homeschool creative writing prompts

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25 Fascinating & Silly Writing Prompts for Your Homeschool

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Getting kids to write is challenging.

They loathe the topics you recommend. History is boring. Science dull. Why can’t you give them something different to write!

And that’s exactly what I’m giving you here, 25 fascinating and silly writing prompts to encourage your kids’ imaginations to burst forth with silly and creative scenes.

In an ideal world, you and your kids will all write your responses to these writing prompts and enjoy the crazy results.

Creative Writing Prompts

1. You’re dropped by aliens on an alien planet. What’s it like? How do you survive?

2. Who is Horatio Zero Zilch?

3. What new technology needs to be invented?

4. Do you want a flying car? Why or why not?

5. What is the secret life of your teddy bear?

6. What games would you play in space?

7. A billionaire has created a huge floating island. What’s it like to live on it?

8. What would your perfect country be like?

9. Your dinner can talk. What’s it saying?

10. Your house is haunted. Who’s the ghost?

11. Imagine your clothing is alive and chatty. What would your clothing say when it sees your best friend?

12. You’ve been given a pair of 7 league shoes. Where would you go?

13. You’re the hero or heroine of your favorite fairy tale. Who are you and why?

14. How does the Easter Bunny make chocolate eggs?

15. If aliens existed, what would they look like?

16. You go on a journey with your favorite characters. Describe the trip!

17. You wake up a toy. What happens next?

18. What does the silverware think of the flatware?

19. You can fly! What’s it like?

20. You’ve shrunk to the size of an ant. What do you do?

21. If we could only have one season, which one would you choose and why?

22. Why are dogs smarter than cats, and goldfish rule them both?

23. What would the world be like if dinosaurs lived today?

24. You’re a spy. What’s your mission?

25. A monster enters the house. What happens next?

Click to check out the 25 Fascinating and Silly Writing Prompt PDF today!

Recommended Reading:

• What to Do When Your Child Hates Writing
• Top 10 Middle School Writing Tips
• IEW’s Student Writing Intensive Level C Review

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55 Creative Writing Activities and Exercises

Have you ever heard these questions or statements from your students?

• I don’t know where to begin.
• How can I make my story interesting?
• I’m just not creative.
• What should my story be about?

If so, you won’t want to miss these creative writing activities. 

What Are Creative Writing Activities?

Activities that teach creative writing serve as drills to exercise your student’s writing muscle. When used effectively, they help reluctant writers get past that intimidating blank paper and encourage the words to flow. 

When I think of creative writing exercises , writing prompts immediately come to mind. And, yes, writing from a prompt is certainly an example of a creative writing activity (a highly effective one). 

However, writing prompts are only one way to teach creative writing. Other types of activities include games, collaboration with others, sensory activities, and comic strip creation to name a few.

Unlike writing assignments, creative writing activities aren’t necessarily meant to create a perfectly polished finished project. 

Instead, they serve as more of a warmup and imagination boost.

Picture-based writing exercises are especially fun. You can download one for free below!

get this picture prompt printable for free!

How to use creative writing exercises effectively.

When teaching creative writing , the most effective exercises inspire and engage the student. 

Remember that worn-out prompt your teacher probably hauled out every year? 

“What I Did This Summer…” 

Cue the groaning. 

Instead of presenting your student with lackluster topics like that one, let’s talk about ways to engage and excite them. 

For Kids or Beginners

Early writers tend to possess misconceptions about writing. Many picture sitting down for hours straight, polishing a story from beginning to end. 

Even for experienced writers, this is next-to-impossible to do. It’s preconceived ideas like these that overwhelm and discourage students before they’ve even started. 

Instead of assigning an essay to complete, start with simple, short writing exercises for elementary students such as:

• Creating comic strips using a template
• Talking out loud about a recent dream
• Writing a poem using rhyming words you provide
• Creating an acrostic from a special word

Creative writing exercises don’t have to end in a finished piece of work. If the exercise encouraged creative thinking and helped the student put pen to paper, it’s done its job. 

For Middle School

Creative writing activities for middle school can be a little more inventive. They now have the fundamental reading and writing skills to wield their words properly. 

Here are some ideas for middle school writing exercises you can try at home:

• Creating Mad Lib-style stories by changing out nouns, verbs, and adjectives in their favorite tales
• Storyboarding a short film
• Writing a family newsletter
• Creating crossword puzzles

For High School 

Your high school student may be starting to prepare for college essays and other important creative writing assignments. 

It’s more critical than ever for her to exercise her writing skills on a regular basis. 

One great way to keep your high schooler’s mind thinking creatively is to have her make “listicles” of tips or facts about something she’s interested in already. 

Another fun and effective creative writing exercise for high school is to have your student retell classic stories with a twist. 

List of 55 Creative Writing Activities for Students of All Ages

No matter what age range your students may be, I think you’ll find something that suits their personality and interests in this list of creative writing ideas. Enjoy! 

• Using only the sense of hearing, describe your surroundings. 
• Write a paragraph from your shoes’ point of view. How do they view the world? What does a “day in the life of a shoe” look like?
• Imagine what the world will be like in 200 years. Describe it. 
• Write a letter to someone you know who moved away. What has he or she missed? Should he or she move back? Why? 
• Make up an imaginary friend. What does he or she look like? What does he or she like to do?
• Create a story about a person you know. Use as many details as possible.
• Write a poem that describes a place you have been.
• Soak up the season you’re in with seasonal creative writing prompts. Here are some ideas for fall and winter .
• Write a song where each line starts with the next letter in the alphabet. 
• Create a list of words related to something you love.
• Write a short story based on a true event in your life.
• Rewrite a chapter of your favorite book from the antagonist’s point of view. 
• Write a letter to your future self. What do you want to make sure you remember?
• Go on a five-senses scavenger hunt. Find three items for each sense. Create a story using the items you found. 
• Create a story around an interesting picture ( try these fun picture writing prompts! )
• Find an ad in a magazine or elsewhere and rewrite the description to convince people NOT to buy the advertised item.
• Write a story using the last word of each sentence as the first word of the next.
• Describe everything you’re sensing right now, using all five senses.
• Write a list of animals A to Z with a one-sentence description of each one. Feel free to include imaginary animals.
• Design your dream room in detail.
• Write a script of yourself interviewing a famous person. Include his or her answers.
• Describe what high school would be like if you lived on the moon. What would you be learning about? How would you be learning it?
• Describe a day in the life of a famous person in history. Include both mundane and exciting details of things they may have experienced on a normal day.
• Pick up something on a bookshelf or end table nearby. Now write a commercial script for it to convince your audience that they absolutely must own this thing.
• Plan a birthday party for your best friend. Describe the decorations, food, and everything else.
• Write a very short story about three siblings fighting over a toy. Now rewrite it twice, each time from a different character’s perspective.
• Tell a story from the point of view of a pigeon on a city street.
• Create a menu for a deli you’ll be opening soon. Name each sandwich after something or someone in real life and list the fillings and type of bread.
• Pretend you just became famous for something. Write 3 exciting newspaper headlines about the topic or reason behind your newfound fame.
• Keep a one-line-a-day journal. Every day, write down one thought or sentence about something that happened that day or how you felt about the day.
• Have you ever had a nightmare? Write what happened but with a new ending where everything turns out okay (perhaps the monster was your dad in a costume, preparing to surprise you at your birthday party).
• Write a “tweet” about something that happened to you recently, using only 140 characters. 
• Take an important event in your life or the life of someone in your family. Write one sentence answering each of the 6 journalistic questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
• Set a timer for 5 minutes and write nonstop, starting with the words “I remember.” If you get stuck, write “I remember” again until you get unstuck.
• Pick something you use often (a toothbrush, your desk, etc). Then tell the story of how it was invented. If you don’t know, make something up.
• Choose a princess or hero and write a one-paragraph story about him or her traveling to a distant land.
• Pretend you are a tour guide for a local attraction. It can be a library, a park, or a museum, but it could also be a place that wouldn’t normally hold tours (such as an arcade). Write a speech about what you tell your tour group as you walk around the attraction.
• Create a marketing brochure for your favorite activity or fun place to go.
• Make a list of 10 future story settings. Write one sentence describing each. For example, “ in the dark, musty cellar of my grandmother’s house, surrounded by dried-up jars of canned peaches… ”
• Make a list of foods included in a dinner party catered by the world’s worst cook, describing how each course looks, smells, and tastes. Include your reactions while eating it.
• Write out your own version of instructions for playing your favorite game.
• Pretend you’ve lost your sight for one night. Describe going out to eat at a restaurant, using smells, textures, and sounds to tell your story.
• Write a script for an interesting phone conversation in which the reader can only hear one side. 
• Tell the story of an object someone threw away from the perspective of the person who tossed it out. Then tell the story of that same object from the perspective of a person who finds it and deems it a treasure.
• List your 3 least favorite chores. Pick one and write a one paragraph detailing why you can’t possibly complete that chore ever again.
• Write an excerpt from your dog’s diary (pretend he keeps one).
• Write the script for a movie trailer—real or imagined.
• Create an acrostic for a holiday of your choice. 
• Pretend you’re the master of a role-playing game, describing a sticky situation in which the other players now find themselves. Describe the scenario in writing.
• Compose a funny or dramatic caption for a photo.
• Parents, place a textured object in a box without letting your student see it. Have him or her reach in, touch the object, and then describe how it feels.
• Write lyrics for a parody of a song.
• Make a list of 10-20 songs that would be played if a movie was made about your life.
• Describe the sounds, smells, sights, and textures you’d experience if you went to the beach for the day.
• Write an election speech with ludicrous and impossible campaign promises.

