aspirations, ‍while also⁢ encouraging‍ them to think ‍about how they ‍can contribute‌ to ⁣a supportive and⁣ inclusive learning environment. By incorporating ‌these ⁤prompts into your lesson plans,⁤ you ⁢can foster a sense ​of community, boost self-confidence, and create ⁢a​ positive⁤ classroom dynamic.

First day writing prompts can cover a diverse range ‌of topics, ⁤such as personal experiences, academic goals, or ⁤even fun icebreaker questions. Here are a few‍ ideas to get‌ you started:

• “Describe a time when you felt proud ‌of an accomplishment. What did you learn from​ that experience?”
• “What are your‌ goals for this school year, both academically‍ and personally? How⁤ do you plan to achieve them?”
• “Share an interesting‌ fact about yourself ⁢that ​others might not know.”

Encourage students to express ⁤themselves freely⁣ and authentically. Remind them ‍that there are⁤ no ⁤right or wrong answers, and that their ​responses⁢ will help⁣ shape​ the‌ classroom environment. By allowing⁢ students to⁢ share ⁤their thoughts ‌and insights, you can establish a foundation ⁤of trust⁤ and respect⁤ from day one,⁣ fostering a positive ​and inclusive atmosphere where ⁤everyone⁢ feels valued.

Welcome back, ‌students! ‌As we kick⁢ off ⁢the new⁢ school⁤ year, ⁢it’s time ‍to get ⁣those ‌creative gears ⁣turning with some thought-provoking writing prompts. These prompts will not only ignite your imaginations but also encourage you⁢ to explore new ⁣ideas, ⁣challenge​ your thinking, and develop ​your writing skills. Get‌ ready⁣ to embark on an exciting journey ​of self-expression and discovery!

1. Reflective Prompts:

• Describe a time when ‍you overcame a difficult challenge and what‍ you learned ‌from it.
• Imagine you are a‍ character in ⁤your favorite novel. Rewrite‍ the ending, exploring an alternate outcome.
• Think about a personal‍ accomplishment you ⁣are proud​ of. Explain why it‌ is⁢ important to‍ you and ‍how it ​has shaped ‌you.

2. Imaginative Prompts:

• Transport ​yourself to ⁣a futuristic world and write a⁣ short story about​ how society⁢ has drastically changed.
• Create a conversation between‌ two inanimate objects. What ⁣would ⁢they talk about?
• If you could‌ possess⁢ any superpower,⁤ what⁢ would it ⁣be​ and ⁤how would⁢ you use it to⁣ make the ⁣world⁢ a better place?

Remember, ⁣writing‍ is not just⁢ about grammar ⁣and punctuation; ​it’s‌ about expressing‍ your thoughts, emotions, and unique perspective. Use these prompts as ⁤a⁤ springboard to showcase your⁤ creativity and engage⁢ in meaningful ​self-reflection. Let your imagination⁣ roam free and allow your⁤ words to ​paint vibrant ⁣pictures on the canvas of⁤ paper. Get ready to embark on ⁣a captivating ‍writing journey this school year!

Q: What are some ​first ‌day of school writing prompts? A: Some ⁢first ⁢day ​of school‍ writing prompts include: – Describe ​your summer vacation in 5 words. – Write a letter ‍to your future ‌self. What⁤ do you ⁢hope to achieve this school year? – If you ⁢were a teacher for⁤ a day, what would you do differently? – Imagine ​you could ‍create a⁣ new subject for your school.⁣ What would it be and why? – Reflect on a time ⁢when you ‌overcame a challenge.​ How did ​it make you feel?

Q: ⁢Why ⁣are​ first day of school writing prompts important? A: First ⁢day of ⁤school ⁣writing​ prompts⁢ are important because they ‌encourage students‌ to start⁢ the year off with creative thinking and self-reflection. They help to establish a positive and engaging ⁢classroom atmosphere, allowing students to express their thoughts and‌ ideas freely.

Q: How⁣ can writing prompts benefit students on ​their first day? A:⁣ Writing prompts benefit‌ students on their ⁢first day by ⁤creating a sense of excitement and curiosity about⁣ the upcoming school year. They also allow educators to gain insight into their students’​ interests,⁢ personalities, and writing abilities early​ on, helping to ‍shape their‌ instruction⁢ and ​meet individual student ‌needs.

Q: Will ‌students ‍enjoy writing on their ⁣first day of school? A: Generally, students do enjoy ‌writing on their first‍ day of school, as it gives them an opportunity to express themselves ⁤creatively and ‍share their experiences. ‌It breaks the ice and helps build a positive classroom⁣ environment where ⁣students ​feel comfortable‌ sharing their thoughts and ideas.

Q: How can⁤ teachers ⁤use first⁣ day writing prompts in the classroom? A: Teachers can use first day⁣ writing prompts in various‌ ways. They ‌can start ⁣the day with a ⁤short writing⁣ activity to engage⁤ students as they‍ enter the ⁤classroom. Teachers​ can ‌also⁢ assign⁤ longer writing ​tasks, encouraging students to⁣ share ⁢their work with classmates‍ and ⁢engage⁢ in peer feedback. ‌Additionally, these prompts can be⁤ used ‌as a resource throughout ‍the year,‍ inspiring writing assignments or fueling classroom discussions.

Q: Are ‌there‍ any ‌benefits‌ of using ⁣writing ⁤prompts beyond the ‍first⁢ day of school? A: Absolutely!⁤ Writing prompts are a versatile tool that can be⁢ used‍ throughout the ⁤year. They promote critical thinking, creativity,⁣ and help develop students’ writing skills. Writing‌ prompts can also​ serve ⁤as catalysts for classroom discussions, allowing students to explore ‍various topics‍ in depth and express their ideas confidently.

Q: Can writing prompts be adjusted for different grade levels? A: Yes, ‌writing‌ prompts can be adjusted‌ to suit ​different‌ grade levels. For ⁤younger students, ⁣prompts can ⁤be more visual or involve drawing pictures alongside the​ writing. Older students may be given more complex prompts that require synthesizing information⁣ or analyzing concepts. Teachers⁣ can adapt the level of difficulty based on the specific ⁢needs and abilities of their students.

Q:‍ How can teachers make⁢ writing⁤ prompts ‍more‌ engaging ‍for students? A: To ​ensure writing‍ prompts are engaging‌ for students, teachers ‍can ⁣make them relevant‍ to ‍their lives and experiences. They can incorporate current ⁢events , popular​ culture references, ⁢or allow⁤ students‌ to choose ​their own writing topics. Additionally, providing ⁣clear instructions, creative ⁣examples, and opportunities ⁤for peer collaboration can make⁤ the writing⁤ process more enjoyable‍ for students. ⁣

In conclusion, using‍ writing prompts on⁣ the first day of ‌school is a great ⁣way​ to engage​ students⁣ and kickstart​ their​ creativity for the⁢ year ahead.

Penguin Writing Prompts: Explore Tales of Antarctic Adventures

Virginia SOL Writing Prompts: Prepare for State Assessments

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities.

Welcome to Creative Writing Prompts

At Creative Writing Prompts, we believe in the power of words to shape worlds. Our platform is a sanctuary for aspiring writers, seasoned wordsmiths, and everyone. Here, storytelling finds its home, and your creative journey begins its captivating voyage.

© 2024 Creativewriting-prompts.com

30+ Back to School Writing Prompts 🍎

by Sue Weems | 0 comments

Students are heading back to school this month and next, and if you're like me, you remember that old standby back to school writing prompt: “What did you do over summer”. If you're looking for some new ideas to get students back in the habit of writing while you have a little fun developing skills, try one these fun writing prompts!

When I was teaching middle school and high school students, I loved using writing prompts for those early days of school (and truly year round). Students are still trying to figure out how to get through new classes and friendships, and writing is an opportunity to gently get to know each other.

How to use prompts with students

Two things helped me set the tone in those early days. The first is this: everyone writes. I set a timer, even if it was only for five minutes and we write. Me included! It meant that sometimes I walked around the room with my notebook and pen in hand trying to get my own words down while silently directing students back on task, but it set an example.

The second thing was this: I always open the floor for sharing at the end of writing time. Sometimes I encouraged students to share with someone near them, other times I would take volunteers, but I always offered it.

Here's how you can make sharing writing more accessible for every student. First, set a timer. If we wrote for five minutes, I might open the floor for another three to four minutes for sharing. Then, limit what is shared. At the beginning of the year, I ask students for a sentence or two they'd like to share.

I never force students to share, and we made it a time to celebrate thinking and word play, instead of focusing on grammar (that came later!). Within a month or two, nearly every student felt comfortable sharing at least a sentence with peers. And that's not easy, even for adults!

Mix up your prompts!

When you're choosing prompts, I love to do a mix each week. I might have mentor sentence Monday where we share a sentence from a writer we'll be reading that week and we all try to write a similar sentence and play with the structure.

We might have a revision prompt on Wednesdays, where students use the grammar skills we've been learning to correct a set of sentences or write their own correctly.

I might have a question that sparks a debate in preparation for a discussion or novel study. Once a month, I might offer a prompt to review their favorite song/ food/ video game/ show for the week.

Using a mix of prompt ensures that students get to think about writing in a variety of ways, and they begin to see that even if one type of writing isn't their favorite, there are other ways to express themselves too.

First week of school prompts

• Rate this first day/week from 1-5, 5 being best. Imagine you're writing a script for a short social media video about what has been the best and what could be improved. Be specific.
• Write an advertisement like a help wanted ad for the best teacher/ coach/ tutor/ principal ever. Be specific about the qualities needed and why.
• What is your favorite subject or topic? It can be a school subject, like English or math, OR just a topic of interest like dinosaurs or soccer or a specific video game. Imagine someone wanted to learn about that topic and took a class. Write a description of what the best class on that subject in school would include.
• Imagine the best school routine for you. What would the day look like? What would you spend the most time on to meet your academic goals and personal aspirations?
• As an elementary student, what did you love during the school day and why? How could you incorporate more of that in your current schedule?

Creative writing prompts

1. Create a scene where you send something unusual to school. Examples: your dog, a pet rock, your soccer ball, a parent. What classes would you have them take? What would they learn?

• Write a story about a character who steps into what looks like a regular school building and instead finds a very different world inside. This new environment could be magical, like a school for wizards or an academy for superheroes, or surreal, like a place where math problems come to life. Describe the classes they attend, the classmates they meet, and the lessons they learn in this unexpected school setting.
• Write a scene where your favorite character interviews their biggest enemy.
• Write a story where a character is on a dream school trip but something happens that derails the whole thing, and the character has to come to the rescue.
• Write about a summer break that ends when something unexpected interrupts making the main character ready to go back to school.

Regular writing practice

Story and narrative writing practice.

Rewrite the following sentences being much more specific. For example, with the first prompt, consider the verb “went.” While it's technically correct, it isn't very precise. How did you go? Did you meander? Sprint? Drive a speedster? Also, what store? Be specific. For each one, try to build it into a sentence or two that helps the reader visualize it. (Hint, use sensory details.)

• I went to the store.
• She walked through the yard.
• He got mad.
• We got in the water.
• She played in the street.

