1-2-3 Come Do Some Creative Writing With Me

A delightful discovery, is that an intriguing photograph, tweaks a student’s interest, and gets their imagination, and creative juices flowing. 

You know the old saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words", so I thought looking at one, could certainly provoke at least a few, getting students excited to WANT to get down to the business of writing. 

With that in mind, I spent quite a few hours designing my newest packet: Fall, Picture-Driven Writing Prompts.

There are 135 fall-themed pictures to choose from, with 6 on a page to conserve ink.

Select your favorites that you think will be thought-provoking for your students, then print on card stock & laminate, so you can use every year.

Children select one, and depending on ability level, write a few sentences, a paragraph or a story on the filmstrip template.

Beforehand, use one to introduce the lesson, and as a whole group, make an example together to help explain what’s expected.

Completed projects make an awesome bulletin board.

Display students’ work with the photograph, and put the “Fall Picture Driven Writing Prompts" camera poster, in the center of your display.

I’ve also included a bookmark-size, graphic organizer, where students do a bit of pre-writing, jotting down adjectives & verbs that describe their picture.

These can also be part of your bulletin board.

Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to have a look see at this 28-page packet: Fall, Picture-Driven Writing Prompts. 

Today's featured FREEBIE is a scarecrow-themed writing prompt craftivity.

Completed projects turn out quite adorable. 

There's nothing quite like adding a bit of craftiness to a lesson, to get kiddos excited about writing.

Well that's it for today.  I truly hope these photographs are just the thing to help your students get as excited about writing, as my students have. 

I’m currently working on matching, picture-driven writing prompts, for the other 3 seasons.

"We must all make do with the rags of love we find flapping on the scarecrow of humanity." -Angela Carter, From Nights at the Circus

1-2-3 Come Do Some "Sense-sational" Writing Activities With Me

I'm so excited about my latest creative writing packet (Seasons & Senses) that I just finished. Part of the "yippie yahoo" is that it's so versatile!

PK kiddos on up through middle school will enjoy “Savoring the Seasons” by using their 5 Senses. 

Younger kiddos can simply jot down single words and draw a picture.

Older students, can practice using adjectives to really make their writing stand out & come "alive".

There's a "flip-flap" booklet for the 4 seasons, plus one for the 5 senses.

At the start of school, choose the autumn one, then later, repeat this activity throughout the various seasons, to show improvement!

Great for portfolios, and you’ve empowered your students because they know what to do & can get right down to business; and you can share these with parents at conferences!

These craftivities are quick, easy & fun; plus, you're incorporating literacy AND science, getting more bang for your "time buck." (Another yippie yahoo!) AND ...

Completed projects make an awesome, easy-peasy bulletin board or hallway writing display entitled: "Sense-sational" Writing! 

Use the "Savor the Seasons" poster (pictured at the top) for the center of your board. (May I yell yippie for a 3rd time?)

I've included completed samples, so that you can quickly and easily make an example of your own to share with your kiddos, to help explain things.

Besides the flip-flap booklets, I’ve also included full-page writing prompt worksheets perfect for older students.

So if you teach older grades and stumbled here, you too can use this concept because...

To reinforce the use of adjectives, I had my college comp students choose a season and sense.

They did a great job and seemed to really enjoy it!

Younger students can also practice adjectives by filling in the 4-seasons graphic organizers. This is a great activity to do before they make their flip-flap booklet.

Another option, is to have sudents get into groups of 3-5 and complete the worksheets together. 

You could also collect and collate them to make a class-made 4-seasons booklet.

Sooo, can I get a "Woo hoo" for an activity that’s appropriate for multiple levels & ages?!

The packet also includes pocket chart cards for the 4 seasons, as well as 5 senses. I also use these as "header cards" on my whiteboard. 

To introduce the activity, discuss the 5 senses. Choose a season, and have students brainstorm a list of things that they "see, hear, feel, taste" etc. at this time of year; jot them down in the appropriate column. 

Children can refer to the board while they're writing.  You'll find the anchor chart posters helpful too. 