One of the best ways to encourage students to write regularly is by providing fun creative writing activities . 

They serve to encourage both the habit and mindset of writing with imagination. If you need extra help with that, check out Creative Freewriting Adventure :

bring excitement into your student’s writing – no prep required!

About the author.

Jordan Mitchell

Free Creative Writing Story Prompts

One thing I want to incorporate into our upcoming homeschool year that we have never done before is to add in some creative writing.

My daughter does some writing on her own here and there, a couple of years ago she was dictating her stories to me while I typed them out on the computer and now she’s switched over to writing her own stories out. Recently she was working on creating a list of characters for a story, it included a family tree and short descriptions of each of the characters, too cute.

And while I love that she chooses to write her own stories I wanted to be a little more intentional with our story writing this year and kept trying to remind myself to actually write the idea down so I didn’t forget when it came to planning our year out.

I’ve had the idea on my mind for awhile now and the other evening the kids and I were sitting around together so I came up with a couple of story starter ideas and the kids picked one and we began writing a story together, each adding about two sentences at a time until we had a decent (and silly) story.

My daughter was inspired and started writing her own story starter ideas, all ending on nice cliffhangers and I thought why not share our ideas here ?

You can use these prompts in any way you want, give the full list to a kid to pick on to continue, give just one prompt for a child to work on or do what we did – work on one prompt as a group, each adding a few sentences at a time.

I’ve typed out ten of our story starter ideas for you to go ahead and use, in addition, I put them into a PDF in case you want to print them out and have them ready for when you need them.

FREE CREATIVE WRITING STORY PROMPTS

Macy knew the goblin was getting closer, she quickly glanced back and she turned back around only to see that she had entered . . .

Anthony was practicing his foul shots at the playground basketball court. He had been getting most of them in until . . .

Elliott enjoyed taking pictures and one afternoon decided to venture into the nearby woods to try to photograph some moss, but he wasn’t prepared to find . . .

Jane was writing her first book, she was just about to start another sentence when her mom called her and said . . .

One day Jill was practicing piano as was her normal afternoon routine when she heard a knock at the door . . .

It was close to the end of her soccer game when Olivia got the ball and she dribbled it up to the net, it was right there that . . .

Ben woke up excited, today was his twelfth birthday! He quickly went to the kitchen and said good morning to his parents, they let him open his presents right away and he was excited to find . . .

Bobby had spent the last hour cleaning up his room, he was just putting the last Lego in the bin when he heard a sound . . .

Andy was walking down the street when he saw something move in the trees ahead of him, he was sure it looked like a hairy purple tail, he got closer to the trees and found . . .

Ethan, Ellie and Emma were excited because their parents told them today they would be getting a surprise. They had waited all afternoon and were finally getting it . . .

Grab the printable version here .

If you end up using the story starters, let us know, we would love to read some completed stories!

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Homeschool Writing Prompts: Foster Educational Creativity

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.

Benefits ⁢of⁢ Homeschool Writing Prompts for Educational Creativity

Unlocking imagination: exploring the power of homeschool writing prompts, developing critical thinking skills: how homeschool writing prompts can help, enhancing communication abilities through homeschool ⁢writing prompts, personalized learning: ⁣tailoring homeschool writing prompts to your child’s⁣ needs, fostering‍ a lifelong love ‍for writing with​ homeschool writing prompts, frequently asked ⁣questions, to wrap it ⁢up.

When it comes to homeschooling, incorporating writing prompts can ‌be ‍a fantastic way to nurture your child’s educational creativity. Not‌ only do writing prompts provide structure and guidance for their written expressions, but they also offer ​a myriad of benefits that help boost their overall ⁢learning​ experience.

So, what‍ exactly are the benefits of using homeschool ​writing prompts? Let’s explore:

• Fosters imagination: ⁣ Writing prompts act as a springboard for your child’s imagination, igniting their creativity ‍and encouraging them to ​think outside the‍ box. ⁣By giving them a ⁣specific⁢ topic, theme, or scenario to write about, prompts‌ allow their ‍minds to wander, enabling unique and ​original ideas to ⁣flow effortlessly onto the page.
• Enhances critical thinking skills: Writing prompts require your child‌ to analyze,​ reflect, and form coherent thoughts. Through engaging with prompts⁢ regularly, ⁤they can develop essential critical‍ thinking skills, evaluating different perspectives​ and expressing their ideas logically. They’ll also learn to construct persuasive arguments and think critically⁢ about different ⁢subjects, laying ⁢a solid ‌foundation for their future intellectual growth.
• Improves writing fluency: ⁣Daily writing practice achieved through prompts can significantly ⁢improve your child’s writing skills. Encouraging them to write on a ‍variety of ⁤topics helps enhance their vocabulary, grammar, and‌ syntax. Additionally, the ⁢consistent writing⁣ routine nurtures their ability ​to write fluently, construct well-structured sentences, and communicate effectively.

Writing prompts ‌have long ⁤been used ⁢as ⁣a ⁣valuable tool in⁣ the homeschooling community to inspire creative thinking and foster ⁣a love for⁤ writing. ​By providing a starting point or a specific direction for ⁢writing, these prompts unlock a world of imagination that ⁣might otherwise remain untapped. Whether you’re a ⁢homeschooling parent or a student, incorporating writing prompts into your curriculum can greatly enrich​ the learning experience.

One of the key benefits of homeschool writing ‌prompts is ‌their ⁢ability to stimulate critical thinking skills . Writing prompts encourage students to analyze and interpret ⁤information, stimulating their minds and promoting higher-order thinking. Additionally, prompts prompt​ students to develop their ​own opinions, supporting the development of independent thought and encouraging them to⁤ explore new ideas.

• Writing prompts foster ⁢creativity and imagination.
• They encourage ⁣critical‌ thinking skills.
• Writing prompts promote communication and self-expression.
• They enhance‍ vocabulary and language skills.
• Writing⁢ prompts support​ the development of a structured writing process.

Moreover, homeschool writing prompts provide an opportunity ⁣for students to enhance their communication and self-expression skills. By responding to prompts, students learn to articulate their thoughts and ideas effectively, strengthening their ability to express themselves in ⁣a clear and concise manner. Writing prompts also encourage students to experiment with various writing styles, take risks, and‌ find their unique‌ voice ‍in the world of words.

Furthermore, ⁣these ​prompts serve as a ⁢valuable tool for enhancing vocabulary and language skills. They expose students to new ‌words, idioms, and phrases, ⁣helping expand their lexicon and improving their ability to express themselves⁢ fluently. Regular ⁣practice with writing prompts also reinforces grammar and sentence⁣ structure, ensuring students develop a solid⁢ foundation in ⁣written English.

Developing‍ critical thinking⁣ skills is an essential aspect of a well-rounded education, and homeschooling provides a unique opportunity for students to cultivate this ability through engaging writing‍ prompts. By challenging learners to think deeply‌ and analyze various⁣ ideas, homeschool writing prompts foster the development of critical thinking in a comfortable and supportive environment.

One way ​homeschool writing prompts contribute to the growth of‌ critical thinking⁤ skills⁣ is by encouraging students to explore ‌different perspectives. These prompts⁢ present topics that may have multiple viewpoints, allowing learners to evaluate and consider ‌various arguments. They‍ push students to question assumptions, identify biases,⁤ and develop their ability to think critically about ⁢complex issues. For example, prompts asking students to ⁣debate the‍ pros and cons of technology usage or the effects of climate change can help them acquire the skill​ of evaluating evidence and forming⁣ well-reasoned opinions.

Moreover, homeschool writing prompts often require students to engage in thorough research before voicing ⁣their thoughts.⁣ This process not only strengthens their information‍ literacy skills but also​ instills the habit ‌of seeking reliable sources ⁤and verifying information. By encouraging ⁤students to weigh⁤ evidence, distinguishing between credible and‌ unreliable sources, these ‌writing prompts ​teach them the crucial skill of making informed decisions based on evidence. This practice equips students with ​the ability to critically evaluate information in an⁤ age where misinformation is rampant.

In conclusion, homeschool writing ‍prompts prove to be ⁤an⁢ invaluable tool in⁣ developing critical thinking skills .‌ Through exploring diverse ⁤perspectives and‌ conducting ⁢thorough research, students acquire the ability​ to critically analyze information, form well-grounded opinions, and make informed choices. Homeschooling provides ‌an ideal setting for fostering these skills, ​allowing students to grow their‍ critical thinking abilities while receiving personalized guidance and support.

Writing is‌ a powerful tool for enhancing communication ⁣abilities, and homeschool writing prompts ‍provide a⁣ wonderful⁤ opportunity for students to develop their⁢ skills in a ‍creative and engaging way. These prompts can spark ‍imagination, critical thinking, and expression, ultimately helping students become ⁤more effective communicators.

By using homeschool writing prompts, students⁣ can:

• Expand vocabulary: Writing prompts encourage students ‌to explore ​new words and phrases, expanding their vocabulary and allowing them to communicate their thoughts with greater precision.
• Boost creativity: Writing prompts ⁣ignite the⁣ imagination, enabling students to think outside the ‌box and create unique⁢ stories, essays, or poems. This helps develop their creativity, which is vital for effective communication in any setting.
• Practice organization ‍and structure: Homeschool writing prompts provide ‍a framework for students​ to practice organizing their thoughts and structuring their ideas coherently. ⁤This helps them effectively convey their message to readers or ⁢listeners.
• Improve grammar and spelling: Regular⁢ writing practice through prompts allows students⁣ to refine their grammar skills and ⁢improve⁢ their spelling, ensuring their⁤ written communication is ‍polished and error-free.