Persuasive Paragraph writing practice

• Write a paragraph using evidence from your own experience that answers this prompt: What day at school is the best day and why?
• Write a paragraph using evidence from your own experience that answers this prompt: Which sidekick would be the most helpful If you were a superhero and why?
• Write a paragraph using evidence from your own experience that answers this prompt: What food should be offered in the cafeteria at school and why?
• Write a paragraph using evidence from your own experience that answers the prompt: What is the single most important teacher tip you could offer a new teacher and why?
• Write a paragraph using evidence from your own experience that answers the prompt: What part of your daily routine (at home or school) is the most important and why?

Personal narrative writing prompts

• Tell the story of how you got a scar.
• Share the most memorable moment you've had with a person who inspires you.
• Write about a lesson you learned outside of school.
• Share a cherished childhood memory and why you think it's so memorable.
• Write about the biggest challenge you have overcome so far and how you did it.

Academic journal prompts

• What are your future goals? Create one long-term goal for the year, but then think about what one small part of that you could do this week.
• What was one thing you learned today?
• Who taught you something today? (Bonus if it wasn't a teacher!)
• How did you show kindness to someone today?
• What was your favorite activity today and why?
• What is one topic you'd like to learn more about?
• What subject at school do you feel you need more help with? How can you ask for that help?
• What are three things you can do to keep your work organized?
• Who could you thank at school today?
• How could you challenge yourself today at home or at school?

As students get back to their studies, I hope we'll all make time to write. It's such a terrific way to learn AND to play. Make it a part of your home or classroom routine and see how creative students can be. Looking for more prompts? Take a look at our top 150 short story ideas here or the August prompts here. 

What was the most memorable back to school experience you've had? Share in the comments .

Choose one of the prompts above and set the timer for fifteen minutes .

When you're finished, share your story in the Pro Practice Workshop for feedback from the community. And if you share, please be sure to comment on a few stories by other writers.

Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler with an advanced degree in (mostly fictional) revenge. When she’s not rationalizing her love for parentheses (and dramatic asides), she follows a sailor around the globe with their four children, two dogs, and an impossibly tall stack of books to read. You can read more of her writing tips on her website .

Work with Sue Weems?

Award-winning instructor and writer of 20+ years, book coach, and editor. Sue Weems specializes in working with Children's, Memoir, Middle Grade, Mystery, Nonfiction, Romance, and Thriller books. Sound like a good fit for you?

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

Join over 450,000 readers who are saying YES to practice. You’ll also get a free copy of our eBook 14 Prompts :

Popular Resources

Best Resources for Writers Book Writing Tips & Guides Creativity & Inspiration Tips Writing Prompts Grammar & Vocab Resources Best Book Writing Software ProWritingAid Review Writing Teacher Resources Publisher Rocket Review Scrivener Review Gifts for Writers

Books By Our Writers

You've got it! Just us where to send your guide.

Enter your email to get our free 10-step guide to becoming a writer.

You've got it! Just us where to send your book.

Enter your first name and email to get our free book, 14 Prompts.

Want to Get Published?

Enter your email to get our free interactive checklist to writing and publishing a book.

First Day Of School Journal Prompts

💾 Print or download a free PDF copy of this page:

Jumpstart the school year with our "first day of school journal prompts". Unleash your child's creativity and enhance their writing skills with these engaging and insightful prompts, designed to make school beginnings exciting.

Attending the first day of school every year is a whirlwind of emotions and experiences. Turning these moments into words can be a cathartic and enriching process. Journaling about it not only helps to capture these memories but also fosters creativity and improves writing skills.

In this article, we’ll be sharing a trove of first day of school journal prompts that will guide your writing journey. Whether you’re a student looking to record your experiences, a teacher intending to encourage classroom activity, or a parent wishing to engage your child in meaningful dialogue, our expertly-curated list of prompts is here to inspire you.

So, sharpen your pencils, open your journal, and let’s embark together on this exciting journey of capturing those first-day-of-school moments. 💼📚

Reflecting On Summer Vacation

Reflecting on Summer Vacation allows students to look back on their experiences, unwind their thoughts, and record memorable moments before jumping back into the academic year. Here are 20 journal prompts to inspire reflection on Summer Vacation:

• Describe the most exciting experience you had this summer.
• Recount a day when you felt incredibly relaxed.
• Write about an unexpected adventure or event that happened.
• Describe the tastiest food or meal you tried over the summer.
• Write about a moment where you felt proud of yourself.
• List three new places you visited and what you loved about each one.
• Write about a book you read this summer that inspired you.
• Reflect on something new you learned about yourself.
• Describe a memorable interaction with a person you met or spent time with.
• Write about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
• Recount a fun tradition or recurring event over the summer.
• Reflect on a happened event that influenced your view on some things.
• Describe a beautiful scene you witnessed in nature.
• Write about a moment this summer when you missed school and why.
• List three things you wish you had the opportunity to do but didn't.
• Reflect on the goals you set at the start of the summer and whether you achieved them.
• Write about a project or activity you undertook that made you happy.
• Describe a habit you developed this summer that you would like to keep during school.
• Write about something unexpected that surprised you.
• Reflect on the most important lesson you learned this summer and how it will help you in the upcoming school year.

Sharing Goals For The New School Year

Sharing Goals for the New School Year through journal prompts encourages students to set ambitions and express aspirations, helping them start the academic term with clarity and purpose. Here are 20 writing prompts that center around sharing goals for the coming academic year:

• Write down your main goal for this school year and explain why it is important to you.
• Recall a goal you achieved last year and describe how you felt when you achieved it.
• List three steps you can take to achieve your main goal.
• Write about a skill you want to improve this school year.
• Picture yourself on the last day of this school year. What would you like to have accomplished?
• Describe an academic obstacle that you would like to overcome this school year.
• Write down a goal related to your favorite subject. Why is this goal significant to you?
• If you could learn anything this year, what would it be?
• Write about a personal growth goal for the school year.
• Write a letter to your future self about the goals you wish to achieve.
• Describe what success looks like to you by the end of this school year.
• What hobby or extra-curricular activity would you like to pursue or excel at this year?
• List down three habits you want to cultivate this school year to help you achieve your goals.
• Write about a book or topic you'd like to explore further this year.
• Describe a goal that involves your friends or classmates.
• Write down a goal related to a subject or topic you find challenging.
• What change would you like to see in your school life this year?
• Describe a new experience or activity you want to try this school year.
• Write down a goal that scares you a little. Why does it scare you, and why do you want to achieve it?
• How can achieving your school year goals make you a better person?

Introducing Yourself

The concept of "Introducing Yourself" gives you a chance to share about your hobbies, interests, family, and goals with a new set of glassmates on the first day of school through creative journal writing. Below are 20 journal prompts that will inspire you to break the ice and show your personality openly and honestly:

• Start by penning down your full name, and describe what it means to you.
• Write about where you were born and raised.
• Share your favorite hobbies and why you enjoy them.
• Create a list of your favorite books and movies. State why you connect with them.
• Detail your summer vacations, specifically what you loved about the experience.
• Describe your favorite school subject and why it fascinates you.
• Write about your closest friend and how you met.
• Share a story about a memorable family tradition.
• Detail your dream job and why you aspire to it.
• Write about your most cherished memory and what makes it special.
• Express what stresses you out, and how you cope with stress.
• Create a list of things you want to accomplish this school year.
• Share a personal goal and what steps you plan to take to achieve it.
• Write about your favorite meal and describe why it’s your favorite.
• Share an interesting fact or story about your hometown.
• Write about an accomplishment you're proud of and why.
• Share your favorite song or band, and why their music speaks to you.
• Pen down your favorite quote or saying, and explain why it inspires you.
• Write about a challenge you’ve faced and how you overcame it.
• Finish by sharing your hopes for this school year and what you're looking forward to.

Hopes And Anxieties

Hopes and anxieties are common feelings surrounding the first day of school, and journaling can provide a healthy and productive outlet to explore these emotions. To guide your writing, consider the following 20 prompts about hopes and anxieties:

• Write about one hope and one fear related to meeting new people.
• Describe how you want to present yourself on your first day.
• Create a list of activities you are looking forward to this school year.
• Discuss a time when a fear you had about school turned out to be unfounded.
• What are your three biggest concerns about the upcoming school year?
• Imagine it's the end of the school year. What achievements do you hope to have accomplished?
• How would you handle a situation in which you felt left out or isolated?
• Write a letter to your future self about your hopes for this school year.
• Visualize an ideal school day. What happens?
• Document your feelings about maintaining your grades this year.
• Discuss your feelings towards meeting your new teacher or teachers.
• What are some strategies you could employ if you start to feel overwhelmed?
• Illustrate how you hope to balance school, extracurriculars, and personal life.
• Describe a potential situation that makes you anxious, and how you would deal with it.
• Write a list of personal goals for this academic year.
• Imagine a conversation with a new friend you hope to make.
• Discuss any anxiety you feel about leaving behind an old school or class.
• What are some steps you can take if school becomes too stressful?
• Describe a character strength you hope to further develop this school year.
• Write about any worries you have regarding academic or social pressures.

Expectations For The First Day

Settling into the dynamics of a new routine on the first day of school can be both scary and exciting. Here are 20 journal prompts about your expectations for the first day:

• Write about three things that you are most excited about for the first day.
• List five of your worries about your first day of school.
• Pen down your plan of action if your day starts going off-track.
• Imagine the best case scenario for your first day. What does it look like?
• Consider the worst case scenario for your first day. How would you respond to it?
• Describe your ideal first impression on your new teacher and class mates.
• Write about one personal goal you want to achieve on your first day.
• Think about what kind of student you want to be known as. Why?
• Contemplate on the biggest challenge you may face on your first day, and how you'd overcome it.
• Write about the type of classroom environment you hope to encounter.
• Reflect on a lesson your previous school term taught you that you'll use on your first day.
• Write about the qualities you are looking for in a new friend.
• Describe your thoughts about riding the school bus for the first time/again.
• Reflect on your feelings about having lunch in a new cafeteria/with new people.
• Jot down your thoughts on adapting to a new learning style.
• List three things that you're nervous about and how you plan to handle these feelings.
• Write down what you expect the most challenging subject will be, and why.
• Describe any personal strengths or talents you'd like to bring into the classroom.
• Share your expectations about after-school activities.
• Reflect on your hopes for achieving a good work-life balance during the new term.

Teacher Impressions

Recording our first impressions of our new teachers helps to remember our initial reactions and feelings about our new academic year. Here are 20 writing prompts centered around Teacher Impressions:

• Write about your new teacher's appearance.
• Note down the first words your teacher said to the class.
• How did the teacher make you feel when you first saw them?
• Describe the teacher's demeanor during the first class.
• Share any unique teaching method you noticed on the first day.
• Highlight one thing the teacher said that sparked your interest.
• Did the teacher begin the class with a story or an anecdote? Write it down.
• How did your teacher react to the students' questions or responses?
• What are three expectations your teacher set for the class?
• What subject does the teacher seem most enthusiastic about teaching?
• Write a note about any special materials or tools the teacher uses.
• If you had to describe your teacher in one word, what would it be and why?
• Did your teacher give any advice or life lessons on the first day? What were they?
• What is one thing you think you are going to enjoy in this teacher's class?
• Are there any classroom rules that your teacher insisted upon?
• How does this teacher's style compare to last year's teacher?
• Is there anything about the teacher's approach that you think you might find challenging?
• Share your thoughts on the teacher's classroom layout or organization.
• Did your teacher mention a favorite book or author? Who was it?
• Write about your hopes of what you want to learn from this teacher this year.