There's a full-color set to hang up, as well as black & white, so students can reinforce the information, by making their own. 

This 44-pager is just $3.50.  Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to check it out: Seasons & Senses

Today's FREEBIE comes from the packet, and is the wise owl adjective anchor chart poster. Use it as a reminder for students to use plenty of descriptive words in their writing.  

Well that's it for today.  My head has that "over-stuffed, too much computer" feeling; so it's time to get some fresh air. 

It's beautiful out; the sun is shining, but there's a definite chill in the air. A reminder that winter is not far off, so enjoy these awesome autumn days while you can.  Wishing you an energizing one!

"Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt." - William Allingham

4 pages.

Students will enjoy this Spanish-themed "Taco 'bout" play-on-words writing prompt.  I've included an "Ola!" poster to introduce the lesson with a friendly "Hello" in Spanish, then use it as the center for your bulletin board display. 

9 pages.

This adorable writing-prompt, whale "craftivity" serves double duty, as you can use it for back to school or the end of the year.

1-2-3 Come Do Some Whale-Themed Craftivities With Me

Ever since I visited Sea World, I've become a big fan of whales.  I know that an ocean-theme is really popular with a lot of teachers, and since children of all ages love whales, I decided to design a whale-themed writing prompt craftivity packet. 

It took a lot longer than I thought it would, but I truly believe that making an example of everything that I design, plus including samples, great directions and lots of photographs, really helps teachers and parents.  What say you?

Any hoo, this packet serves double duty, as I included writing prompts for back to school, as well as the end of the year.  The poor gals across the street from me, who teach in a charter school, go 'til June 23rd!   Maybe some of you late-vacation bloomers, can use a few of these activities now. 

This packet is very versatile and uses the idioms “I had a whale of a great . . .” and “Spouting off about . . “ where students complete the writing prompt, with something appropriate for back-to-school or the end of the year.  Such as ”I had a whale of a wonderful summer because . . .” or “I had a whale of an awesome year in ________ grade!”

The simple prompts make these activities suitable for little ones, as well as older kiddos, whose writing will be longer and more descriptive. Choose a whale topper for your students or give them a choice.  These activities make terrific independent literacy centers and plug in nicely with Daily 5 or your writing block. 

Students really enjoy the “craftivity” portion of their writing, which makes them really want to get started and keeps them focused.  Completed projects make beautiful bulletin board displays too.

The packet includes:

9 bookmarks: 5 are “writing prompt bookmarks” where this year’s students write a note to your in-coming students, or pick a partner and make one for their current classmate, or “spout off”.  

There are also 4 “from the teacher” bookmarks, appropriate to welcome your new students, or say farewell to this year’s bunch.

Create a “teachable moment” about homonyms/homophones with the “Whale of a ‘Tale’” whale’s tail topper.  Students can write a tale about anything they find interesting, or you could narrow things down and have them write a tale about school or summer.  

The “Tiny ‘Tales’ of School” as well the “Tiny ‘Tales’ of Summer” are mini-flip booklets. The “tiny tale” could be the most exciting, embarrassing, fun, scary, or funny thing that happened to them during the school year, or over summer vacation.

Another booklet option, is “Wally”.  He’s the “standing tall” blue whale. Behind his “face” are oval pages.  This too could be done individually, in a small group, or as a whole group activity.

Run the silhouette whale off on a variety of colors.  Students trim and complete whatever writing prompt you choose right on the whale.  For that finishing touch, add a school picture.

There are also 4 “Spouting Off” activities: a writing prompt "color-me" worksheet, a writing prompt bookmark, a writing prompt craftivity. and a definition-anchor chart poster. 

For one of the activities, I made a "speech bubble" that represents the water being squirted from the whale's blow hole."

As with the other prompts, I've included a sample for you to share.

4 different whale toppers, with 7 different writing prompt worksheets to go under them, make especially cute bulletin boards. 