So, whether it’s through‌ short stories, persuasive essays, or creative poems, incorporating homeschool writing prompts‌ into your curriculum ‍can greatly enhance⁣ your child’s communication⁣ abilities, setting them​ up for success in both their ⁤academic and personal lives.

When it comes to homeschooling, one of the most effective ways to nurture your child’s writing skills‍ is through personalized learning. By tailoring writing prompts ​to meet your child’s needs, you can create a more engaging and fruitful writing experience that ⁣sparks their ‍creativity and enhances ⁢their communication skills. Here’s how you can customize writing ​prompts ‌for your child:

• Understand their interests: Take some time ⁢to ⁣learn about ⁣your child’s interests, hobbies, and​ passions. By incorporating topics they genuinely care about into the⁣ writing prompts, you can ignite their enthusiasm and motivation to write.
• Identify their strengths and weaknesses: Every child has their own unique ⁤strengths and weaknesses ​when it comes to⁤ writing. Identify areas where ⁢your child excels and areas that ⁤need improvement. Tailor‌ prompts that challenge them in weaker areas ⁢while allowing them to shine in their‌ areas ​of strength.
• Set clear goals: Clearly define writing goals that align with your child’s learning objectives. Whether it’s improving grammar, ⁤developing persuasive writing skills, or enhancing vocabulary, having specific‌ objectives will help you create prompts that are targeted towards ⁤achieving those goals.
• Provide choice: ​Offer your child a variety of prompt options to choose from. This not ⁣only gives them a sense⁣ of autonomy, but also ‍enables ‌them to select⁢ a topic that truly interests them.

By personalizing writing prompts,⁤ you ‍can transform mundane writing exercises into exciting adventures ‌that ​captivate your child’s⁣ imagination. ‌Remember to provide constructive feedback and encouragement along the way, helping ​them to ‍grow and flourish as ‌confident writers. So, get ⁢creative and start tailoring those prompts to​ unleash your child’s writing potential!

One⁢ of the greatest gifts we can ⁢give ⁢our ⁤children is a love for writing. Writing ‌not only cultivates creativity and self-expression, but it also ‌enhances critical thinking and communication skills. To nurture this‌ passion ⁤for writing in homeschooling, incorporating writing prompts can be incredibly beneficial.

By using homeschool writing prompts, children are encouraged to think outside the box and delve‍ into ⁤various⁣ topics.​ These prompts⁢ serve as inspiring starting ‌points for their writing journey, igniting‌ a spark of imagination. Whether it’s a captivating story, a ​persuasive essay, or a thoughtful ⁢poem, these prompts provide endless ⁣possibilities⁢ for exploration and growth.

Here are a few key reasons why homeschool ​writing prompts are essential in fostering‌ a lifelong love for ​writing:

• Unleashing creativity: Writing prompts provide​ a platform for creative freedom,⁤ allowing ⁢children to think creatively and unleash their imagination.
• Building writing skills: Regular practice with⁣ prompts helps children develop ⁣strong writing skills, including grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
• Encouraging‌ self-reflection: Prompts often prompt children to reflect on their own experiences, thoughts, and feelings, leading to personal growth and self-awareness.
• Expanding knowledge: ⁤ Through exploring various prompt‍ topics, children⁢ expand their knowledge base⁣ and develop research skills.
• Inspiring‌ confidence: Successfully completing ‍writing⁤ prompts boosts⁤ children’s confidence in their writing abilities, fostering a positive attitude toward writing.

In conclusion, homeschool writing⁢ prompts play a vital role in fostering a lifelong love for writing. By‍ providing a structured yet imaginative approach, they encourage children to embrace and enjoy the writing process. So let’s embark on ‍this writing​ adventure‌ with our homeschoolers, using prompts to ⁣unlock their creative⁢ potential and​ cultivate a love for writing that will last a ​lifetime.

Q: How ⁤can homeschooling parents foster educational creativity‍ through writing prompts? A: Homeschooling parents play a vital role in nurturing their child’s creative writing abilities while encouraging their educational growth. Using homeschool ‌writing prompts is an‍ excellent way⁤ to foster creativity.

Q: What are writing prompts and how do they help in homeschooling? A: Writing​ prompts are stimulating ideas or ⁤questions that encourage students to write. They can ⁤be simple sentences, thought-provoking questions, or even ⁢imaginative scenarios. Writing prompts provide a starting point and help students explore their thoughts,‍ ideas, and emotions, ultimately enhancing their writing skills.

Q: How do writing prompts enhance creativity in homeschooling? A:‍ Writing prompts ⁢serve as a creative catalyst by challenging children to⁢ think outside⁢ the box. They⁤ encourage imagination, critical thinking, and self-expression. By presenting ‌diverse prompts,‍ homeschooling parents can expose their children to different writing styles, genres, and themes, broadening their creative horizons.

Q:​ How can parents select appropriate writing prompts⁤ for their homeschool curriculum? A: Parents should consider ⁢their child’s ‌age, ‍interests, and subject ⁤areas when ⁣selecting writing prompts. Offering ⁣a ⁢variety of prompts related to science, ⁤history, literature, or personal experiences ⁣can keep the curriculum engaging and relevant.‍ Finding prompts that resonate with their child ‍sparks enthusiasm for writing and​ enhances educational creativity.

Q: Are there any resources available for homeschooling‍ parents to find⁤ writing prompts? A: Absolutely! ⁣Several ​resources are available ⁤online, providing an extensive collection of​ homeschool writing⁣ prompts suitable for various age ‌groups and subjects. Websites, blogs, ⁣and educational forums‌ offer⁢ free and paid resources tailor-made for homeschoolers. Parents can explore these platforms to ⁤find a wealth of writing prompts to ⁣enhance their child’s creativity.

Q: How⁢ frequently should homeschooling​ parents incorporate writing prompts into their ‍curriculum? A: The frequency of incorporating writing prompts can vary depending on the child’s needs and the homeschooling schedule. It is ‌advisable ⁢to include writing prompts at least a few times a week. Regular‌ practice ensures that children can build upon ‌their writing skills and creative​ thinking consistently.

Q: Can writing prompts be adapted for different ‍grade levels in‍ homeschooling? A: Absolutely! Writing prompts can ⁢be adapted ​for different grade levels. For younger students, ⁢prompts can be simpler and more focused on imaginative play or⁢ descriptive writing. Older students can tackle more complex prompts,⁢ delving into analytical essays, persuasive arguments, or even⁣ creative⁤ storytelling. Adapting prompts to grade levels ensures an appropriate level ⁢of challenge for each child.

Q: ​Besides writing skills, what other benefits can⁤ homeschoolers gain from working with ‍writing prompts? A: Working with writing prompts not only helps homeschoolers develop‍ strong writing skills, but it also improves critical thinking , problem-solving, and decision-making⁤ abilities. It enhances vocabulary, grammar, and ⁣language proficiency. ‍Additionally, writing prompts encourage self-reflection and help boost a student’s confidence ⁣by providing a⁣ platform ​for‍ self-expression.

Q: Are there any tips for‍ homeschooling parents to ⁢maximize the impact of writing prompts ⁢on their child’s educational ⁢creativity? A:​ Yes, a few tips ⁢include providing a ⁣supportive and encouraging environment, allowing for open-ended‌ responses⁣ to ‌prompts, and giving constructive feedback. Parents can also encourage their child to share their written work with others, such as family members or online writing communities, to receive ​further feedback and broaden⁤ their⁢ perspectives. Allowing flexibility and creativity in response to writing prompts can truly​ maximize their impact.

In conclusion, homeschooling allows ⁣for flexibility in incorporating writing prompts in daily​ lessons, fostering creativity⁤ and enhancing educational development.

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How to Encourage Creative Writing in your Homeschool

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Creative writing — do your kids love it or hate it? Either way, here are some ideas to make creative writing in your homeschool more delightful, even for reluctant writers.

My daughters are constantly creating – artwork of all kinds, short stories, picture books, digital art, crafts, songs, and whatever other creative urge strikes them. It’s amazing to see what they come up with on their own.

We love creative writing in our homeschool, but I know that’s not the case for everyone. Struggling with writing is one of the most common issues I hear from other homeschool moms.

Sometimes kids just need a little freedom to use their imaginations and do some free writing. Trying some writing prompts to get their ideas going can also help to open up new ideas.

On the other hand, some kids are just plain intimidated by that blank sheet of paper or computer screen. They need a bit of a jumpstart to get their creative writing ideas flowing. That’s totally normal, too.

Why Creative Writing Skills are Important

While creative writing is a great skill in and of itself, t he process of learning creative writing will also instill in your child a variety of transferable skills, such as:

• thinking outside of the box
• resourcefulness
• problem-solving
• enhanced vocabulary
• persuasive skills
• communication skills
• organizing ideas
• and (of course) imagination

Sometimes we need to give our kids different tools for creativity. Resources that will give them some direction in their learning, but not discourage their curiosity and creativity.

So what type of homeschool language arts or creative writing curriculum can you use that will help encourage those creative writing skills?

Night Zookeeper Language Arts

Night Zookeeper  is an award-winning and creative writing program online that helps improve the writing skills of 5-12+-year-olds.

The creativity begins when children create their own Night Zookeeper avatar. What kid doesn’t love to do that kind of activity online? It feels like a game, so it takes the intimidation out of the blank page and allows kids to begin using their imaginations in a fun way, right away, with no pressure.

From there, they’ll design their first magical animal for their zoo. My daughters love to do this kind of thing with digital art, so this was right up their alley.

After creating the animal, they get to name it, answer questions about it, and write their first animal report. To collect orbs (which can upgrade their animals), they’ll need to follow the directions for their report, such as including certain things like commas, adjectives, a goal word count, or other writing objectives based on their age/ability level.