New Classroom Environment

Exploring the new classroom environment through journaling can help students adjust, observe, and appreciate their surroundings, and it also plays a crucial role in cultivating their sense of belonging and comfort in their new learning space. Here are 20 prompts that focus on the new classroom environment:

• Write about your first impressions of your new classroom. What caught your eye immediately?
• Illustrate a map of your new classroom. Label the different areas and what they're used for.
• Pen down three things that you like about your new classroom.
• Write about any fears or concerns you have about the new classroom.
• Compare your new classroom to the last one, citing at least three differences.
• Write a short note to your teacher suggesting an improvement to the classroom environment.
• Describe a part of your classroom that makes you feel comfortable and why.
• Write about any unique or interesting features of your new classroom.
• In your view, what could make the environment in this classroom more conducive for learning?
• What is something you would like to change about your new classroom, and why?
• How would you describe the "vibe" or atmosphere of the new classroom?
• Write about one place in the classroom you look forward to exploring or using.
• What does your new classroom tell you about your teacher or the school in general?
• Imagine you could add one thing to your classroom, what would it be and why?
• Describe how you organize your own workstation in the classroom.
• Write a thank you note to someone who helped you get comfortable in the new classroom.
• Pen your thoughts about the role of a classroom in your learning.
• Write about a classroom rule you do not understand and why.
• Describe how you found your seat on the first day and who sits next to you.
• Write about ways you would personalize your corner of the new classroom if given a chance.

First Day Friendships

First Day Friendships are the initial connections or interactions made during the first day of school that often help shape a student's early school experience. Here are 20 journal prompts about First Day Friendships:

• Write about the first classmate you met on the first day. What was your initial impression of them?
• Create a dialogue of how you introduced yourself to a new classmate.
• Describe the moment you found a friend on the first day.
• Jot down three qualities you would like in a new school friend.
• Imagine a day spent with your new first-day friend, what would you do together?
• Reflect on any initial challenges you faced while trying to make new friends.
• Write about someone who helped you feel welcome on the first day.
• Explore a funny or embarrassing moment you shared with your new friends.
• Detail a random act of kindness you witnessed between two classmates on the first day.
• Write a short letter to your future self about the friendships you hope to keep throughout the year.
• Describe someone who made your first day of school more enjoyable.
• List three things you learnt about your new friend on the first day.
• Write about a group activity that helped you interact with others.
• Share your first impressions of your classmates and what drew you to your new friends.
• Consider a highlight of your first school day shared with a friend.
• Detail the common interests you and your new friend discovered on the first day.
• Record any apprehensions you had about making new friends on the first day and how you overcame them.
• Write a thank you note to a classmate who made your day less stressful.
• Discuss how friendships formed on the first day could change your school experience.
• Reflect on your hopes for these new friendships as the school year progresses.

Favorite Summer Moments

Reflecting on Favorite Summer Moments through first day of school journal prompts enables the re-living of joyful experiences and the expression of gratitude, enriching our writing and fostering positivity. Below are 20 prompts to guide you in recalling your Favorite Summer Moments:

• Describe your most memorable day during the summer. What made it special?
• Which person did you spend the most time with and why did you enjoy their company?
• Write about a new place you visited this summer.
• Share a funny incident that happened during the summer.
• Reflect on something you learned about yourself during the summer break.
• Write about a favorite meal or treat you enjoyed during the summer.
• Describe a moment of luck or surprise you experienced.
• If you could relive one day from the summer, which day would you choose and why?
• Jot down a list of three things you are grateful for from this past summer.
• Describe the connection between a song or book you enjoyed and an event from the summer.
• Write about an outdoor activity or adventure you embarked upon.
• Share about a stranger you remember and the impact they had on you.
• Write about an achievement, accomplishment or milestone reached this summer.
• Describe the most beautiful sunset you watched this summer.
• Write about your best beach or pool experience.
• Share about a summer project or hobby you started or finished.
• Recall a day you spent totally unplanned – what did you enjoy about it?
• Describe a challenge you faced and how you handled it.
• Reflect on a conversation from the summer that's stayed with you.
• Write about how your pets or animals you encountered added joy to your summer.

Early School Year Predictions

"Early School Year Predictions" is a captivating segment of first day of school journal prompts, fostering anticipation for the coming year and setting personal performance goals. Here are 20 interesting writing prompts to explore this topic:

• Illustrate what you think might be the most challenging subject this year and how you plan to tackle it.
• Write about a new skill you wish to acquire by the end of this school year.
• What is one thing you hope to achieve socially in your class this year?
• Jot down how you envision your ideal study space to boost productivity.
• Predict a challenge you might face with your classmates and how you could address it.
• Contemplate on an extracurricular activity you're excited to pursue this school year.
• Describe your vision of a perfect school day.
• Propose a technique you plan to implement to improve time management this year.
• List five objectives you want to reach by the end of the school year.
• Document some academic milestones you hope to reach this term.
• Write about which subjects you think you will excel at this year.
• Visualize what your report card might look like at the end of the school year.
• Envisage the new friendships you hope to form this school year.
• Design a plan to balance school work and personal life effectively.
• Pen your thoughts on what change you would like to see in your school this year.
• Describe the steps you plan to take to achieve your highest grade.
• Define what success means to you for this upcoming school year.
• Envision the impact your favorite subject will have on your future career.
• Identify a weakness you want to overcome this school year.
• Picture a school trip or event you're curious and excited to experience this year.

Setting Academic Goals

Delving into setting academic goals through journaling can encourage a sense of purpose and direction, fostering a proactive approach towards education. Here are 20 writing prompts that can guide you in articulating and refining your academic goals:

• Write down a major academic goal you want to achieve this school year.
• Detail the actions you will take to accomplish this goal.
• Reflect on an academic goal you achieved last year. How did you feel?
• Describe an academic hurdle and how you intend to overcome it.
• List three strategies you plan to use to maintain focus on your goals.
• Envision where you see yourself acadically at the end of the school year.
• Write down a goal that seems difficult to achieve. Break it down into smaller goals.
• Describe a subject or topic you want to improve in and a goal to achieve that.
• Reflect on a goal that seems easy to achieve. How would achieving it make you feel?
• Write a letter to your future self about your hopes for the school year.
• Describe a person who inspires you academically. What qualities do they have that you aspire to develop?
• List steps you will take when you feel overwhelmed by your academic responsibilities.
• Write about how achieving your academic goals will contribute to your overall life goals.
• Reflect on a time when you didn’t meet your academic goals. What did you learn?
• Describe a study habit you want to develop to help you achieve your goals.
• Create a timeline for important tasks related to achieving your academic goals.
• Reflect on what motivates you to maintain perseverance when striving to achieve your academic goals.
• Write about the potential obstacles to your academic goals and ways to address them.
• Describe how you plan to celebrate when you achieve your academic goals.
• Write a gratitude note to yourself for the progress you will make in achieving your academic goals.

Meeting New People

Meeting new people is an integral part of the first day of school experience, offering opportunities for students to forge connections, learn about diverse backgrounds, and foster empathy and understanding. Here are 20 writing prompts that delve into the realm of meeting new people:

• Write about your first impression of your new seatmate.
• Describe in detail the new friend you made.
• Write a letter to a new classmate telling them what you'd like them to know about you.
• Reflect on a conversation with someone who has a very different background from you.
• What was something intriguing you learnt about a new acquaintance?
• Discuss your thoughts on the newly introduced teacher's methods or demeanor.
• What was the most interesting introduction given by a new classmate?
• Write about what stood out about a new person you met today.
• Imagine a conversation you could have with a new friend next week.
• List the unique qualities you observed in three new people you met.
• Describe a surprise interaction you had with a new person.
• Tell a short story of a meaningful interaction you had with a new classmate.
• Write from the perspective of a new classmate meeting you for the first time.
• What made you feel connected with a new person you met today?
• Think about a question you wish you had asked a new friend or teacher.
• Pen down your thoughts on the diversity in your new class or school.
• Describe a funny encounter you had with someone new.
• Write about the moment you realized you made a new friend today.
• Reflect on a scenario where you felt misunderstood by a new acquaintance.
• Describe what you might have in common with a new classmate, based on your first impressions.

Finding Extracurricular Interests

Exploring extracurricular interests through journaling can provide an avenue to discover new passions and hobbies, broadening personal enrichment and joy. Launch your discovery with these 20 writing prompts centered around finding extracurricular interests:

• List five extracurricular activities you have tried before and note what you liked or disliked about each.
• Discuss an extracurricular activity you have always wanted to try and how you feel about eventually pursuing it.
• Write about your dream hobby or interest, however unattainable it may seem.
• Consider a hobby or interest that may challenge you. Write about what you find compelling about it.
• Write a letter to your future self about an extracurricular interest you hope to be proficient in.
• Describe an experience where you tried a new hobby and it didn't work out. What lessons did you learn from this?
• Detail a day in the life of a professional in the field of an extracurricular interest you admire.
• Imagine you could instantly obtain any skill necessary for an extracurricular activity. What skill would you choose and why?
• Write about an extracurricular activity you believe can help you in your daily life or future career.
• List three people who inspire you with their extracurricular pursuits and discuss why.
• Create a plan of action for getting involved in a new hobby or interest you've always wanted to try.
• Consider a hobby or interest you've abandoned in the past. Why did you give it up and would you ever consider picking it up again?
• Write a dialogue between yourself and a friend, discussing your favorite hobbies and why you enjoy them.
• Describe a time when you felt proud about an achievement in an extracurricular activity.
• Detail any barriers or challenges that might be preventing you from pursuing a specific extracurricular interest and brainstorm solutions.
• Imagine if financial and time constraints were non-existent. What hobby or interest would you pursue?
• Write about an extracurricular interest you would like to share with your friends or family.
• Think of a person you know who is deeply passionate about their hobby. Write about what draws you to their enthusiasm.
• Describe an extracurricular activity that made a significant impact on your life.
• Reflect on an extracurricular achievement you hope to reach by the end of the school year.