Caption Ideas: “We’re Going to Have a Whale of a Great Time!”  “Having a Whale of a Wonderful Time in PK.”  “Making a Splash in Kindergarten!”  “So Glad You Swim in our School.”   "____________’s 'Fintastic' 1st Graders."  “Fintastic” Writing or "Looking Forward to a Whale of a Super Summer/School Year".

I’ve included black & white, as well as full-color worksheets, so that you can easily make an example to share.  Don’t have time? I’ve included samples too.

There are 5 cover options for a full-page class-made booklet, with 6 inside page options for students to choose from.

A simple, “color-me” writing prompt worksheet, is easy-peasy for little ones.

Finally, I’ve included several pages of my top picks for kid-friendly websites, which have interesting information, games and facts about whales, plus links to video and audio clips of real ones.  These sites offer a quick, easy & fun way to toss in some science & geography that there never seems to be enough time for.

I play the whale sound “music” while my students are working.  It’s soothing and they are amazed by the sound that whales make while communicating with each other.

Just like a whale, this whale-themed writing prompt packet is “whopping”, with 80-pages, and on sale today (June 9th through Friday the 12th) for just $3.19.  Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT store to check it out. Sales help support my clip art & font habits, as well as pay bills to run my TeachWithMe FREEBIE site.  (It's averaging a little over $200 a month to do so, thus the need for a bit of income).

And now for the FREEBIE, as I always like to provide at least one with each packet.  I chose “Walter” because he was my first attempt at whale drawing, and my personal favorite. Click on the link to take Wally home.

 He comes complete with a large and small wave pattern (write your prompt right on the large one) or glue the smaller wave to one of 4 traceable-writing prompt worksheets.  

Well that’s it.   Thanks for visiting today.  Apologies for being long-winded.  Whether you’re winding down the year and counting down the days, or making your own vacation-splash in the ocean, I’m wishing you a whale of a wonderful summer!

"We owe it to our children to be better stewards of the environment.  The alternative?  A world without whales.  It's too terrible to imagine!" -Pierce Brosan

3 pages.

You can use this adorable gingerbread house as a writing prompt craftivity, or send home as a home-school connection for the entire family to take part in. Completed projects make a sweet December bulletin board.

 1-2-3 Come Tweet With Me

Often teachers are so busy teaching, that sometimes they can miss important things that are happening in their students' lives.

Putting up a tweet board on a door, wall or bulletin board, helps you stay informed and builds community.  A more caring classroom will also be created.  Another bonus, is that this idea is also a quick, easy, and interesting way to get students writing.

Practicing writing sentences, that have appropriate capitalization, spacing, word choice and punctuation, can be tedious at times.  Switch things up with a little creativity, and students will WANT to write. 

Composing and dashing off a tweet, is a simple way to do that.  Encourage students to write a tweet at least once a week about things that are happening in their lives.

You may want to include this as part of your Daily 5 writing activities.  Taking a moment to read the tweets also fits in nicely with Daily 5.

To make your tweet board eye-catching, I've included tweet notes for students to write on.  Run them off on a variety of different colors and keep them handy near your tweet board. 

Explain to students that there are two kinds of tweets: "sweet tweets" are positive happy highlights, things that they are proud of, or what they are excited about -- something they are doing or involved in.

"Tweet talk"  are notes about something that a student wants to share because they are feeling a bit down or blue, and would like some encouragement. 

Perhaps a grandparent or pet passed away, or they didn't make the team.  Maybe a friend is ill or they failed at something; parents are planning a move, or a divorce is pending, but no one made you aware of this. 

The Tweet Board is a quick and easy way for students to share those feelings.  Teachers need to know about the things that are affecting their students' moods, and having an impact on their ability to focus and learn.   Knowing, gives teachers an opportunity to praise and encourage, as well as sympathize and give that extra TLC a child needs when their world is in upheaval. 

With that in mind, I also included tiny tweets in the packet.  These are little notes that  you or students, can jot to someone and leave in their desk or locker. These fit in nicely if you're doing a  "Bucket Filling" program as well.