Night Zookeeper comes with a thorough Parent Guide in pdf format so you know just what to expect and can help your kids walk through the process if they have any questions during the setup.

It’s a very intuitive process, especially for digital natives like our children. My daughters didn’t have any trouble figuring out how to get started. They looked forward to creating their own zoo full of unique animals.

The tasks, goals, and challenges are all geared for the age-appropriate skill range. For instance, a 6-year-old will not get the same assignments that a 10-year-old gets. This type of customization can make Night Zookeeper a great choice for your whole family of learners at different levels!

The curriculum adjusts based on their skill level, too. This means that weaker areas are shored up by reviewing concepts they might’ve missed earlier, while also getting progressively more challenging as they begin to master skills. There are learning goals for each age group that can be found in the Parent Guide.

Twice a week, children will receive episodes through the interactive Zoo TV dashboard. It’s recommended that kids check in at least twice a week to work on these assignments which help them to focus on building different specific skills.

Children will get feedback on their writing from the Night Zookeeper tutors staff. They offer encouragement and tips to help kids improve their writing. They also identify spelling or punctuation mistakes. All of this is done through messages that children can access within their account dashboard.

Parents have their own special dashboard to monitor progress and adjust settings as necessary.

Night Zookeeper has a global audience and children can have “friends” on their account. You can turn off this feature through the parent dashboard if you prefer. Friends lists are private and you have a choice to remove a friend request privately as well. If you choose to use this feature, children can leave and receive comments on their work, making it possible to work together with their peers.

I was initially concerned about privacy and safety in the online community, but it is well monitored and moderated, so no comments can be left without moderation/approval. There is also a code of conduct regarding plagiarism and behavior.

Benefits of Using Night Zookeeper

Using Night Zookeeper in your homeschool has many benefits, including:

●  Improved Core Reading and Writing Skills

●  Personalized feedback from a dedicated team of tutors

●  Weekly lessons that incorporate interactive video elements and games to teach your children key skills.

●  Publishing opportunities and weekly competitions with real-life prizes!

●  FREE monthly educational printables

The biggest benefit? Night Zookeeper will inspire a love of writing!

Night Zookeeper is also portable — it can be used across PC’s, iPads, and Google Chromebooks with Safari, Firefox, and Chrome browsers. Internet Explorer is not recommended.

Night Zookeeper is a very interactive and engaging environment that takes the drudgery out of writing by gamifying it. There are word games, contests, weekly competitions with other Night Zookeeper participants, writing prompts, book reports, digital drawing space, fun quests, and feedback from peers and tutors — all within a safe online community for kids.

Try Night Zookeeper for Creative Writing

You can get 50% off an annual subscription with this link:

Night Zookeeper annual membership

It’s just $59.99 for the year for a single child subscription and $77.99 for 2-3 children. (More children can be added at customized prices.)

Not sure if you’re ready for a one year commitment yet? You can get a 7-day free trial to test it out! If you decide to continue, you’ll still get the 50% off the yearly subscription. Save

I highly recommend Night Zookeeper for homeschool creative writing and language arts, especially for reluctant writers who just need a little bit of encouragement and inspiration to let their imaginations go wild! Save

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400 Free Lego Brick Creative Writing Prompts

February 1, 2016 by Rebecca Spooner

Do you have a kinesthetic or hands on learner with whom writing is a constant battle? Are you at your whits end trying to get your child to write and looking for creative ways to make it fun and engaging? I have put together 400 hilarious creative writing prompts specifically designed for Mega Bloks and inspired by my new found Brave Writer lifestyle. I chose Mega Bloks as opposed to smaller Lego for a few reasons. First of all, it is cheap. If you aren’t a Lego collector, you can run out to the nearest thrift shop and easily find a bucket or bag for $5. Secondly, they will work for children of all ages and abilities. If you are working with a child who has a learning challenge, the size of these blocks will make building stories much more doable. Thirdly, the larger writing is much easier to read for emerging readers. You can shrink your printable down to size and use it on Duplo or even Lego bricks, just make sure your child can still read them!

In this post I am going to show you how you can create 400 different story scenarios with your children in a hands on way that brings writing to life! We are going to talk about the best way to approach creative writing with your kids in a way that facilitates a love for it rather than making it overwhelming and unattainable.

Free Hands On Creative Writing Prompts for Kids.

Before we begin, grab your free printable creative writing prompts or story starters below. You want to make sure you test out your printer and see if you need to scale it down in size or can print it directly from the PDF. Also, don’t forget to add [email protected] to your contact list so you get the emails I send and they don’t go to your junk folder!

How to use these creative writing prompts.

To use your creative writing prompts, you will print and cut them out. You can either glue them on with a light glue, or a glue gun which is easy to remove, or even little removable sticker dots. Another easy way is to print them off on sticker paper and just stick them onto your Mega Bloks directly, though these can be difficult to take off afterwards so keep that in mind if. Once you have your labels fastened, your children will pair up a character with an event. There are 400 options available if you set them all up. You will need 40 blocks for this set up. I highly recommend allowing your children to create ANY pair that is interesting to them, don’t try to direct them. Something that has them laughing and engaged is the best place to start! You can use these with younger children as well by just narrating what they say and transcribing the story for your children.

I chose strong adjectives for many of the characters to add interest and increase your child’s vocabulary. You may need to explain what the adjective means so your child can decide how they want to pair them up. Once they have the title, they can write that down on a piece of paper as the title and write to their hearts content! You can use this as free write inspiration or do a full writing assignment out of it. But keep in mind ENCOURAGE, PRAISE, be their biggest cheerleader. Say the positive things about their writing FIRST. Train your eye to not focus on printing or spelling or grammar, but rather the idea, the thought, the person BEHIND the story. You set the tone for the writing experience in your home, the more fun you can have with it, the more successful it will be!

Did you try this writing activity?

PLEASE tag me in your posts on Instagram so I can see what you did with them. Take pictures of your child building with the Mega Bloks (or whatever blocks you choose to use). Take pictures of the outrageous stories they write. SHARE them on social media and tell your kids that. Show them that you are so proud of what they made that you want to “publish” it for the world to see. Begin instilling confidence in your little writer today and stay tuned for more info on how Brave Writer is changing my life!

Happy Writing!

I used to review curriculum, now I create it!

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Fun prompts and activities are essential for learning how to write! Check out all of our fun writing prompts for kids!

What are writing prompts and how can I use them in my homeschool? 

Writing prompts are a great way for your child to practice their handwriting and creative writing skills at the same time.

Adding simple writing exercises to your homeschool lineup not only provides extra learning time for your little one, but it can also give mom a much-needed breather!

If your child isn’t a huge fan of handwriting, these simple writing prompts for kids can turn a mundane task into something exciting and fun!

The Importance of Writing Practice

First, let’s talk handwriting practice.

If your young homeschooler is anything like mine, they probably despise handwriting time!

With that said, handwriting is one of the most important things to include in your homeschool routine. Proper pencil grip and practicing correct letter formation are two essential steps to learning the basics of handwriting.

This is why I absolutely love leaning on simple handwriting programs like The Good and the Beautiful to teach the basics, while adding in fun extras like writing prompts.

Next, let’s talk creative writing practice.

Encouraging kids to practice their creative writing skills at a young age is so important!

Not only will this help prepare them for larger writing assignments as they move on to new grades, but it will also help them stretch those imagination muscles once in a while.

Printable Writing Prompts for Kids

If you’re looking for elaborate, long-winded writing prompts — keep on searching.

However, if you are in need of something incredibly simple just to help your kids think outside the box, I’ve totally got you!

With 2 simple versions to choose from, my writing prompts for kids make a great add-on to any language arts curriculum.

Each set of writing prompts includes 19 individual worksheets to help engage your young learner and to encourage a deep love of writing — all while get getting creative and sharpening those pesky handwriting skills!

These prompts are meant to encourage creativity and spark a love for writing at a young and tender age!

Some topics included in these worksheets are people, feelings, and favorite things.  Your young homeschooler will also be encouraged to write short stories and poems along the way!

Ready to Download Your Writing Prompts?

Simply click the image below to get your printables!

By purchasing this set through our TPT store, you are helping our little homeschool family! As always, we appreciate your support!

Want to check out our full selection of printables? Head over to the Simply Be Wild and Free Teachers Pay Teachers e-store to browse all of our products!

Love these printables? Take a moment to share this post on social media for other homeschool moms!

Other Homeschool Activities & Printables

Love our printable writing prompts for kids? Check out our entire Homeschool Activities section on the blog as well as some of our favorite Kid Activities and printables!

Meet the Author

Hey guys! I’m Mary, homeschool mom of 3 amazing kiddos.

I’m so excited that you decided to check out my little corner of the world!

If you have been following our journey for any length of time, you already know that I’m obsessed with coffee, organization, and all things simple.

I’m also a huge dog lover and introvert 💗

My homeschool style is very eclectic.

I enjoy a solid mixture of structure and free range. I set goals for myself and my children each week, but I put no pressure on perfection.

We use a wide variety of curriculum in our home.

Some of our current favorites are The Good and the Beautiful, Life of Fred, Beautiful Feet Books, and Lifepac.

While my kids do spend a good amount of time learning at desks, they also spend countless hours exploring their creativity and practicing a little independence.

I love mountains, rainy days, and sitting by the campfire. 

Our family recently relocated to the PNW and we have been enjoying finding new nature spots to explore together 🙌🏼

I can’t wait to connect and share all the things I’ve learned on our new journey! 

Just a Note…

Thanks for checking out the homeschool activities helps portion of the blog! 

I have so many fun ideas planned for this category! I can’t wait to share them all with you.