Planning School Lunches

Planning school lunches within the scope of first day of school journal prompts encourages kids to express their thoughts and preferences about their meals while simultaneously enhancing their decision-making and planning skills. Here are 20 journal prompts related to planning school lunches:

• Write down what your ideal school lunch would look like. Include a main dish, two sides, and a drink.
• How would you make your current school lunch healthier?
• Describe your favorite school lunch from last year. What made it your favorite?
• If you were in charge of the school cafeteria for a day, what meals would you serve?
• Write about a school lunch you've had that you never want to eat again. Why was it so unappealing to you?
• If you had to pack a lunch for a classmate, what would you prepare and why?
• Think about a time when you shared your lunch with a friend. How did that experience make you feel?
• Reflect on a day where you forgot your lunch or didn't have one. How did you manage?
• Design a perfect 'theme' lunch – everything from the food to the packaging matches a particular theme.
• Write about your favorite lunchtime memory at school.
• List three snacks you would love to see in your lunchbox every day.
• Describe a foreign meal you've never tried but would like to include in your school lunch.
• Record a week's worth of school lunch menus you would enjoy.
• Write about why it’s important to have a balanced and nutritious school lunch.
• If you could choose to eat lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you serve?
• Describe what the atmosphere is like during lunchtime at school.
• Imagine you're a chef for a day, what kind of innovative lunch meal would you create for students?
• Write about your thoughts when opening a lunchbox packed by someone else.
• If you could update the school's lunch policy, what changes would you suggest?
• Document your feelings before and after having a good lunch at school.

Personal School Memories

Reflecting on Personal School Memories in the context of first day of school journal prompts allows us to explore and relive the unique experiences and feelings associated with these important milestones. Below are 20 journal prompts that aim at stimulating your memories of personal school experiences:

• Write about your most memorable first day of school. What made it stand out?
• Describe how you felt on your first day of high school.
• Recall your first school bus ride. What can you remember about that journey?
• What was the first lunch you brought or bought at school? Why do you remember it?
• Describe your favourite first day of school outfit and why you chose it.
• Write about a friend you made on your first day of school. Are you still friends with them?
• Detail your earliest memory of a school playground or recess time.
• Who was your first teacher, and what impact did they have on your school journey?
• Describe your reaction when you first saw your school building. What impressions did it leave?
• What is the most embarrassing memory you have from the first day at school?
• Reflect on some of your school traditions. Which one do you remember from your first day?
• Describe the feeling when you had to say goodbye to your parents on the first day of school.
• Write about the first time you felt really proud of an achievement at school.
• How did you feel at the end of your first day at school? Were your feelings different from the start of the day?
• Detail one instance from your first day of school that you would change if you could go back. Why?
• Write about a funny incident that happened on your first day at school.
• Describe the first classroom you sat in. What was it like?
• Reflect on a first day of school tradition you wish your school had implemented.
• Describe your emotions before and after your first day at the new grade.
• Reflect on how your first day of school experiences shaped your perception of education.

Back To School Shopping

Back to school shopping is an essential part of preparing for the first day of school, providing an opportunity to write about anticipations, worries, and excitement. Here are 20 journal prompts regarding this topic:

• Detail the list of items you need to buy for the new academic year.
• Write about the excitement of shopping for new school supplies.
• Describe how you feel when you choose your first day of school outfit.
• What is your favorite item you purchased during back to school shopping and why?
• Compare your preferences for school supplies this year to those of last year.
• Write about the frustrations you encounter during back to school shopping.
• Describe the planning process for back to school shopping. How do you prioritize what to buy?
• Write about the experience of shopping with your friends or family for school supplies.
• Imagine an ideal shopping trip for school supplies. What does it look like?
• Discuss whether you prefer online or in-store shopping for school supplies and why.
• Narrate a funny or surprising incident that happened during previous back to school shopping.
• Record your thoughts on seeing new backpacks, lunchboxes, or school uniforms in the store.
• What do the new items you purchased for school say about you as a student?
• Document the financial aspect of back to school shopping. How do you or your family budget for it?
• Write about your thoughts on reusing last year's supplies or clothes.
• Draft a dialogue that might occur during your shopping expedition for school supplies.
• Describe the feeling of tagging and labeling your new school items.
• Record your thoughts when you see the back to school section in the stores for the first time.
• Explain how back to school shopping contributes to your readiness for the new academic year.
• Write about your thoughts on the transition from summer to school facilitated by back to school shopping.

Understanding New Lessons

Delving into new lessons on the first day of school through journaling encourages adaptability and comprehension skills, aiding academic and personal growth. Below are 20 prompts related to understanding new lessons:

• Write about one lesson you are excited to learn this year. Why does it interest you?
• Journal about any anxieties you have concerning a subject you'll be studying.
• Record your initial thoughts on your first math lesson of the year.
• Describe your feelings about your first language or literature lesson.
• What did you find challenging about your science lesson today, and how do you intend to cope with it?
• Write about the most surprising thing you learned in your history lesson today.
• Detail what you found enjoyable about your first art lesson of the year.
• Discuss your expectations for a new subject you're taking up this year.
• Note down any questions you have after your first geography lesson of the school year.
• What strategies can you adopt to understand your lessons thoroughly?
• Write about one lesson you think will be difficult and why.
• Describe a moment from your first PE lesson that you found exciting or challenging.
• Share your thoughts on a new topic introduced in your social studies class today.
• Detail your first impressions about your teacher’s style of introducing new lessons.
• Write about a lesson today that you feel you grasped quickly. Why do you think this was the case?
• Journal about a new idea you encountered in your first philosophy or ethics lesson.
• Write down three things you aim to improve in order to understand your lessons better.
• Share your first thoughts about a new concept introduced in your computer class.
• Describe your experience of group work or discussions during your first lessons.
• Based on the first day, how confident do you feel about understanding your school lessons this year and why?

Organizing School Supplies

Organizing school supplies is a practical yet creative task that can serve as a cornerstone for several exciting first day of school journal prompts. Here are 20 prompts related to the world of pencils, notebooks, crayons, and book bags:

• Describe the school supplies you can’t wait to use and why they excite you.
• Pen down your thoughts about the smell of new notebooks and its effect on you.
• How do you plan to decorate and personalize your school supplies?
• Write about the feelings that the act of organizing school supplies evokes in you.
• Imagine a scenario where your school supplies come to life. What would they say?
• Think about the messiest desk you've ever seen. How would you organize it?
• Describe your ideal workspace for homework and studying.
• Write a story based on the perspective of a lonely eraser left in your school bag.
• What are some creative ways you can reuse or recycle old school supplies?
• If you could invent a new school supply, what would it be and why?
• Describe the sensation of writing with a brand-new pen for the first time.
• Think about your favorite color of crayon or marker. Write about why you love it.
• How do you feel when a pencil breaks or a pen runs out of ink?
• Envision a world without any school supplies. How would school work change?
• Detail a day in the life of a backpack during the school year.
• Write about a time you lent a school supply to a friend. How did you feel?
• Discuss different ways of organizing supplies and your preferred method.
• Imagine your school supplies were magic. What special powers would they have?
• How do you feel about sharing your school supplies with others?
• If your schoolbag could talk about its contents, what would it say?

Describing Your First Day Outfit

Understanding and reflecting on your First Day Outfit describes an essential aspect of your first day of school, articulating more than just outward appearance, but also attitudes, feelings, and self-perception. Here are 20 journal prompts on Describing Your First Day Outfit:

• Draw or describe in detail what you wore on your first day of school.
• Explain why you chose this outfit for the first day of school?
• Did your outfit reflect your mood or attitude towards the first day? Elaborate.
• What part of your outfit did you like the most and why?
• Was your outfit comfortable or was it chosen purely for style? Discuss.
• Were there any accessories you wore? Why did you pick these?
• Did your outfit instill confidence in you?
• Did you receive any compliments or comments about your outfit? Describe how they made you feel.
• Was your outfit inspired by a certain fashion trend or style? For instance, casual, sporty, or formal?
• Did the weather have any effect on the outfit you chose?
• Were you worried about what others might think of your outfit?
• If you could change one thing about your outfit, what would it be and why?
• Was there a color theme in your outfit? What is the significance of this color to you?
• What's your favorite memory associated with this outfit from the first day of school?
• Did anyone wear a similar outfit? How did you feel about that?
• Write about how you felt while getting dressed.
• Describe your thought process while picking this outfit.
• Did you plan your outfit or was it a last-minute decision? Why?
• If this outfit could talk, what would it say about you?
• Looking back, how has your style evolved since this first day of school outfit?

Navigating Through The School Building

Navigating the school building on the first day can be a daunting experience packed with emotions, observations and discoveries, making it a rich topic for journaling. Here are 20 prompts that revolve around this theme:

• Describe the first time you saw your new school building.
• Detail your first impressions upon stepping into the school building.
• Write about your journey from the entrance to your classroom. What did you see along the way?
• Draw a map of your school and describe how you would explain the layout to a new student.
• Recall how you felt when you first got lost in the school.
• Reflect on a time when you asked for directions in school. How did it go?
• Write about your favorite spot in the school building and explain why it stands out to you.
• Chronicle your experience of visiting the restroom for the first time. What was different or unexpected?
• Detail an interesting interaction you had in the hallways.
• Reflect on your journey to the cafeteria. How did it smell, what did you hear?
• Write about an unfamiliar corner of the building you've yet to explore.
• Describe a funny or surprising event you witnessed in the common areas.
• Relive your first assembly in the school auditorium. What was the atmosphere like?
• Recall your first visit to the school library. Describe the books, the people, the quietness.
• Write about a time you found solace in a secluded part of the school.
• Describe something unique or quirky about your school building.
• Recall a time when you realized that you know your way around the school definitely.
• Write about your journey from your classroom to your school bus or home after the classes.
• Describe the classrooms. How are they different from or similar to your last school's classrooms?
• Reflect on a time when you felt at home in your school building.

Learning New Subjects

Exploring new topics through journaling can stimulate intellectual curiosity and foster a positive attitude towards learning novel subjects on the first day of school. Here are 20 insightful prompts to get you started:

• Write down three things you are excited to learn about in your new classes.
• Describe your feelings about undertaking a new subject you know nothing about.
• Pen down a new learning goal you have for this school year.
• Identify a fear or worry you have about studying a new subject, and outline how you aim to overcome it.
• Write a letter to your future self about what you hope to achieve in your new subjects.
• Imagine explaining a new subject you're studying to someone who knows nothing about it.
• What are some strategies you want to try for effective learning in a new field?
• Identify a habit you want to form that would aid in mastering a new subject.
• Express three questions you might have about a new subject you are going to learn.
• Reflect on a time when you initially struggled with a new topic, but ended up being good at it.
• Put down what the word 'learning' means to you in the context of new subjects.
• Write about a teacher you hope to have this year and why.
• Imagine it’s the end of the school year. What do you hope to say about your learning experience?
• Identify the resources that you need for being successful in learning new subjects.
• What subject do you think will be your favourite this year and why?
• Write a motivational note to yourself to get through the first hard chapter of a new subject.
• Reflect on previous mistakes made while learning a new subject and how you could avoid them this year.
• Write about how you plan to organize your notes for effective learning.
• How do you plan to ask for help when you encounter difficulties in a new subject?
• Put down the name of a person who inspires you to learn and become better. How can you implement their techniques?