For more writing practice, that is private and personal, have students keep a Tweet Journal.  I've included 2 cover options for this.  Students choose one, add some color and glue it to a notebook.  (I always take advantage of the back to school doorbusters, when notebooks are as inexpensive as 15 cents.)

Implementing this idea is easy-peasy.  Simply choose a tweet poster to showcase your tweet board. (There are 3 options.) 

Run off copies of the sweet tweet notes, keep them in a basket or envelope by your tweet board (I've included labels for these) explain the board to your students, and then let the tweeting begin!

As part of your going-home or morning routine, you could ask students if anyone wants to share one of their tweets.  At the end of the month, clear the board and start again. 

Click on the link to grab your FREEBIE: Sweet Tweet Talk

Thanks for visiting today.  It's a rainy day with lots of thunder.  (I find the rumblings and sound of the rain splattering on my office window very soothing.)  The perfect kind of day to read, color, cut, paste and play...  Here's hoping you can make some time to relax too.

"Your attitude decides your altitude.  Soar!" -Unknown

37 pages.

Instead of doing just turkey stuff, add variety to your November lessons, with some cornucopia craftivities.

For more writing prompts, click on the link.  I've made a booklet that contains some for each month on a variety of topics!

Monthly:

It’s Better Hearing and Speech Month. Out of all of your 5 senses, which is your favorite and why?  OR… if you were in an accident and lost one of your senses, which would you give up and why?  OR…what sense could you NOT live without and why?

It is Brain Tumor Awareness Month.  Here’s the scenario: you’ve just seen the doctor, and he’s given you the horrific news that you have an inoperable brain tumor.  You only have one year to live!  What will you do and how will you change the way you live the last year of your life knowing this?  Are you glad you found out ahead of time or would you rather not have known?

It’s Carrots and Cauliflower Month. Do you like these vegetables? If you could only eat 2 vegetables for a month, what would they be and why?  How would you eat them so that things wouldn’t get boring?

It’s National Clean Air Month; here’s the scenario: What can people do to help keep the air clean?  What specifically can young people do?   Do you think these things will really help?  Do a little online research.  Where is the cleanest air found?

It’s Family Wellness Month:  What kinds of things are you doing to stay well?  Is your family/are you healthy?  What can you do to get better and be healthier?  Do you want to try and do that?  Why or why not?

It’s Freedom Shrine Month.  Some people say: Freedom isn’t free!  What do you think they mean by that?  What does freedom mean to you?

Get Caught Reading is celebrated this month.  What are you reading right now? Sell it to me so that I want to read that book too.  OR…What is the best book you ever read and why?  OR… What book have you read that you wish they would make into a moving and why and who would you cast as the main characters?

It’s Gifts From The Garden Month! Let’s say you have a truly fantasy garden and it could grow all kinds of supernatural gifts, not just food and flowers or plants.  What kinds of gifts would you garden grow, what would your garden look like and what would you do with the gifts your garden grew?

Motorcycle Safety Month is celebrated in May: You can buy any motorcycle you want! What kind, color etc. will you buy?  Where will you go for your first ride?

It’s National Foster Care Month: Your parents have decided to take in a Foster child.  How do you feel about that?  Would you like a foster brother or sister?  Why do you think this program is important? OR…

You have just adopted a grama or grampa to visit at a home each week and help take care of.  What will you do with them to help out?  Do you think it’s important to visit the elderly?

National Good Car Keeping Month is celebrated in May:  Let’s pretend you are 18 and just got a brand new car for your birthday!  What kind is your dream car?  What color?  Details-details?  Where will you go for your first spin?  Who will you call to go for a drive with you? How do you plan to take good care of your car?

It’s National Hamburger Month:  Do you like hamburgers or hot dogs better?  What’s your favorite kind of hamburger?  What does it have on it?  Well, now take all those various types of hamburgers and all the fixin’s and throw a Happy Hamburger Month of May party!  Who will you invite? What will the decorations look like?  What else will you have to eat?  What will the entertainment be?  Remember your theme is hamburgers!