I hope you found this article helpful and come back to visit again soon!

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Three ways to implement creative writing prompts for your homeschooler.

Writing is one of those skills that’s essential but often viewed with dread by many homeschooling families. And there’s an easy way to make writing a chore, stick with essays, paragraphs, and expository sentences. But, if you want to unlock your child’s inner Shakespeare and instill a love of writing, you’ll need to mix it up, choosing to make creative writing ideas your go-to strategy for both expression and assessment. It’s easy to find thousands of writing ideas and creative writing prompts that engage and excite. But, how do you implement them in a way that keeps writing fresh and exciting? Here are three ways to implement creative writing prompts for your homeschooler that will keep their pencils busy and frustration at bay.

Creative Writing Jar

One tricky part of implementing creative writing ideas is keeping them fresh. Enter the jar method. Research and make a list of as many creative writing prompts or strategies as you can, writing each one that appeals to you and your students on a small slip of paper. Then fold them and place them in a jar. When it’s time to do a writing activity have each child pull out a different slip with writing ideas or prompts and answer them. This works for both different prompts or questions and styles of writing. Don’t be afraid to be a bit zany and allow your students to have a say in what goes into the jar. Think haiku, limerick and mad libs as well as short story, expository paragraph, and journal entry. If your student pulls something they hate, no worries! Keep that prompt or style in the rotation for a while to give your writers a chance to complete a few writing prompts they love. This will keep your creative writing prompts and styles fresh and take the “you made me and I hate this!” argument out of the equation.

Make It A Daily Routine

A tried and true way to implement creative writing prompts without grumbling is to make it part of your everyday routine. Create a writing notebook or journal for each family member, that means you too parents! Choose a daily prompt that relates to your family life and will have meaning for each writer. Then take 5-10 minutes to write together. When you’re done have a time of sharing where you take turns reading your creations. Often the simple act of seeing a parent complete a task will encourage your student to participate. An added bonus of this strategy is a deeper family time sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences that create more unity and closer bonds.

Read to Write

In working with homeschooling families for over 25 years we’ve found that one of the biggest obstacles to implementing creating writing prompts with success is lack of connection to the topic. That’s why our last strategy is our favorite. Students should be able to connect with what they write as writing is, at its core, an act of expression. What better way to implement creative writing prompts than to make them about what you are reading? That’s easy, you say! We already do that! Well, here are a few creative writing strategies that put a twist on “write a paragraph about what you just read” and make writing about reading much more fun!

• Create journals pretending you are the main character or narrator.  What would you do?  Where would you go? How would you act?
• Create a newspaper article (or an entire paper!) What are the best parts of the story that are newsworthy and essential for the world to know?
• Think of the problem in the story. Write step-by-step directions of how NOT to get into the same bind!
• Write a script for a scene based upon a story you’ve read. How would the characters interact in the script?
• Cut photographs from magazines and create dialogue for your characters that go along with a story.
• Make comic books based off your favorite stories.
• Create a movie poster with synopsis. How would you highlight the story line and hook people into watching your movie?
• Draft fill in the blank paragraphs for other family members to complete.
• Choose your favorite paragraph and rewrite it using synonyms. Don’t be afraid to keep a Thesaurus on-hand to learn new vocabulary along the way.
• Generate mad libs!  Enjoy these and share with your family to keep a fresh and fun perspective on writing.

Writing can be engaging and exciting, especially if you keep if fresh with these three ways to implement creative writing prompts for your homeschooler. How do you encourage creative writing without whining? Tell us in a comment below! Want more tips for your homeschooling family? Follow our blog and like us on Facebook!

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40 Unique Thanksgiving Creative Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages

Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links. That means if you use them to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. You can read my full affiliate disclosure  HERE .

As Thanksgiving approaches, homeschooling becomes an opportunity for more than just education – it’s a canvas for creativity!

In this post, I’m going to help you unlock the magic of Thanksgiving through the art of creative writing in your homeschool. If you’re looking to add some imagination and inspiration to your homeschool lesson plans this month, I’ve crafted a great list of Thanksgiving creative writing prompts and projects your students of ALL ages will love.

At the heart of homeschooling lies the flexibility to explore a wide range of teaching methods, and creative writing is a powerful tool that can ignite young minds (even helping reluctant writers!), foster critical thinking, and nurture self-expression. Whether you have preschoolers or high schoolers, there are writing prompt ideas here for everyone.

Why Creative Writing on Thanksgiving?

You know that Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday filled with favorite food and family gatherings; and it’s a great time of year to weave creative writing into your homeschool lessons!

Why you might ask?

Creative Writing Fosters Self-Expression and Communication Skills

When kids have the opportunity to write creatively, they are empowered to share their thoughts, emotions, and experiences through words. They can be encouraged to find their own unique voice, and communicate effectively!

As homeschool moms, we have the opportunity to create a nurturing environment where our kids can freely express themselves, and holidays like Thanksgiving can be a fun time to do this (when we sometimes stray a bit from our “typical” homeschooling routine).

Creative Writing Encourages Critical Thinking

There are many Thanksgiving creative writing prompts you can use that can encourage critical thinking in your kids: about the world around them, the history and significance of the holiday, cultural aspects of celebrations, or analyzing their own beliefs and experiences

This not only enhances their critical thinking skills but also broadens their understanding of the world.

Creative Writing Can Help Cultivate Gratitude

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, and creative writing provides a great platform for children to reflect on the things they are thankful for.

You can use writing prompts to encourage your children to express their appreciation for family, friends, food, and the simple joys of life. In the process, they will develop a deeper sense of gratitude, a valuable life skill that extends far beyond the holiday season!

Creative Writing Enhances…Creativity!

Creative writing unleashes children’s imaginations! They can create stories, poems, and essays that reflect their unique perspectives on Thanksgiving.

This creativity not only makes learning more enjoyable but also reinforces the idea that there’s no one “right” way to approach a topic. It encourages out-of-the-box thinking and opens the door to imaginative storytelling.

…RELATED POST… A Great Way to Get Your Kids Writing: Night Zookeeper Review

Creative writing personalizes learning.

Homeschooling allows for personalized education (that’s why we love it so much, right?). Creative writing can be tailored to each child’s skill level and interests.

You can provide age-appropriate prompts and challenges for each of your kids, ensuring that they’re continually challenged and engaged. It’s a flexible tool that can be adapted to suit your child’s learning needs.

Age-Appropriate Creative Writing Prompts for Thanksgiving

So what do writing prompts look like at different ages and stages? How could you adapt and use them for all learners in your homeschool?

Let’s take a look at how to adjust the complexity and expectations of creative writing prompts to cater to your homeschooling needs.

For Younger Kids (Preschool and Elementary School):

• Simple and Concrete Prompts: Younger children may benefit from straightforward, concrete prompts that are easy to understand. For example, “Write a short thank you note to someone you love.”
• Visual Prompts: Incorporating images or drawings alongside the prompts can help younger kids who are still developing their writing skills. They can describe what they see in the picture or write a story based on it.
• Short Sentences: Prompts should be concise and use simple language, ensuring that younger children can grasp the concept quickly.
• Prompt with Leading Questions: Use leading questions to guide their thinking. For instance, “What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving, and why?”
• Use of Familiar Themes: Leverage familiar themes, such as family, pets, favorite toys, or holiday-related topics like “What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?” These themes resonate with younger children and make writing more relatable.
• Encourage Drawing and Labeling: Allow younger kids to combine drawing with their writing. They can draw a picture and label it or write a short sentence or phrase to describe it.

For Older Kids (Middle School and High School):

• Abstract and Thought-Provoking Prompts: Older kids can handle more abstract and thought-provoking prompts that require deeper reflection. For example, “Describe a time when you had to show gratitude even when it was difficult.”
• Extended Prompts: Provide more detailed prompts that require a longer response, such as, “Write a short story about a Thanksgiving adventure.”
• Prompts with Multiple Parts: Create prompts with multiple parts or questions to encourage critical thinking and comprehensive responses. For instance, “Explain the history of Thanksgiving and how it has evolved over the years.”
• Incorporate Literary Techniques: Challenge older kids to incorporate literary techniques like metaphors, similes, or alliteration in their writing. For example, “Write a poem that expresses your feelings of gratitude, using metaphors to describe what you’re thankful for.”
• Promote Personal Reflection: Encourage older kids to reflect on their experiences and emotions. Prompts may revolve around introspective questions like, “What does gratitude mean to you, and how has it shaped your life?”
• Research-Based Prompts: Introduce prompts that involve research, analysis, and argumentation. For example, “Research the history of Thanksgiving and write an essay explaining the significance of the holiday.”
• Narrative or Persuasive Writing: For high school students, you can offer prompts that involve narrative storytelling or persuasive writing. They can write a short story about a unique Thanksgiving experience or argue a specific point of view related to the holiday.

Tailoring your creative writing prompts to the age and developmental stage of your kids ensures that they provide the right level of challenge and support for their writing abilities.

Fun Thanksgiving Writing Prompts

Here’s a list of 40 total Thanksgiving creative writing prompts, 10 for each grade/age level.

If you’d like to grab this list in printable form (along with some Thanksgiving theme writing pages!), you can do so here .

Preschool and Kindergarten

These prompts are designed to be simple and engaging for preschool and kindergarten-age kiddos, fostering creativity and gratitude while developing essential writing skills!