Expectations For Homework

Understanding Expectations for Homework through journal writing is a helpful tool in setting clear goals and strategies for managing school assignments. Here are 20 topics to prompt reflection on homework expectations:

• Describe the ideal homework environment for you.
• What are your current strategies for managing homework effectively?
• List three challenges you might encounter while doing homework and how you plan to overcome them.
• Recall a past experience where you successfully completed a challenging assignment. How did you feel?
• Write down the importance of setting homework priorities.
• Discuss your personal views about the purpose of homework.
• What do you expect your biggest homework challenge to be this year?
• Describe what you imagine an ideal homework assignment looks like.
• How do you incorporate break time within your homework schedule?
• Imagine being a teacher. What type of homework would you assign and why?
• Reflect on a time when you did not meet your homework expectations. How would you make it different?
• List five resources that could help you complete your homework efficiently.
• How would you explain the concept of homework responsibility to a younger sibling?
• Explore how your perspective on the importance of homework has changed over the years.
• How do you manage homework stress? Discuss your coping strategies.
• Write a letter to your future self describing your current homework habits.
• How do you balance homework assignments with extracurricular activities?
• Reflect on a homework assignment that you are most proud of. Why?
• Discuss three things you do to ensure that your homework is submitted on time.
• What is your plan if you ever need help with a homework task?

Exciting Classroom Activities

Using first day of school journal prompts for Exciting Classroom Activities encourages students to reflect on their expectations, feelings, and goals for the new school year in a unique and enjoyable way. Below are 20 writing prompts that focus on engaging classroom activities:

• Write about one activity you are excited to try in school this year. Why does it interest you?
• Describe a project or activity that you want to accomplish by the end of the first semester.
• Imagine you are asked to create a new school event. What would it be and why?
• Write a short script for a classroom role-play about making new friends.
• Debate in your journal the pros and cons of group assignments versus individual work.
• Create a list of fun class discussion topics you want to explore with your peers.
• Reflect on your favorite classroom game from the last school year. Why did you enjoy it?
• Think about a new club you'd like to start at school. Detail the club's purpose and possible activities.
• Describe a "Dream Class Field Trip". Where would it be and what would you do?
• If you were to organize a classroom talent show, which talent would you showcase and why?
• Propose a new strategy for classroom cleanup duties. Why do you think your proposal would work well?
• Write about a scientific experiment you'd like to conduct in class. What do you hope to discover?
• Describe the perfect class party. What would be there and who would attend?
• Write about an activity you think would help everyone in class to get to know each other better.
• Plan a 'Mystery Box' challenge for your class. What’s inside the box and what are the clues?
• Discuss a charity project you would like your class to participate in.
• Detail an artefact you would bring in for a 'show and tell' session and its significance.
• Describe a medieval feast you're planning for a history lesson. What foods and entertainment will there be?
• If you were to start a week-long class project, what would it be and why?
• Create a plan for a DIY project you would like to introduce to your art class.

Classroom Rules And Regulations

Classroom Rules and Regulations play a pivotal role in guiding student's behavior and shaping a conducive learning environment, and reflecting upon them through journaling can foster a better understanding and observation of these decorums. Here are 20 writing prompts about Classroom Rules and Regulations:

• Describe your feelings about the classroom rules on your first day of school.
• Write about a time when you broke a classroom rule. What was the consequence?
• Imagine being a teacher. What rules and regulations would you enforce in your classroom?
• Recall an incident when you saw a classroom rule being violated. How did you react?
• How does following classroom rules and regulations make you feel? Do they enhance your learning experience?
• Describe a classroom rule that you find challenging to adhere to and why.
• Write about an instance where following a classroom rule benefited you.
• State three ways you can help enforce the classroom rules and regulations.
• Reflect on a classroom rule that you think is essential for every classroom.
• How do you feel when others don't abide by the classroom rules?
• Write a thank you letter to your teacher for maintaining the discipline with classroom rules and regulations.
• Explain whether you think all classroom rules are fair or if there are any you would change.
• Describe how the classroom rules and regulations help maintain harmony among the students.
• Write your own interpretation version of the golden rule of your classroom.
• What is the most important rule in the classroom and why?
• Think about a scenario where there were no classroom rules, what would it look like?
• Reflect on a rule that you initially disliked but then came to appreciate.
• How do you feel about the consequences given for breaking rules? Are they fair?
• Write a persuasive argument about changing a classroom rule you disagree with.
• Describe an instance where a classroom rule positively impacted the relationship between students.

Adapting To New School Timings.

Adapting to New School Timings can be a challenging but necessary part of beginning a new school year, and use of journal prompts can facilitate a smoother transition. Here are some prompts to assist you in adjusting to and reflecting on your new schedule:

• How did you feel when you woke up for the first day of school?
• Are the new school timings earlier or later than your previous school year? How do you feel about it?
• Write about your morning routine before school. What did you do first, and why?
• How long did it take for you to get ready for school? Was it a rush or did you have plenty of time?
• Write about how you spent your free time before the school started.
• Was it easy or difficult to adjust to these new timings on the first day? Explain your experience.
• Did you feel alert or drowsy during the day? Why do you think you felt this way?
• Describe your journey to school. Did the new timings affect this at all?
• Did you have trouble concentrating on your lessons? Do you think the new timings had something to do with it?
• Document your feelings when you arrived home. Were you tired, energetic, or something else?
• How did you balance homework with your relaxation time after school with the new timings?
• What adjustments might you make in your daily routine to accommodate with the new school timings?
• How did your lunch or snack times fit in with the new school timings? Was it at a suitable time, or did you feel hungry before?
• Did you have enough time for physical activities? How can you ensure to make time for it moving forward?

15.Ask yourself if you had time for your hobbies or extra-curricular activities on the first day? If not, how can you manage it? 16. Was it a struggle to adjust your sleep schedule for the new school timings? Write about your experience. 17. Were there any positive aspects to the new school timings? 18. Were you able to manage doing all your activities of the day with the new timing schedule? 19. How did you feel by the end of the day? Were you relieved, tired, or maybe even excited? 20. Did you have an opportunity to discuss with your family about your first day and new timings? If so, what was their response?

Share this page with a friend:

Browse more writing guides:.

Kindergarten Journal Prompts

Eating Disorder Journal Prompts

Bullet Gratitude Journal Ideas

Codependency Journal Prompts

Memories Journal Ideas

Christian Journal Prompts

Journal Prompts For Men

Preschool Journal Ideas

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Start typing and press enter to search

• Writing Prompts

150 Writing Prompts For Middle School (+Free Printable)

Make writing fun and easy, with these 150 writing prompts for middle school students. 

The more you write, the better you become at writing. But the problem is not all middle schoolers enjoy writing. There’s always something better to do, playing video games , watching YouTube videos , hanging with friends , lazing about the house – Why bother writing, right? The trick is to understand that even the smallest piece of writing can make a huge difference in a student’s attitude towards writing. 

If you unload too many lengthy assignments, such as writing 1,000 words on topic X or 3,000 about something, something – Writing can seem like a long, boring chore for some students. But if you break it down, and mix it up a bit, then your students have a real chance of actually liking writing for fun. Think of creating small writing tasks that take no longer than around 10 or 15 minutes to complete. As students complete these small tasks with ease, their confidence will grow, eventually turning them into avid young writers.

To help inspire and motivate young writers, we have created this list of 150 quick and easy writing prompts for Middle School students. Keep reading for a free printable writing pack for middle schoolers as well! Here is a quick generator that will generate a random middle school prompt for you:

For more fun writing ideas, check out this list of over 300 writing prompt for kids .

150 Writing Prompts For Middle School Students

This list of prompts is great for whenever your middle-schooler is bored and needs some quick ideas to write about:

• Make a list of at least three different opening lines for this story idea: A space knight living in outer space wants to fight a real fire-breathing dragon.
• Complete this sentence in at least three different ways: When I’m bored, I like to…
• Draw a picture of your dream house, and describe some of the coolest features it has.
• Make a top ten list of the scariest animals in the animal kingdom. You could even write down one scary fact about each animal.
• Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell z-o-m-b-i-e.
• Describe the scariest monster that you can think of. You could even draw a picture of it.
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: My goal for the next month is to…
• Make a top ten list of your favourite foods of all time. You could even write down one reason for why each food is your favourite.
• Create your own A-Z book or list of monsters. For A is for Abominable Snowman, B is for Bogeyman and so on.
• Research and write down five facts about an endangered species of your choice. Examples of endangered species include the blue whale, giant pandas, snow leopards and tigers.
•  Create a postcard for your local town or city. What picture would you draw on the front? And what message could you include on the back?
• Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell out your own first name. This poem could be about yourself. 
• Make a top ten list of your favourite movies of all time.
• Make a top ten list of your favourite songs of all time.
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways. When I grow up I want to…
• Which is your favourite season, Winter , Spring , Summer or Autumn? Write a haiku poem about your favourite season.
• Create a party invite for a dinner party at your house. Think about the party theme, entertainment, food and dress code.
• Write down a recipe that uses eggs as one of the ingredients.
• Write a how-to guide on how to take care of a kitten or puppy.
• What do you enjoy doing on the weekends? Start by making a list of activities that you do on the weekend. Then you can pick one to write about in more detail.
• Using a photograph (or one of these picture writing prompts ), write a short caption or description to go alongside it. 
• Imagine you are the owner of a new restaurant. Create a menu of the dishes you will serve at this restaurant. 
• What has been the best part of your day so far? And what has been the worst part of the day?
• Imagine that you have a time machine. What year would you travel to and why?
• If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
• If you could keep one dinosaur as a pet, which dinosaur would you pick and why?
• Write down everything you remember from a recent nightmare that you had. 
• What is your favourite country in the whole wide world? List at least five fun facts about this country.
• Make a list of at least 3 different story ideas about aliens.
• Create a character description of the world’s most evil supervillains.
• What is your greatest achievement to date? What are you most proud of and why?
• Write an action-packed scene that contains the following: A car chase, a lucky pair of socks and a talking parrot.
• What advice would you give to someone who is being bullied? You could make a list of at least three pieces of advice that you might give.
• Imagine you are stuck on a desert island. Write a diary entry of your first day on the island.
• Imagine you are a pirate sailing the seven seas. Talk about the scariest thing you faced while out at sea.
• You just discovered a new planet . Can you describe this new planet in detail? What would you call it? Does any life exist on the planet? What type of climate does it have?
• Would you rather have a magical unicorn as a pet or a fire-breathing dragon?
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: One day I was walking through the forest and discovered…
• Write a letter to your friend about a favourite memory you have of them. You can use the following starter as inspiration: Remember that time…
• Make a list of book title ideas for a story about a girl who can go invisible whenever she wants.
• A talking cat is fast asleep, then suddenly someone wakes it up. Write down a short script between the cat, and the person arguing. 
• What is the nicest thing that anyone has done for you recently?
• Make a list of 10 online safety tips to help you stay safe online.
• Can you think of at least 5 ways to prevent climate change in your daily life?
• Make a list of your top ten favourite books of all time.
• Think about a movie that you’ve seen recently. What did you enjoy most about this movie, and what did you dislike about it?
• You are just about to take a bite of an apple. And then suddenly the apple starts screaming. What do you do next?
• Describe a magical forest in great detail. What makes this forest so magical?
• Write a super scary scene, using the following starter: As I walked into the haunted house…
• What is your greatest fear? Is it possible to ever overcome this fear? If so, how would you do it?
• Make a list of at least five things you like about yourself. And then make a list of five things that you would change about yourself.
• What would the perfect day look like for you? How would it start? What activities would you do? And how does it end?
• You are standing in the playground when you hear two of your classmates making fun of your best friend. What do you do next?
• A young boy yells at his pet eagle to fly away into the wild. The eagle does not respond. Write down this scene between the two characters in great detail. 
• Describe a pencil in the greatest detail possible.
• Create your own superhero character. What are their strengths and superpowers? What about their weaknesses? Also, think of a cool superhero name for them!
• What is your dream job? What skills and traits do you need to do this job well?
• Imagine that you have had the worst day ever. Write down what happened to make it so bad.
• What is your favourite colour? Now write a short rhyming poem about this colour.
• If you had three wishes, what would you wish for and why? Wishing for extra wishes is not allowed.
• Write an action-packed scene of a lion chasing a zebra in the wild from the perspective of the lion. 
• Imagine you own a video gaming company. Your task is to come up with a new video game idea. Explain this new video game idea in detail.
• What would you do if you were given $1 million dollars? 
• What is your favourite hobby or interest? Can you provide at least five tips for beginners who might be interested in starting this hobby?
• Make a top ten list of your favourite celebrities or YouTube stars.
• Write the opening paragraph of a fairytale about a zombie prince who has returned from the dead.
• Write an alternative ending to a fairytale that you are familiar with. For example, you could write a sad ending for Cinderella or a cliff-hanger style ending for Jack and the Beanstalk.
• Write down a conversation in a script format between two people waiting for the bus at a bus stop.
• Would you rather get abducted by aliens, or discover a magical portal to another realm in your bedroom? Explain your answer.
• Write a shape poem about your favourite food in the shape of this food.
• If you had to prepare for a zombie invasion, which three items would you pack in your bag, and why?
• Describe the most beautiful garden in the world in detail. What type of flowers would it have? Would it have any garden furniture?
• You receive a strange parcel in the middle of the night. You open the parcel to discover… Write down at least one paragraph of what you discover in the parcel.
• Use the word, ‘Stampede’ in at least three different sentences.
• Complete the following metaphor in at least three different ways: Your smile is like…
• Describe the city of the future. What would the buildings look like? How will people travel? What kind of homes will people live in?
• What is Marie Curie (the physicist) famous for? Research and write down five facts about her research and studies. 
• You have just been made leader of the Kingdom of Kinloralm. As the leader, what rules would you set for the kingdom? Make a list of at least 10 rules that you will enforce. 
• A witch has cast a spell on you. Every night at midnight, you turn into a werewolf. Describe this transformation in great detail. What does it feel like when you are transforming? How does your skin change? What about your teeth and fingernails?
• Using the following starter , write at least one paragraph: When I look outside the window…
• After a deep sleep, you wake up to find yourself locked inside a cage. No one else is around. What do you do next?
• You keep on having the same nightmare every night. In your nightmare, you are running as fast as you can, and then you suddenly fall. When you turn around you see… Write at least one paragraph about what you see. 
• Write down at least 10 interview questions that you can ask your favourite celebrity. If you have time, you can even write down the potential answers to these questions from the perspective of the celebrity.
• Write a how-to guide on how to grow tomatoes at home.
• Make a list of at least five tips for keeping your bedroom clean.
• Would you rather drive the fastest car on Earth for one hour or own a custom-made bicycle? Explain your choice.
• Write a limerick poem about an old snail. 
• Find something in your room that begins with the letter, ‘R’, and write a paragraph describing this object in detail.
• Research the history of how the first mobile phone was invented. Create a timeline of mobile phone inventions from the very first mobile to the current time. 
• If you were the headteacher of your school, what changes would you make and why? Try to list and describe at least three changes. 
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of having access to the internet? Try to think of at least five benefits and five drawbacks.
• Write about the best day of your life so far. Then write about the worst day of your life so far.
• Imagine that you are an agony aunt for a newspaper. A reader has written to you with the following problem: Dear Agony Aunt, I have no friends at school. And my classmates are always making fun of me… What advice would you give this reader?
• Imagine that you are a salesperson. Your task is to sell a new chocolate bar to customers. Write down a sales pitch that was selling this chocolate bar. What features would you highlight? What are the benefits of this chocolate bar?
• Can you complete the following sentence in three different ways: When I feel upset, I …
• What is the most difficult part about being in middle school? What is the best part of middle school?
• Imagine that your best friend has just revealed a huge secret. How would you react? Write down a script of the conversation between you and your best friend.
• Have you learned any new skills recently? How did you learn these?
• Imagine you are sitting at a dinner party with a group of strangers. Describe the atmosphere in great detail. Who are you sitting next to? What sort of conversations are the other guests having? What food is being served?
• Five years from now, where will you be? Will you be the same person? How would you have changed?
• Write about your plans for the weekend.
• Describe a day in the life of being a goldfish in a fishbowl at a pet shop.
• While at the seaside, a message in a bottle washes up onto the shore. You open the bottle and read the message. The message reads: Help Me! I’m stranded on an island! What do you do next?
• A mother and her son are baking some muffins in the kitchen. Write down a conversation that they might have while they bake together.
• Make a list of indoor activities you can do when it’s raining outside. Try to think of at least ten activities.
• Write down a diary entry from the perspective of an alien secretly living undercover on Earth. 
• Write at least three different opening lines for the following story idea: A king needs to keep his kingdom safe from the ravenous trolls that come out at night.
• Imagine you are a secret agent cat, write about your most recent mission.
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: If I could change the world, I would…
• If you could program a robot, what tasks would you program it to do, and why?
• Imagine you are the owner of a toy shop. Your task is to hire some toy makers. Write a job description for a toymaker. Think about the skills and traits required to become a toymaker. 
• You are the owner of a zoo. Suddenly you hear people screaming as the lions are accidentally released. What do you do next?
• Your future self comes from the future to warn you about something. Write a conversation that you would have with your future self. 
• If you had a choice to become a superhero or a supervillain, which one would you be and why?
• Can you think of at least three things that no one knows about you? Why have you kept these things a secret?
• During a science experiment, you mix up the wrong chemicals. The liquid turns blue and jumps out of the glass container. It then slides into your backpack. What do you do next?
• Write down at least five things that you are grateful for in your life right now.
• You notice some strange footprints in your backyard leading to your shed. You follow these footprints and discover…
• When was the last time someone upset you or hurt your feelings? How did they hurt your feelings? Do you remember what was said?
• You walk inside a magic shop. You see all sorts of weird and fun things. Describe the inside of the shop in as much detail as possible. 
• Write at least three different opening lines for the following story idea: A young werewolf wants to be a human again.
• Make a list of three different story ideas about dragons.
• Write from the perspective of a kite flying high in the sky. Think about what you feel, see and hear.
• Write about your favourite subject at school. Why do you like this subject?
• Write a haiku poem about the full moon.
• Imagine you are the manager of a TV channel. Make a list of at least three new TV show ideas you can air on Saturday evening.
• You find a baby alien in your basement. What do you do next?
• Think of at least three newspaper headlines for the following article idea: The new mayor of your town/city is planning on creating more homes.
• Imagine that your pet dog has gone missing. Create a missing poster to find your dog. Remember to describe any important details relating to the dog in your power.
• Write an advertisement for the brand new mixer 3000. It mixes all the best music tracks with sounds to create the ultimate track.
• Write down three sentences. One of something interesting that happened to you today. Another of something positive that happened. And finally another sentence of something negative. 
• Write down four different character descriptions. Each character must have a different background story or history when growing up.
• Imagine you had a terrible experience at a restaurant. Write a complaint letter to the restaurant manager, outlining the problems you had. 
• Imagine your family is planning to go on a cruise. As you drive to the boat, a person walks up to your car window, holds up a flyer, and demands that they do what they were told. What is your family’s reply?
• As you’re making your way home, you pass by a group of people. It turns out the person who was walking next to them is a ghost. What do you do next?
• Your best friend has had a terrible year. You need to plan the best birthday party ever for them. Make a list of items that you will need for the party. 
• Using the 5 W’s and 1 H technique, outline the following newspaper article idea: A new breed of wolves was discovered nearby. The 5 W’s include: What, Where, When, Who and why. The one H is How.
• Write a positive self-talk poem, using the following starter: I am…
• Take a recent picture that you have drawn at home or during art class. Using this picture, can you think of at least three ideas for stories from it?
• How can you prevent bullying in your school? Make a list of at least five different ways to prevent bullying.
• Write a list of at least 10 interview questions that you can ask your favourite teacher at school. If you want, you can actually ask these questions and write down the responses your teacher gives.
• Describe a day in the life of being a mouse that lives in your school.
• What qualities to look for in a friend? Make a list of at least 3 qualities. Also, think about what qualities you try to avoid. 
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: When I wake up in the morning, I feel…
• Do you ever wish you could do more to help people? Make a list of at least five ways you can help a friend who is going through a tough time.
• When was the last time you felt angry? How did you deal with this anger? Do you think it is okay to be angry all the time?
• Write down at least three predictions for the future. These predictions can be personal or about the world. You can use the following starter: In 10 years time…
• Do you enjoy writing? If yes, then what kind of things do you enjoy writing about. Explain your answer.
• Think about the last book you read. Which scene in the book stood out to you the most? Why did it stand out for you?
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: The biggest question on my mind right now is…

What did you think of this list of quick and easy writing prompts for Middle School students? Did you find this list useful or difficult to use? Let us know in the comments below!

Printable Writing Pack for Middle Schoolers

Thank you for reading this post! You can download the free PDF writing prompts for Middle School students pack here .

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

Related Posts

Comments loading...

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Free printable to elevate your AI game 🤖

12 Fun First-Day-of-School Worksheets (Free Printables)

Fun activities for the first days and weeks of school.

Looking for an awesome activity to do on your first day of school? We’ve got you covered! Check out these 12 fun and easy free printable first-day-of-school worksheets. From Classmate Bingo to a First Day of School Flip-Book, there’s something for everyone in this free bundle. Just submit your email here to save and print your collection now.

Here’s what’s included in the free printable first-day-of-school worksheets bundle:

Classmate Bingo

Invite students to mix and mingle as they learn fun facts about one another.

All About Me Worksheet

Have students share their favorite things as well as their goals for this school year.

Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt

Have students search around your classroom to find supplies and learning areas.

First-Day-of-School Writing Prompts & Back-to-School Writing Paper

Choose from a fun list of writing prompts to get those creative juices flowing.

First-Day-of-School Flip-Book

Make a fun flip-book that shares students’ hopes and goals for the year.

First-Day-of-School Poem Template

Invite students to compose a poem about the first day of school with our free template.

“What We Do When …” Activity for Writing About Expected Behaviors

Have students write about and draw what it looks like when they are doing small-group work or lining up for class.

“We’re Different, We’re the Same” Classmate Venn Diagram Activity

Invite students to compare their similarities and differences.

“I Wish My Teacher Knew …” Printable

Invite students to share the things they want you to know about their lives.

3, 2, 1 Back-to-School Writing Activity

Encourage students to share their “3, 2, 1” countdowns with the class.