Happy National Meditation Month! Do you meditate to find peace of mind? How do you de-stress in your life and relax and get into a peaceful tranquil state?  If you could plan the perfect day so that you could really kick back and chill what would it be like, what would you do, where would you go and who would you do these things with?

It’s National Mental Health Month. What things drive you crazy and what do you do to keep sane?

Happy National Military Appreciation Month. Why not write a letter to someone in the military and tell them how much you appreciate what they are doing for your country! OR…Would you ever want to serve in the military?  Why or why not?  OR…if there was another 911 and you were 18 and we went to war, would you join?  Could you kill another person?  Why or why not?

National Moving Month is also celebrated in May:  Have you ever moved?  Write about that experience.  Were you glad you moved?  Was it scary?  Do you miss the place you moved from?  Do you like this new place better?  OR... If you could move any where in the world where would you like to go and why?

It’s National Preservation Month:  Here’s the scenario:  You’re out sailing with your parents; there’s a storm and you get marooned on an Island.  Whether it’s inhabited or not is up to you, but you’re shipwrecked with supplies for one week.  Tell me how you preserve the food and supplies and survive!  OR … Why is it important to preserve our natural resources? Do you think young people can  make a difference?  OR… which endangered species is your favorite?  How can you help preserve them?

It’s National Salad Month.  Design a super salad for the salad eating contest and win a $500 prize.  You’re the winner!  What’s the name of your salad, what does it taste like; what are the ingredients, and what do you do with the money?

Happy National Smile Month! Make a list of the top 10 favorite things that make you smile and explain why.  OR… Tell me who you think has the prettiest smile in your school or TV/Movie Star etc.

It’s Personal History Month, sooooo write your mini biography starting with your birth and ending with today!

Teen CEO Month is in May.  If you could be a CEO of a company, what kind of company would that be?  What would you be making/marketing etc.  What  would the name of your company be?  Include your mission statement and philosophy etc.  OR…do some online research and find some real teen CEO’s what did they do and which one is your favorite and why?

It’s Self-Esteem Month: What kinds of things can you do to boost your self-esteem?  Do you think you have good self-esteem?  How can you make it better?

National Family Month is in May. What are the things you like the most about your family?  What are the things you think your family can improve on? 
What would you like to change about your family?

Weekly:

The 1^st –7^th is Be Kind to Animals Week.  What’s your favorite animal and why is it your favorite?  OR…If you could have any pet in the world, what kind would you have and why?  What would you name your pet?  What would they look like? What would you do with them?  How would you take care of them? Details please.

This week is also Flexible Work Arrangement Week: You can have any job you want with any hours and days of the week that you want to work.  Sooooo, what kind of job do you have and what is your “flexible work arrangement?”

This week is also Kids Win Week! Have you ever won anything?  Write about it.  OR… If you could win any contest or thing what would you like to win and why and then what would you do when you won it?

National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week is also this week.  (Busy week hey?) What kinds of things cause you anxiety?  How can you help overcome those anxious feelings?  What kinds of things make you sad?  What can you do when you are sad?  OR…What’s the most anxious or sad you have ever been and what did you do?

It’s National Family and Pet Week this week so go do something special with them and write about it.  Make sure you hug everyone too as it’s also National Hug Holiday Week!

May 2-8^th is Astronomy Week: Make it a point to lie on the grass and check out the stars.  Write about how that feels; what do they look like; what did you see?  Make sure you use lots of descriptive words. (adjectives!) OR…Go online and do some research on the planets.  Which is your favorite why?  OR...Do you think there is life on another planet?  Why or why not?  OR…You have just been abducted by aliens!  Tell me about the experience.

It’s also National Wildflower Week: What’s your favorite wildflower? You can design your own wildflower.  What does it look like, smell like, feel like?  What have you named it?

It’s also Teacher Appreciation Week: Write a note to your teacher telling her why you like her/him and are thankful for the things they have done for you.

Happy Work At Home Mom’s Week too!  Is that your mom?  Let her know you appreciate her by writing her a note too.

The 6^th-12 is National Nurses Week: Would you ever want to be a nurse?  Why or why not?