• Draw and Describe Your Favorite Thanksgiving Food: Have your child draw a picture of their favorite Thanksgiving dish, and then help them describe it using simple words. For example, “I like turkey. It’s yummy!”
• Write a Thank You Note: Help your child write a thank you note to someone they are grateful for. For example, “Thank you, Mom, for the delicious pie!”
• Create a List of Things You’re Thankful For: Encourage your child to make a list of things they are thankful for, such as family, friends, toys, or pets.
• Draw Your Dream Thanksgiving Meal: Ask your child to draw what their dream Thanksgiving meal would look like, and then have them describe it to you.
• Tell a Story About a Thanksgiving Adventure: Prompt your child to tell a simple story about a Thanksgiving adventure, like going on a turkey hunt or having a special meal with a talking turkey.
• Draw a Thanksgiving Picture and Write a Sentence: Have your child draw a Thanksgiving-themed picture and then write a simple sentence about it. For example, “I see a pumpkin.”
• Write a Sentence About What You Wear on Thanksgiving: Ask your child to describe what they wear on Thanksgiving. For example, “I wear a fancy dress.”
• Draw and Describe a Thanksgiving Tradition: Encourage your child to draw a picture of a Thanksgiving tradition your family has, like watching the parade or playing football, and then describe it.
• Write a Thank You Note to Nature: Help your child write a thank you note to nature for the beautiful fall leaves, and ask them to describe their favorite leaf.
• Create a Simple Thanksgiving Poem: Work with your child to create a short, rhyming Thanksgiving poem. For example, “Turkeys on the run, Thanksgiving has begun. Pumpkin pie so sweet, it’s a special treat.”

Elementary Students

Here are ten creative writing prompts suitable for elementary kids. These prompts are designed to inspire elementary-age children to express themselves creatively and reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving.

They can be adapted to different grade levels, allowing for varying levels of complexity in the responses.

• Describe Your Perfect Thanksgiving Day: Have your child write a detailed description of what their perfect Thanksgiving day would look like. Encourage them to use vivid language and sensory details.
• Write a Thanksgiving Letter: Ask your child to write a letter to someone they are thankful for, expressing their gratitude and sharing what they appreciate about that person.
• Create a Thanksgiving Acrostic Poem: Have your child write an acrostic poem using the word “THANKSGIVING,” with each letter representing something they are grateful for.
• Tell a Thanksgiving Tale: Encourage your child to write a short story about a Thanksgiving adventure, whether it’s a journey back in time to the first Thanksgiving or a fictional tale about a turkey’s adventure.
• Design a Thanksgiving Menu: Have your child design their own Thanksgiving menu, including appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts. They can describe each dish and explain why they chose it.
• Write a Dialogue Between a Turkey and a Pilgrim: Challenge your child to write a dialogue between a Thanksgiving turkey and a Pilgrim. What would they say to each other?
• Describe Your Thanksgiving Traditions: Ask your child to write about the family traditions they follow on Thanksgiving and why they are important.
• If I Were a Thanksgiving Turkey: Have your child imagine they are a Thanksgiving turkey. Ask them to write from the turkey’s perspective, describing their thoughts and feelings.
• Thanksgiving Interview: Encourage your child to “interview” a family member about their favorite Thanksgiving memories and traditions. Write the interview in a question-and-answer format.
• Create a Thanksgiving Poem or Song: Challenge your child to write a poem or song about Thanksgiving. They can choose the theme, whether it’s gratitude, family, or the Thanksgiving feast.

Middle School Students

Here are ten creative writing prompts suitable for middle schoolers:

• Write a Thanksgiving Journal Entry: Have your kids imagine they are a Pilgrim or Native American at the first Thanksgiving. Write a journal entry from their perspective, describing the experience and their thoughts.
• The Great Thanksgiving Escape: Encourage your kids to write a short story about a Thanksgiving turkey’s daring escape from the dinner table. What adventures does the turkey encounter?
• A Thanksgiving Mystery: Challenge your kids to write a mystery story set on Thanksgiving. There’s a missing item or a mysterious event, and they need to solve the case.
• Thanksgiving Around the World: Ask your kids to research and write about how Thanksgiving or similar gratitude-themed holidays are celebrated in other countries. Compare and contrast these traditions with the American Thanksgiving.
• An Interview with a Historical Figure: Have your kids write an imaginary interview with a historical figure from the first Thanksgiving, such as Squanto or William Bradford. What questions would they ask, and how might the historical figure respond?
• The Thanksgiving Feast of the Future: Encourage your kids to envision a futuristic Thanksgiving feast. What new foods, technology, or new Thanksgiving tradition might be part of a Thanksgiving family celebration in the future?
• If You Could Invite Anyone to Thanksgiving: Have your kids write about whom they would invite to their Thanksgiving dinner if they could choose anyone, living or historical. Why did they make these choices?
• A Thanksgiving Poem of Gratitude: Challenge your kids to write a heartfelt poem expressing gratitude for the people, experiences, or things they are thankful for in their life.
• Thanksgiving Traditions Essay: Ask your kids to write an essay discussing their family’s Thanksgiving traditions and how these traditions have evolved over the years.
• The Thanksgiving Debate: Assign a Thanksgiving-related debate topic. For example, “Should Black Friday shopping start on Thanksgiving evening?” Have your kids research and present their arguments in writing.

These prompts are designed to engage middle school students in creative and reflective writing while encouraging them to explore different aspects of the Thanksgiving holiday. They can be adapted to different skill levels and serve as opportunities for critical thinking and self-expression.

High School

Here are ten creative writing prompts suitable for high school-age students, designed to engage them in critical thinking, creativity, and self-expression while encouraging them to explore deeper themes related to Thanksgiving and gratitude. They provide a bit more opportunity for in-depth writing and reflection.

• The Modern Pilgrim: Have students write a first-person narrative from the perspective of a modern-day Pilgrim who time-traveled to experience the first Thanksgiving. What differences and similarities would they observe?
• Thanksgiving Through the Eyes of an Immigrant: Ask students to write a story or reflection from the viewpoint of an immigrant experiencing Thanksgiving in the United States for the first time. What surprises or challenges might they encounter?
• A Thankful Letter to the Future: Encourage students to write a letter to their future selves, expressing gratitude for the people, experiences, and opportunities they hope to have in the years to come.
• The True Meaning of Giving Thanks: Challenge students to write an essay exploring the true essence of giving thanks. What does gratitude mean to them, and how does it relate to the holiday of Thanksgiving?
• The Thanksgiving Experiment: Have students envision a unique Thanksgiving experiment. What happens when people try to celebrate the holiday without food or in complete silence? Write a narrative about the outcomes.
• An Alternative Thanksgiving History: Prompt students to rewrite the history of Thanksgiving from a different perspective. For instance, what would the history be if it were told by Native Americans or African Americans?
• The Thanksgiving Feast of the Future: Encourage students to create a detailed vision of a Thanksgiving feast in the distant future. Describe the cuisine, customs, and technology of this futuristic celebration.
• Thanksgiving Reflection Poem: Ask students to write a reflective poem about the people and things they are thankful for, but with a focus on personal growth and self-discovery.
• The Politics of Thanksgiving: Have students write an essay or op-ed piece discussing the political, cultural, or environmental aspects of Thanksgiving. Explore topics like food sustainability, the representation of Native Americans, or the holiday’s commercialization.
• A Thanksgiving Mystery: Challenge students to write a mystery story set during Thanksgiving. What mysterious event or crime occurs, and how is it solved?

Incorporating Creative Writing into Your Thanksgiving Curriculum

Now that you know why it’s a great idea to get your kids writing creatively during Thanksgiving (and have some great prompts to help you out!), let’s talk about ho w you can actually fit this into your homeschool curriculum.

Creative writing isn’t just an extra activity; it can become a valuable tool for teaching various subjects and skills.

Here are some thoughts on how you can incorporate creative writing into your homeschool curriculum during the holidays:

Set Clear Learning Objectives

In other words…what is your “why” for your activities? What skills or knowledge do you want your children to gain through these creative writing exercises?

Whether it’s improving vocabulary, enhancing descriptive writing, or exploring historical themes, defining objectives will guide your approach and activities.

Theme Integration

Integrate Thanksgiving themes into other subjects! For example, in history, your kids can explore and write about the historical context of Thanksgiving, the Mayflower voyage, and the interactions between the Pilgrims and Native Americans. In science, they might write about topics like the life cycle of a turkey or the fall season.

Creative writing can easily become a cross-disciplinary exercise that enriches your curriculum.

Multimodal Learning

Incorporate various learning styles by combining writing with other forms of communication.

For example, you might have your children create visual representations alongside their creative writing, such as drawings, diagrams, or collages. These multimodal approaches enhance comprehension and memory.

Field Trips and Experiential Learning

Take advantage of the Thanksgiving season by organizing field trips or experiential learning activities. If you can, visit a historical site related to the Pilgrims (or even take a “virtual” field trip if you can’t go in person). Encourage your kids to document these experiences through writing and reflection.

Interactive Storytelling

Foster interactive storytelling by having your children create and perform Thanksgiving-themed plays or share their stories during a Thanksgiving gathering. This not only promotes public speaking skills but also builds a sense of community through shared narratives.

Fun Thanksgiving Writing Activities

Finally, Thanksgiving provides a fantastic opportunity for students to take on creative writing projects that go beyond a daily writing prompt.

The following fun writing activities not only encourage imagination and self-expression, but also allow kids to dive deeper into the spirit of the holiday. Here are some inspiring Thanksgiving creative writing projects for your homeschool:

Thanksgiving Journals

Thanksgiving journals are a great way for your kids to document their thoughts, feelings, and experiences throughout the holiday season.

These journals can include daily reflections on gratitude, descriptions of Thanksgiving traditions, and even illustrations. This project will encourage consistent writing and self-expression.

Short Stories or Essays on Gratitude

Challenge your kids to craft short stories or essays centered on the theme of gratitude.