Interview a Classmate Printable

Help students sharpen their speaking and listening skills with this free printable.

“What Our Classroom Looks Like During …” Activity

Use this printable to talk about expected behaviors during independent work, partner work, and more.

Ready to save and print your free printable first-day-of-school worksheets? Just click the orange button to fill out the form at the top of this page.

Yes, I Want My Printable Bundle!

For more free printables like these, sign up for our newsletters .

Plus, check out these perfect read-alouds for the first day of school ..

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle & High School – 2024

April 15, 2024

Some high school students dream of writing for a living, perhaps pursuing an English major in college, or even attending a creative writing MFA program later on. For other students, creative writing can be useful for school assignments, in English and other subjects, and also for preparing their Common App essays . In a less goal-oriented sense, daily freewriting in a journal can be a healthy life practice for many high schoolers. Not sure where to start? Continue reading for 100 creative writing prompts for middle school and high school students. These middle/high school writing prompts offer inspiration for getting started with writing in a number of genres and styles.

Click here to view the 35 Best Colleges for Creative Writing .

What are Creative Writing Prompts?

Similar to how an academic essay prompt provides a jumping-off point for forming and organizing an argument, creative writing prompts are points of initiation for writing a story, poem, or creative essay. Prompts can be useful for writers of all ages, helping many to get past writer’s block and just start (often one of the most difficult parts of a writing process).

Writing prompts come in a variety of forms. Sometimes they are phrases used to begin sentences. Other times they are questions, more like academic essay prompts Writing prompts can also involve objects such as photographs, or activities such as walking. Below, you will find high school writing prompts that use memories, objects, senses (smell/taste/touch), abstract ideas , and even songs as jumping-off points for creative writing. These prompts can be used to write in a variety of forms, from short stories to creative essays, to poems.

How to use Creative Writing Prompts

Before we get started with the list, are a few tips when using creative writing prompts:

Experiment with different formats : Prose is great, but there’s no need to limit yourself to full sentences, at least at first. A piece of creative writing can begin with a poem, or a dialogue, or even a list. You can always bring it back to prose later if needed.

Interpret the prompt broadly : The point of a creative writing prompt is not to answer it “correctly” or “precisely.” You might begin with the prompt, but then your ideas could take you in a completely different direction. The words in the prompt also don’t need to open your poem or essay, but could appear somewhere in the middle.

Switch up/pile up the prompts : Try using two or three prompts and combine them, or weave between them. Perhaps choose a main prompt, and a different “sub-prompt.” For example, your main prompt might be “write about being in transit from one place to another,” and within that prompt, you might use the prompt to “describe a physical sensation,” and/or one the dialogue prompts.  This could be a fun way to find complexity as you write.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School Students (Continued)

Write first, edit later : While you’re first getting started with a prompt, leave the typos and bad grammar. Obsessing over details can take away from your flow of thoughts. You will inevitably make many fixes when you go back through to edit.

Write consistently : It often becomes easier to write when it’s a practice , rather than a once-in-a-while kind of activity. For some, it’s useful to write daily. Others find time to write every few days, or every weekend. Sometimes, a word-count goal can help (100 words a day, 2,000 words a month, etc.). If you set a goal, make sure it’s realistic. Start small and build from there, rather than starting with an unachievable goal and quickly giving up.

100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School Teens

Here are some prompts for getting started with your creative writing. These are organized by method, rather than genre, so they can inspire writing in a variety of forms. Pick and choose the ones that work best for you, and enjoy!

Prompts using memories

• Begin each sentence or group of sentences with the phrase, “I remember…”
• Describe a family ritual.
• Choose an event in your life, and write about it from the perspective of someone else who was there.
• Pick a pathway you take on a regular basis (to school, or to a friend’s house). Describe five landmarks that you remember from this pathway.
• Write about your house or apartment using a memory from each room.
• Write an imaginary history of the previous people who lived in your house or apartment.
• Write about an ancestor based on stories you’ve heard from relatives.
• What’s your earliest memory?
• Who was your first friend?
• Write a letter to someone you haven’t seen since childhood.
• Write about yourself now from the perspective of yourself twenty, or eighty, years from now.
• Write about the best month of the year.
• Write about the worst day of the year.
• Rant about something that has always annoyed you.
• Write about the hottest or coldest day you can remember.
• Visualize a fleeting moment in your life and as though it’s a photograph, and time yourself 5 minutes to write every detail you can remember about the scene.
• Draw out a timeline of your life so far. Then choose three years to write about, as though you were writing for a history book.
• Write about a historical event in the first person, as though you remember it.
• Write about a memory of being in transit from one place to another.

Objects and photographs as creative writing prompts

• Describe the first object you see in the room. What importance does it have in your life? What memories do you have with this object? What might it symbolize?
• Pick up an object, and spend some time holding it/examining it. Write about how it looks, feels, and smells. Write about the material that it’s made from.
• Choose a favorite family photograph. What could someone know just by looking at the photograph? What’s secretly happening in the photograph?
• Choose a photograph and tell the story of this photograph from the perspective of someone or something in it.
• Write about a color by describing three objects that are that color.
• Tell the story of a piece of trash.
• Tell the story of a pair of shoes.
• Tell the story of your oldest piece of clothing.

Senses and observations as creative writing prompts

• Describe a sound you hear in the room or outside. Choose the first sound you notice. What are its qualities? It’s rhythms? What other sounds does it remind you of?
• Describe a physical sensation you feel right now, in as much detail as possible.
• Listen to a conversation and write down a phrase that you hear someone say. Start a free-write with this phrase.
• Write about a food by describing its qualities, but don’t say what it is.
• Describe a flavor (salty, sweet, bitter, etc.) to someone who has never tasted it before.
• Narrate your day through tastes you tasted.
• Narrate your day through sounds you heard.
• Narrate your day through physical sensations you felt.
• Describe in detail the physical process of doing an action you consider simple or mundane, like walking or lying down or chopping vegetables.
• Write about the sensation of doing an action you consider physically demanding or tiring, like running or lifting heavy boxes.
• Describe something that gives you goosebumps.
• Write a story that involves drinking a cold glass of water on a hot day.
• Write a story that involves entering a warm house from a cold snowy day.
• Describe someone’s facial features in as much detail as possible.

Songs, books, and other art

• Choose a song quote, write it down, and free-write from there.
• Choose a song, and write a story in which that song is playing in the car.
• Choose a song, and write to the rhythm of that song.
• Choose a character from a book, and describe an event in your life from the perspective of that character.
• Go to a library and write down 10 book titles that catch your eye. Free-write for 5 minutes beginning with each one.
• Go to a library and open to random book pages, and write down 5 sentences that catch your attention. Use those sentences as prompts and free-write for 5-minutes with each.
• Choose a piece of abstract artwork. Jot down 10 words that come to mind from the painting or drawing, and free-write for 2 minutes based on each word.
• Find a picture of a dramatic Renaissance painting online. Tell a story about what’s going on in the painting that has nothing to do with what the artist intended.
• Write about your day in five acts, like a Shakespearean play. If your day were a play, what would be the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution?
• Narrate a complicated book or film plot using only short sentences.
• Read a short poem. Then write a poem that could be a “sister” or “cousin” of that poem.

Abstract ideas as creative writing prompts

• Write about an experience that demonstrates an abstract idea, such as “love” or “home” or “freedom” or “loss” without ever using the word itself.
• Write a list of ways to say “hello” without actually saying “hello.”
• Write a list of ways to say “I love you” without actually saying “I love you.”
• Do you believe in ghosts? Describe a ghost.
• Invent a mode of time travel.
• Glass half-full/half-empty: Write about an event or situation with a positive outlook. Then write about it with a miserable outlook.
• Free-write beginning with “my religion is…” (what comes next can have as much or as little to do with organized religion as you’d like).
• Free-write beginning with “my gender is…” (what comes next can have as much or as little to do with common ideas of gender as you’d like).
• Write about a person or character that is “good” and one that is “evil.” Then write about the “evil” in the good character and the “good” in the evil character.
• Write like you’re telling a secret.
• Describe a moment of beauty you witnessed. What makes something beautiful?

Prompts for playing with narrative and character

• Begin writing with the phrase, “It all started when…”
• Tell a story from the middle of the most dramatic part.
• Write a story that begins with the ending.
• Begin a story but give it 5 possible endings.
• Write a list of ways to dramatically quit a terrible job.
• Write about a character breaking a social rule or ritual (i.e., walking backwards, sitting on the floor of a restaurant, wearing a ballgown to the grocery store). What are the ramifications?
• You are sent to the principal’s office. Justify your bad behavior.
• Re-write a well-known fairytale but set it in your school.
• Write your own version of the TV show trope where someone gets stuck in an elevator with a stranger, or a secret love interest, or a nemesis.
• Imagine a day where you said everything you were thinking, and write about it.
• Write about a scenario in which you have too much of a good thing.
• Write about a scenario in which money can buy happiness.
• Invent a bank or museum heist.
• Invent a superhero, including an origin story.
• Write using the form of the scientific method (question, hypothesis, test, analyze data conclusion).
• Write using the form of a recipe.

Middle School & High School Creative writing prompts for playing with fact vs. fiction

• Write something you know for sure is true, and then, “but maybe it isn’t.” Then explain why that thing may not be true.
• Write a statement and contradict that statement. Then do it again.
• Draft an email with an outlandish excuse as to why you didn’t do your homework or why you need an extension.
• Write about your morning routine, and make it sound extravagant/luxurious (even if it isn’t).
• You’ve just won an award for doing a very mundane and simple task. Write your acceptance speech.
• Write about a non-athletic event as though it were a sports game.
• Write about the most complicated way to complete a simple task.
• Write a brief history of your life, and exaggerate everything.
• Write about your day, but lie about some things.
• Tell the story of your birth.
• Choose a historical event and write an alternative outcome.
• Write about a day in the life of a famous person in history.
• Read an instructional manual, and change three instructions to include some kind of magical or otherwise impossible element.

Prompts for starting with dialogue

• Write a texting conversation between two friends who haven’t spoken in years.
• Write a texting conversation between two friends who speak every day and know each other better than anyone.
• Watch two people on the street having a conversation, and imagine the conversation they’re having. Write it down.
• Write an overheard conversation behind a closed door that you shouldn’t be listening to.
• Write a conversation between two characters arguing about contradicting memories of what happened.
• You have a difficult decision to make. Write a conversation about it with yourself.
• Write a conversation with a total lack of communication.
• Write a job interview gone badly.

Final Thoughts – Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School 

Hopefully you have found several of these creative writing prompts helpful. Remember that when writing creatively, especially on your own, you can mix, match, and change prompts. For more on writing for high school students, check out the following articles:

• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• 160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics
• 150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
• Good Transition Words for Essays
• High School Success

Sarah Mininsohn

With a BA from Wesleyan University and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Sarah is a writer, educator, and artist. She served as a graduate instructor at the University of Illinois, a tutor at St Peter’s School in Philadelphia, and an academic writing tutor and thesis mentor at Wesleyan’s Writing Workshop.