National Tourism Week starts the 7^th and runs through the 15^th.  You get to go on any tour in the world.  Where are you going?  When and who are you going with and why?

National Hospital Week is also that week.  Have you ever been in the hospital?  Write about that experience.

Reading is Fun Week is the 8^th-14^th. Do you think reading is fun?  I do!  What kinds of reading do you like to do?  Where do you like to read?  What are your favorite books, magazines etc.?  OR… What could your teacher do to make reading more fun for you?

The 8^th – 14^th is Salute to Mom’s Week. Write about why you love your mom.  What things does she do for you that you really like.

The 15^th-21^st is New and Old Friends Week. Who is your best friend?  Why  OR…

Who are your newest and oldest friends?

National Backyard Games Week is the 23^rd-30^th.  What is your favorite backyard game and why is it your favorite?

Special Days:

Happy Mother Goose Day May 1^st: What’s your favorite Nursery Rhyme?  Write it down and tell why you like it.

National Dance Day is also May 1^st.  Do you like to dance?  Why or why not?  What’s your favorite kind of dance to do?

Happy Cinco de Mayo Day May 5^th:  If you don’t know what that day is, look it up.  Would you like to live in Mexico?  Why or why not?  Would you like to go to visit Mexico?  Why or why not?

The 5^th is also a National Day of Prayer.  If you feel so inclined say a prayer and write about how that makes you feel when you can talk to God.

Remind your teacher that May 6^th is “No Homework Day!” How do you feel about homework?  Do you feel it’s really necessary? Where do you do your homework?  Do you get good grades on your homework?  Do your parents help you with your homework?  Does listening to music help you while you study or do you need quiet when you do your homework?

May 7^th is Kentucky Derby Day: Watch it on TV.  Choose a horse.  Did yours win?  Write about it.   OR…Have you ever ridden a horse?  Write about that? OR….would you like to own a horse?  Write about that?

Mother’s Day is May 8^th: Tell your mom you love her.  Write about why.

May 18^th is International Museum Day. Have you ever visited a museum?  Write about that experience.  OR… Have you seen the movie Night in the Museum?  I cast you as the main character.   What would you have done?  OR…What was your favorite part/character in the movie?

May 18^th is Visit your Relatives Day: What relatives would you like to visit and why?

This is also Turn Beauty Inside Out Day! What do you suppose that means?  Write about.

“I Need A Patch For That Day” is the 21^st.  What do you feel you need a patch for?  Why?   Design the patch.  What does it look like?  Where will you wear it?

Neighbor Day is the 22^nd.  Do you know your neighbors?  write about them.  OR…If you could have anyone in the world be your neighbors, who would you want them to be and why?

It’s Brother’s Day the 24^th.  Do you have a brother?  Write a paragraph about him.  If you don’t, would you like one?  What would he be like?  What would you name him? Would he be younger or older?

The 27^th is National Wig Out Day, so wig out!  What will you do to do that, who do you want to wig out with, and how long do you want to wig out for?

It’s the Indianapolis 500 the 29^th and you’re in the race! What are you driving, wearing, and who are you driving for?  Do you win?  Tell me the details?

Happy Memorial Day on the 30^th.  What does this day mean to you?  What are your plans?  OR …if you could do ANYTHING on this day what would you do, where would you go, who would you go with?

I hope you have a magnificent May filled with wonderful writing!

Welcome to my BLOG’s Writing Prompt’s section.

I LOVE writing, but let’s face it, most of our young students don’t . I believe that’s because they think they can’t. The more they write the better they get! It’s up to us to give them that practice and encouragement, and make them feel like AUTHORS!

I think the second reason is that they aren’t stimulated. They need to be excited to WANT to write, just like they are excited to share information with their friends verbally.  Hopefully, these ideas will help turn your students on!

If you have some fun writing ideas please care & share with us. I gear my ideas according to the themes that most teachers do during the month as well as what holidays and National “whatever’s” are going on.

I have many sites that I check when I'm working on my writing prompts to see what's being celebrated.  Here are two of my favorites: Link One and Link Two.  