They can write fictional tales that revolve around characters learning the value of thankfulness, or they can write personal essays discussing the people, moments, or experiences for which they are most thankful.

Letters of Thanks

Involve your kids in writing letters of gratitude to family members, friends, or even community helpers like firefighters, teachers, or healthcare workers.

This project not only hones their writing skills but also nurtures empathy and thankfulness.

Creating Thanksgiving-Themed Poetry

Encourage your kids to explore the world of poetry by composing Thanksgiving-themed poems!

They can experiment with different forms like haikus, sonnets, or free verse to express their feelings of gratitude, the beauty of autumn, or the essence of the holiday.

Historical Narratives

Delve into the history of Thanksgiving by challenging your children to write historical narratives.

These narratives can explore the events surrounding the first Thanksgiving, the Mayflower voyage, or the interactions between the Pilgrims and Native Americans.

Research, storytelling, and writing converge in this educational project.

Thanksgiving Recipe Book

Combine creativity with practicality by creating a family Thanksgiving recipe book!

Have your children write short descriptions of their favorite Thanksgiving dishes, along with the recipes. Illustrations or photographs can accompany the descriptions, turning this project into a cherished keepsake.

Diary of a Thanksgiving Turkey

In a humorous twist, encourage your children to write a diary from the perspective of a Thanksgiving turkey. What would the turkey think and experience in the days leading up to the holiday? This imaginative exercise encourages creative storytelling.

Comparative Thanksgiving Analysis

For older students, have them research and write an analytical essay comparing Thanksgiving traditions and celebrations in different parts of the country or even in different countries. This project promotes research skills, critical thinking, and cultural understanding.

Thanksgiving Play or Skit

For a hands-on project that combines creative writing with performance, encourage your students to write a Thanksgiving play or skit.

They can perform it for family members during the Thanksgiving celebration, bringing their writing to life in a fun and interactive way.

These Thanksgiving creative writing projects offer a wide range of opportunities for your kids to explore their creativity, strengthen their writing skills, and deepen their understanding of the holiday’s significance. Choose the project that resonates most with your family and watch the magic of Thanksgiving come to life through the written word!

Homeschool Creative Writing Resources

I hope this post was helpful to you in giving some ideas for incorporating creative writing into your Thanksgiving homeschooling plans!

Make sure to grab my Thanksgiving Creative Writing Prompts printable to get a copy of all 40 prompts listed in this post, along with some cute Thanksgiving writing papers for your kids to use with their writing!

You might also like these FREE Creative Writing Graphic Organizers to help your kids organize their ideas as they write throughout the year.

Happy writing, and Happy Thanksgiving!

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Creative Writing for Homeschool

Creative writing is a powerful tool that nurtures self-expression, imagination, and critical thinking skills in children. As homeschoolers and home educators, we have the unique opportunity to incorporate creative writing into our curriculum whenever we wish, encouraging and fostering a love for writing in our children outside of the boundaries of traditional language arts teaching.

Benefits of Creative Writing

Creative writing offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond the mere act of putting words on paper. By engaging in creative writing, individuals can develop their unique voices, enhance language and communication abilities, and explore new worlds through storytelling. Whether it’s through poetry, fiction, or personal narratives, the benefits of creative writing are endless, empowering individuals to express themselves and embark on a lifelong journey of writing.

Below you will find some of the reasons why you should include creative writing this year with your kids as well as a few practical tips to help you get started.

Encouraging Self-Expression and Imagination

Creative writing offers a platform for children to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a safe and unrestricted manner. Home-educating your kids provides a nurturing environment where children can freely explore their creativity, develop their unique voices, and foster self-reflection.

By embracing creative writing, we empower our children to communicate effectively and develop a sense of confidence in expressing themselves.

Building Essential Language and Communication Skills

Regular engagement in creative writing enhances language skills by expanding vocabulary, improving grammar and sentence structure, and encouraging a deeper understanding of storytelling elements.

Through imaginative storytelling, descriptive passages, and poetry, children develop a rich and nuanced language repertoire. These skills extend beyond writing, benefiting their reading comprehension, verbal communication, and critical thinking abilities too.

Fostering Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Creative writing prompts children to think critically, analyze situations, and develop logical arguments within the context of their stories.

By exploring different perspectives, creating complex characters, and building intricate plots, children develop essential problem-solving skills. They learn to approach challenges with innovative solutions and develop a deeper understanding of cause and effect, which extends to other subjects and real-life situations.

Cultivating a Love for Literature

Engaging in creative writing allows children to immerse themselves in the world of literature. As they explore various writing genres and styles, children gain an appreciation for the craft of storytelling and develop a deeper understanding of literary techniques.

This exposure to different forms of writing inspires a love for literature and encourages them to become lifelong readers. Why not use a book you are reading aloud or a living book as a starting point for your creative writing with your kids?

Nurturing Personal Growth and Confidence

Creative writing provides an opportunity for children to showcase their unique talents and express their individuality. By seeing their ideas come to life on the page, children experience a sense of accomplishment and pride. The positive feedback and recognition they receive from parents and peers further boost their confidence, nurturing their personal growth and self-esteem.

Creative Writing Subscriber Library

One of the biggest issues many children and homeschooling parents have when starting creative writing is knowing what to start with. We’re here to help and have a fantastic FREE printable library of creative writing prompts for kids!

This library is ever-growing and includes printables for seasons, holidays and themes and topics. To access you just need to subscribe below and you will have instant access plus extra resources, tips and more straight to your inbox.

Latest Creative Writing Ideas and Inspiration on Rainy Day Homeschooling.

Creative Writing Prompts for the Spring Equinox

Free Printable St Patrick’s Day Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

FREE March Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

Practical tips for incorporating creative writing into your homeschool.

• Set aside dedicated time for creative writing activities, allowing children to immerse themselves in the writing process.
• Provide a variety of writing prompts that cater to different interests and genres, encouraging exploration and creative freedom.
• Create a comfortable and inspiring writing environment, with access to writing materials and resources.

We have more tips and advice on getting started read our guide to using creative writing prompts for more ideas.

Embrace the world of creative writing in your homeschool and watch as your children’s imaginations soar to new heights.

Cerys Parker is the mum behind the home educating family at Rainy Day Homeschooling, she's a marine biologist, environmental educators and ex-teacher. Hands-on learning, reading around and delving into subjects deeper has been one of the most enjoyable things to homeschooling her kids and she shares her expertise here.

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25 Writing Prompts for the First Day of Homeschool

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Are you looking for some interesting writing prompts to ease your child into their first day of homeschool this year? I’ve put together 25 different writing ideas for students of all ages.

Getting Started with Writing Prompts

To begin, either assign your child a prompt or let them choose one of their own. If you’re more adventurous, have them draw one from a hat or have them pick a number between 1 and 25 to write the one that corresponds to the number they chose.

These can be used with kids of all ages. Younger students can draw a picture and dictate to you what to write for them. Older students can begin working on their penmanship and getting back into the habit of using good, descriptive writing techniques and great grammar. Simply adjust your expectations depending on the age of your child, and let them have a little bit of fun with this quick and simple assignment.

Encourage your homeschooled student to get creative with their writing. Instruct them to doodle or draw a nice picture above their writing to illustrate it. With an assignment as fun as this, they won’t mind getting back into the swing of doing school! If you’re looking for ideas to use throughout the rest of the year, these elementary writing prompts will make you smile.

25 Writing Prompts for the First Day of School

1. My favorite part of school is… 2. The thing I am most looking forward to this year is… 3. My favorite subjects in school are… 4. When I am finished with my schoolwork for the day, I want to celebrate by… 5. The best part about my summer was when… 6. The next holiday I am really looking forward to is… 7. I am excited about… 8. When I grow up, I want to… 9. I had a lot of fun with my friend(s) this summer when we… 10. The best part of starting school this year is… 11. Something I am nervous about this year is… 12. If I made a time capsule, I would include the following 6 items… 13. Something I do really well is… 14. By the end of the year, I hope to have learned… 15. I am very skilled at… 16. The best part of the day is… 17. If I had to teach a class this year, I would teach others… 18. I’m glad that I homeschool because… 19. The funniest thing that happened to me this summer was when… 20. I am happy right now because… 21. My best advice for someone new to homeschooling would be… 22. Something I would like to teach myself to do is… 23. My friends usually describe me as… 24. Something I would like to do to help others is… 25. People would be surprised to know that I…

Writing prompts like these are a wonderful way to teach lessons on a tight budget. Be sure to check out how to homeschool for free (or really cheap) for more tips.

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Creative Writing in Your Homeschool

Creative writing is a great tool to use in your homeschool. It offers an outlet for creativity and free expression, a place to explore ideas, and is an excellent way to practice communication skills. Check out this Homeschool Living for ideas for strategies for teaching creative writing, creative ways to encourage reluctant writers, and fun ways to use creative writing in your homeschool.

Though far from the only subject you’ll teach in your homeschool, writing is one of the most important skills to start teaching early and to continue to develop over time. Creative writing influences cognitive development by encouraging organizational skills, building confidence, developing problem solving skills, and increasing communication and persuasion skills. Check out these four benefits of creative writing to explore more reasons to teach creative writing in your homeschool.

This ultimate guide to creative writing from The Unlikely Homeschool shares a ton of great story starters and creative writing prompts, hands-on and multi-sensory activities to inspire creative writing projects, learning resources, and tips for encouraging reluctant writers.

From the time that your kids are old enough to start stringing sentences together, they have a story to tell. Pay attention to how they play, communicating with each other and with toys in independent play, and you’ll hear the stories they’re creating. This means that you can start teaching story structure even in preschool, and help make the reading and writing process more intuitive as they progress.