• 2-Year Colleges
• ADHD/LD/Autism/Executive Functioning
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Data Visualizations
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• General Knowledge
• Graduate School Admissions
• High Schools
• Homeschool Resources
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Outdoor Adventure
• Private High School Spotlight
• Research Programs
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Teacher Tools
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

• International
• Education Jobs
• Schools directory
• Resources Education Jobs Schools directory News Search

You're Finally Here! Back to School First Day of School Writing Activities

Subject: Whole school

Age range: 5-7

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

27 August 2024

• Share through email
• Share through twitter
• Share through linkedin
• Share through facebook
• Share through pinterest

You’re Finally Here! Back to School First Day of School Writing Activities

includes writing activities / Writing Templates :

• What Took You So Long?
• Where were you ? Well, I Took So Long Because…
• How Do You Feel About Being Back In school?
• How Did You Feel When You Wake up This Morning Knowing It Was The First Day Of School ?
• Is There Anything You`re Nervous About?
• What Do You Think The Character in You’re Finally Here! Feels When The Finally Arrive?
• My Feeling In My irst Day Of School ?
• You’re Finally Here! What is Your Goal For This Year?
• You’re Finally Here! What are You Most Excited About?

Kick off the 2024 school year with our exciting “You’re Finally Here! Back to School First Day of School Writing Activities.” Perfect for engaging students on their first day, these creative writing prompts and activities are designed to inspire young minds and set a positive tone for the rest of the year. Ideal for teachers looking to create a welcoming and stimulating classroom environment, these resources encourage self-expression, creativity, and a love for writing. Make the first day memorable with fun, interactive writing tasks that help students share their thoughts, dreams, and goals for the new school year. Get ready to boost classroom engagement and foster a strong sense of community from day one!

Tes paid licence How can I reuse this?

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

This resource hasn't been reviewed yet

To ensure quality for our reviews, only customers who have purchased this resource can review it

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource:

Back to School Writing Prompts for the Secondary Classroom

With the new school year on the horizon, here are some helpful back to school writing prompts to use with your new students!

Assigning a personal narrative at the beginning of the school year doesn’t have to mean assigning a full, five-paragraph essay. These personal narratives can be anywhere between a sentence long to several paragraphs. Here are some of my go-to back-to-school writing prompts for secondary students.

Back to school writing prompts about summer break.

• What did you do over summer break?
• What was your favorite thing about summer break?
• What was your least favorite part of summer break?
• What song best represents your summer break and why?
• What movie best represents your summer break and why?
• What life lessons did you learn over summer break?
• What accomplishments did you achieve over summer break?
• What hardships did you experience over summer break?

Back to school writing prompts about last school year.

• What was your favorite thing about school last year?
• What was your least favorite part about school last year?
• What class was your favorite and why?
• Which class did you struggle with the most and why?
• What life lessons did you learn last school year?
• What accomplishments did you achieve last school year?
• What hardships did you experience last school year?
• What obstacles did you face last school year and how did you overcome them?

Back to school writing prompts about this school year.

• What are your goals for this school year?
• What is the most frightening thing about a new school year?
• What is the most exciting thing about a new school year?
• What are you most excited about this year?
• What are you dreading about this school year?
• What current obstacles or hardships are you facing this school year?
• As your teacher, how can I best help you succeed in my classroom?
• What do you want me to know about you?

Back to school writing prompts about life in general.

• What is your most cherished childhood memory? Describe the event/memory in detail.
• What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced? How did you overcome this obstacle?
• What is your life dream and how do you plan to achieve it?
• Describe the most frightening moment of your life.
• What are you most proud of and why?
• What is a typical day in your life like? Explain in detail.

Back to School Resources for the Secondary Classroom:

• Digital Back to School Stations
• Back to School Activities
• Growth Mindset Activities

Subscribe to my email list.

Subscribe to receive freebies, teaching ideas, and my latest content by email.

I won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Built with ConvertKit

One Comment

Thank you so much for this list of writing prompts! It will help me tremendously!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Leave this field empty

SUBSCRIBE NOW

101 Writing Prompts to Use in the Classroom

Jen Schneider Blog , Writing 1

As teachers, we know the importance of fostering a love of writing in our students. One way to do this is by using writing prompts in your classroom. Here are five ways you can use writing prompts to engage and inspire your middle school students:

Daily Writing Prompts

First, start each day with a quick writing prompt to get your students’ creative juices flowing. These exercises can be as short as 10 minutes and can cover a range of genres and themes. I loved using writing prompts as bell ringers in my ELA classroom.

Here are 25 daily writing prompts to get you started!

25 Daily Writing Prompts

• Write a short story about a character who discovers a secret room in their house.
• Describe your dream vacation in detail.
• Write a letter to your future self 10 years from now.
• Imagine you are a detective trying to solve a mystery. Write a scene where you gather clues and interview suspects.
• Write a poem about your favorite memory.
• Write a persuasive essay on why your school should implement a recycling program.
• Write a descriptive paragraph about your favorite place.
• Write a script for a comedy sketch.
• Imagine you are a superhero. Write a scene where you save the day.
• Write a letter to your favorite author, thanking them for their work.
• Write a story about a character who gets lost in a magical forest.
• Describe a day in the life of your pet.
• Write a letter to your best friend, sharing your hopes and dreams for the future.
• Write a short story about a character who learns a valuable lesson.
• Imagine you are a scientist conducting an experiment. Write a report on your findings.
• Write a poem about nature.
• Write a letter to your local government advocating for a cause you care about.
• Write a story about a character who has to overcome a challenge.
• Describe your dream job.
• Write a persuasive essay on why your school should start a garden.
• Write a descriptive paragraph about your favorite season.
• Write a script for a drama sketch.
• Imagine you are a time traveler. Write a scene where you visit a historical event.
• Write a letter to a celebrity, telling them how much you admire their work.
• Write a story about a character who finds a hidden treasure.

Even More Daily/Weekly Writing Prompts

Check out 52 additional creative writing prompts . (So I guess this post has 153!) Check it out in my store. You’ll even get an editable Canva template to add your own prompts.

Each creative writing prompts workbook comes with:

• 52 pages of prompts and lined writing space
• 12 blank lined pages
• Canva editable template link to add your own writing prompts
• Google Drive PDF link

I use these prompts with middle school students, but they are appropriate for advanced upper elementary students through high school. Adults will even enjoy these prompts!

Structured Writing Prompts

Another way to use writing prompts is as a starting point for more structured writing assignments, such as essays or research papers. Of course, this can help students get started and also encourage them to think critically about different perspectives and ideas. Structured writing prompts are prompts that provide specific guidelines or structure for the writing task.

10 Structured Writing Prompts

• Write a persuasive essay on the topic of your choice. Make sure to address the argument and counterargument using textual evidence.
• Write a letter to the editor about a current event or issue you feel strongly about. Use research and textual evidence to support your points.
• Write a descriptive paragraph about a place you have visited.
• Write a short story that includes the following elements: a character who is afraid of heights, a mysterious object, and a twist ending.
• Write a personal narrative about a time you faced a challenge and how you overcame it.
• Write a research paper on a topic of your choice, using at least five sources.
• Write a poem that follows a specific form, such as a sonnet or haiku.
• Write a character analysis of a character from a book or movie. In your analysis, discuss the character’s motivations, conflicts, and development throughout the story.
• Write a review of a product or service you have used. In your review, discuss the pros and cons of the product or service, and provide your overall rating.
• Write a speech on a topic of your choice. In your speech, include an introduction, three main points, and a conclusion. Use persuasive language and evidence to support your points.

Group Brainstorming

Encourage students to work in small groups to come up with their own writing prompts. This can be a great way to foster collaboration and creativity.

Writing Roulette

One writing prompt game I like to play with my students is writing roulette. I give each student five different colored sticky notes (or use this FREE Jamboard template ).

Each sticky note has a different topic:

• Yellow: character
• Blue: quotation
• Pink: setting
• Green: conflict
• Orange: theme

Have your students each generate one of the literary elements on each colored sticky note. Make sure they write only one idea per note. Mix up the sticky notes, then give the students five sticky notes (one on each topic) to generate their own story.

15 Writing Prompt Dares

My students love creating their own writing prompt dares. These are great for group brainstorming prompts, but if you want to give your students some writing prompts to get started, here are some dares for them to enjoy!

• Write a story using only dialogue.
• Write a story using only one letter of the alphabet.
• Write a story backwards.
• Write a story with every word starting with the same letter.
• Write a story with a character who can only say one word.
• Write a story using only emojis.
• Write a story that can be read both forwards and backwards.
• Write a story using only made-up words.
• Write a story with a character who can only communicate through dance.
• Write a story with a character who can only communicate through drawings.
• Write a story with a character who can only communicate through song lyrics.
• Write a story that’s a play on words.
• Write a story with a character who can only communicate through sign language.
• Write a story that’s a parody of a well-known story or movie.
• Write a story using only words that contain the letter “z”.

Journaling with Writing Prompts

Encourage your students to keep a journal and use writing prompts to inspire their daily entries. This can be a great way for students to reflect on their experiences and practice their writing skills.

Use these writing prompts to let your students reflect. Tell them not to worry about conventions (grammar or spelling). Journal writing is a way to share emotions. I always tell my students that I only have to share their writing if I am concerned about their safety or the safety of someone else.

• Describe your best friend and explain why they are special to you.
• Write about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
• Imagine you could travel anywhere in the world. Where would you go and why?
• Write about a person who has inspired you and explain why.
• Describe a hobby or activity that you enjoy and explain why you like it.
• Write about a memorable event from your childhood.
• Describe a place that you have visited that made a lasting impression on you.
• Write about a goal that you have for yourself and explain how you plan to achieve it.
• Describe a person who has had a significant influence on your life and explain why.
• Write about a time when you faced a challenge and how you overcame it.

Get 31 more daily writing prompts for January . This is the perfect way to start off the new year, but you can use the prompts at anytime!

Writing as Assessment

Use writing prompts to assess student learning and progress. By assigning prompts that align with specific learning objectives or standards, you can get a sense of how well your students are understanding and applying the material.

Incorporating writing prompts into your middle school classroom can be a fun and effective way to engage your students and help them develop their writing skills. See the difference they can make in your students’ writing.

Here are 10 writing prompts for assessment. Feel free to use these in your classroom.

• Write a persuasive essay about the importance of recycling and reducing waste.
• Write a narrative about a time when you faced a challenge and had to overcome it.
• Write a descriptive essay about your favorite place.
• Write a compare and contrast essay about two different historical figures or events.
• Write an argumentative essay about whether students should be required to wear uniforms to school.
• Write a letter to your future self, describing your hopes and dreams for the future.
• Write a research paper about a current event or controversial topic.
• Write a poem about a natural disaster or environmental issue.
• Write a review of a book, movie, or television show.
• Write a script for a short play or skit.

These  101 writing prompts  are perfect to use in your classroom. Share some of your favorite prompts in the comments!

Check out one of my favorite feedback tools for student writing !

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tips for Genius Hour  - Creative Tech Teacher @

[…] creative writing (regardless of what grade level or school they are at). I also post contests and writing prompts in that […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Overview