As your students are getting ready to sharpen their pencils, you may want to share these incredible carved pencil pix with them! Just click here to view them, and prepare to be amazed! All I can say is WOW!

Here's my paper that I send home to show parents the proper grip for holding a pencil.

It’s National HONEY Month. Here’s the scenario choose one:

• You and some friends are visiting a bee farm. While you are learning how to collect the honey, your friend gets stung by a bee. He/she tells you that they are allergic to bee stings and they start to panic. What do you do?
• You have blended several kinds of spices to come up with a superb tasting honey. It’s a national best seller. What do you call it? How do you promote it? What will you do with the money?
• While on a fieldtrip to a bee farm one of the kids knocks over a hive. Angry bees are swarming everywhere. Tell me what happens in the chaos and who saves the day.

 It’s National COLLEGE SAVINGS Month.

• Do you want to go to college? Why or why not? What will you study to be if you do decide to go or what will you do if you don’t go?

 It’s National One-On-One Month.

• Who would you like some one-on-one time with and why and what would you do during that time?

 It’s National COUPON Month.

• You have the ability to write out 3 coupons to whomever you wish for whatever you want. What will you write them out for and who will you give them to and why?

 It’s National SELF-IMPROVEMENT Month.

• What do you feel you need to improve on? How do you plan to go about doing that?

 September 1-8^th is National ENTHUSIASM week.

• What are you really enthusiastic about? Why? Why is it important to be enthusiastic? How can you help others become more enthusiastic?

 September 13^th -17^th is Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week.

• Your teacher’s put you in charge of the class today. What kinds of educational activities have you planned? Tell me about your day as the substitute.

 September 19^th-24^th is TURN OFF your TV WEEK.

• Why do you think that is important? Why do you think it’s so hard for people to turn off the TV?
• Write a paragraph about your favorite TV program, including WHY it’s your favorite, then tell me if you could turn off the TV for an entire week. Let’s say you HAD to-the electricity went off. What would you do for entertainment?

 It’s National GOOD NEIGHBOR Day the 26^th.

• Do you know your neighbors? Tell me about them.
• What would be your favorite kind of neighbor if you could have a “dream” neighbor.
• Like the creepy movie that was just out awhile ago, a person sees what they think is a murder taking place in the house across the street. Let’s say that’s exactly what YOU see.
• Tell me what happens next. YOU are in the boonies, NO cell phone…

 The 18^th of September is National RESPECT Day.

• Tell me who you respect the most and why.
• Do you think people respect you? Why or why not?
• How do you get people to respect you?

 September 18^th is also National Big Whopper LIAR Day.

• What’s the biggest lie you ever told. Were you discovered.
• Do you think lying is bad?  Why or why not?

 It’s “Talk Like A PIRATE Day” on the 19^th.

• Would you like to be a pirate? Why or why not?

 It’s National Keep Kids Creative Week starting the 26^th.

• What is the most creative thing you’ve ever done?

 Today’s the 26^th and it’s Johnny Appleseed Day!

• If you could travel on foot anywhere in the world where would you go and what would you be doing? How would you earn money along the way?
• Apples - apples everywhere! This is the month for studying apples. Do you like apples? If you had to eat fruit everyday for an entire week, what fruit would you choose? How many ways can you think of to prepare it?

The big theme this month is obviously BACK-TO-SCHOOL.

• How do you feel about going back to school? Are you excited, a little scared or nervous? What are your favorite subjects? What do you hope to learn? Compare last year to this year. What are the biggest differences?

       Happy September! Keep on WRITING!

For more writing prompts, click on the link.  I've made a booklet that contains some for each month on a variety of topics!

Also click on the link for 80 writing prompts. This site also lists another 50.  I have my college students use this site to jump start their brains when they write in their journals.

Make sure you go over it so that you can develop your own appropriate list from it.

Do not just send your elementary students here to pick one.  Although most of the prompts are excellent, a few of these topics are not appropriate for younger students.

This person has their list copyrighted so please respect that as well.