These  six strategies for teaching story structure are great ways to help students develop their communication and comprehension skills. Experiment with visuals and games geared toward younger students, and graphs and charts that will especially appeal to older or more analytical students.

Using a student’s natural creativity and enthusiasm can be a great jumping-off point for your creative writing lessons, but not every student has the inclination or confidence to embrace creative writing initially. 

Creative Writing Assignments

A fun way to round out your creative writing assignments is to incorporate binding the finished projects into the process. That doesn’t mean you have to send materials away to be bound–although that can be a fun way to experiment and learn about different methods if your budget allows. These five DIY book-binding methods are just as effective for your purposes, and are fun ways for students to showcase their work, practice fine motor skills, and unleash their creativity. This also provides a great opportunity for students to practice summarizing and advertising their “book” by designing book jackets, covers, and illustrations.

Especially if you have multiple or enthusiastic writers, you might find these finished projects pile up quite quickly. Take the opportunity to impart another life lesson. Encourage students to re-use, re-work, and re-create from their own or from each other’s material. Certainly keep the most prized accomplishments as they are, but you can help cut down on paper waste and boxes of old school projects by adopting a few additional practices. Have students practice typing skills while recording their finished stories electronically, and then use illustrations, sentences, and even colorful words and phrases from their work as story starters and inspiration for other projects. If students learn early on to view these assignments and projects as building blocks for learning new things, improving skills, and creating challenges, it will help them develop the life-long learning attitude that all homeschooling parents strive to instill in their children.

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FREE Writing Prompts Broken Down by Age Group

Published: October 12, 2019

Contributor: Sarah Shelton

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

If you have a child that struggles with writing it may be time to take a break from the textbook and try something creative and new. Writing Prompts are a great way to give our children the freedom to write creatively, with some prompting. This helps if you see that they are constantly finding themselves stuck on what to write. 

You can even give them a creative writing notebook and let them free write with the use of prompts once a week, or as a break from a normal English/Language Arts scheduled writing assignment. You will see that it can really help to take the pressure off of them. A simple search online will yield hundreds and hundreds of results for writing prompts.

You can search for hours, but you don’t have to, because we have done the hard work for you! Not only have we created some adorable, and very fun writing prompts of our own, we have rounded up some of our favorites. We’ve also taken the search a step further and broken them down for you into separate age groups. Creative writing prompts can help your children become better writers

Browse our huge list of free writing prompts broken down by age group:

Early Learning Writing Prompts:

Preschool Copy and Write Writing Prompts – Preschool Mom

Kindergarten Writing Prompts   – Preschool Mom

Jungle Animal Creative Writing Prompts – 123 Homeschool 4 Me

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Farm Themed Creative Writing Prompts with Handwriting Practice for Early Learners – This subscriber only freebie includes a traceable short sentence for children who are not writing on their own yet, and additional lines for students who want to write more. There is a cute illustration they can color, as well as a space to illustrate the sentences.

Trace and Write Creativity Prompts and Handwriting Practice for Early Learners: January  – This freebie can be used for any year, and is for the month of January. Each prompt has a winter theme with cute seasonal items, such as sledding, polar bears, hot cocoa, and more!

Space Themed Writing Prompts for Beginner  and Elementary – These space themed creative writing freebies have two levels. They both include a place to draw and illustrate the creative writing prompt. Beginning writers only have a short copywork sentence, but there are also extra lines included if they want to keep writing.

Horse Themed Writing Prompts for Early Learners and Elementary (2 Levels) – The early learner pack contains dashed lines for younger children learning to trace a simple sentence with a space to illustrate. The elementary pack has regular lines for students who can write without dashed lines, and it has interesting questions to answer about horses.

Elementary Writing Prompts:

Writing Prompts About Community Helpers Instant Download (ages 8-12)

6 Minecraft Writing Prompts – Encouraging Moms at Home

Unicorn Writing Prompts for Grades 2-4 – 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Cat Comic Strip Homeschool Writing Prompts – Write Shop

Journal Buddies has lots of writing prompts broken down by grade:

35 1st Grade Journal Writing Prompts

Narrative Writing Prompts for 1st Grade

30 2nd Grade Writing Prompts

36 Daily Writing Prompts for 2nd Grade

39 Fun 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

Creative Writing Topics for Grade 3

30 Expository Writing Prompts for 4th Grade

73 4th Grade Writing Prompts

35 Writing Prompts for 5th Grade  

5th Grade Opinion Writing Prompts

FREE World of the Ocean Themed Writing Prompts for Elementary Children

Middle School Writing Prompts:

We love all the great writing prompts from Write Shop:

Persuasive Essay Writing Prompts for Middle School

Teen Essay Prompts About Cooking and Eating

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts for Junior High

Writing Prompts About Movies

Middle School Music Writing Prompts

The True Story Behind The Grinch Middle School Writing Prompt – Writing With Sharon Watson

Time Travel Middle School Writing Prompt – Writing With Sharon Watson

Creative Writing Quotes from US Presidents with Printable Notebooking Pages –  Ben and Me

100 Writing Prompts and Story Starters for Middle School and Highschool – My Cup Runs Over

Quick Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers – Journal Buddies

High School Writing Prompts:

100 Writing Prompts From History for Teens – Write Bonnie Rose

Creative Writing and Notebooking Pages on Quotes by C.S. Lewis – Ben and Me

Highschool Cause and Effect Writing Prompts – Write Shop

Shakespeare Writing Prompts for High School – Write Shop

Writing With Sharon Watson has created some wonderful writing prompts perfect for High Schoolers:

7 Prompts on Wisdom

7 Quotations to Ponder

What is Your Theory of Happiness?

Dear Future Me Writing Assignment

Let There Be Light: The Power of One Syllable Words Writing Prompts

3 Powerful Persuasion Strategies that Advertisers and Politicians Use Writing Prompts

For the Love of Narnia and Middle Earth Free Downloads and Writing Prompts

Creative Writing Helps:

One Sure Fire Way to Create Writing Prompts for your Homeschoolers – Writing With Sharon Watson

Recommended Resource: Creative Writing Story Steps Writing Guide – these steps will show your middle and high school students, step by step, how to the tackle many different kinds of writing with brainstorming questions. The questions included will help them to write fiction and also non fiction by using the steps in the writing guide. 

• FREE writing prompts

Sarah Shelton

Sarah is a wife, daughter of the King and Mama to 4 children (two homeschool graduates) She is a an eclectic, Charlotte Mason style homeschooler that has been homeschooling for over 20 years.. She is still trying to find the balance between work and keeping a home and gardens. She can only do it by the Grace of God, coffee and green juice

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30 Poetry Prompts To Start Writing During National Poetry Month

A pril is National Poetry Month and if you’re looking for a way to connect with your emotions, unlock vulnerability, and process through some of the big feelings that we are all undoubtedly feeling these days, poetry is a great way to do so. Poetry can feel intimidating to a lot of people because of how visceral it is, and it doesn’t help that a lot of the poetry we are introduced to in school is written by old, white men and can often feel inaccessible.

Or, maybe you just have no idea what the poetry format even is. Luckily, there’s not a lot of rules in poetry; it’s actually really easy to get started writing poetry as a beginner. With some exploring of contemporary poets and a few poetry prompts, those creative juices will be flowing and you’ll be writing a poem in no time.

30 PROMPTS TO HELP YOU START WRITING POEMS

Prompt #1: .

Pick one thing in life you wish you could undo or pick something that haunts you. Consider the thing you have lost and where it was missing in your life. Then, write a poem backward in time until the lost thing is no longer lost.

List places where you feel comforted, things that make you feel taken care of, and things you do to take care of yourself. Then, imagine someone asks you to give them a recipe for how you want to be taken care of . Write a poem in the form of a recipe where you list ingredients that make up the ways you want to be nourished. 

Write an ode to the ugliest thing you know. Or write an ode to something that you love that others may not. Consider writing an ode to the parts of yourself  that you may have named ugly. Rewrite them all in a new light.

Consider a moment when you had to confront something about yourself or someone else. Zoom in on that moment, re-enter it through this poem, and bring things that were not allowed into the room. Who or what do you wish could have been there? Do you wish the setting could have changed? 

Imagine you are at the end of your life. Write a poem about all of your little victories.

Think of a time when you needed protection but didn’t receive it. Write a poem to that part of you. What would you

say ? What did that part of you need to hear? What did they need someone to do? Be specific.

Write a poem in which a song is the centerpiece. Bonus: make the title of the poem the title of the song. 

Consider the five senses: smell, touch, sight, taste, and hearing. Write a letter to someone you love, including a detail about every sense in your poem.

Write a poem where you zoom into a seemingly insignificant moment of your day, week, or year. Pull out the details and make that moment significant.

Start Writing

Journal Prompts: When You're Feeling Down

Journal Prompts: When You're Feeling Grateful

PROMPT #10:

Write a “to-feel” list. Now, write a poem in which you honor those feelings or write a poem about the steps you need to take in order to make space for those feelings .

PROMPT #11:

Write a poem in which two things are true at the same time. Bonus if they are conflicting truths. Allow the nuance to breathe. 

PROMPT #12:

Imagine that you are a visitor from another time period and you just landed in modern-day America. What would your prayer or wish for the people be?

PROMPT #13:

Make a list of times you have hurt someone you love. Write a poem where you imagine what they went through to arrive at forgiveness. In the poem, also explore how you will carry their pain alongside them until it is resolved.

PROMPT #14:

Imagine your inner child and step into their experience. Write a poem from this place to your adult self, explaining what you need. 

PROMPT #15:

Do you ever take those Buzzfeed quizzes that tell you what character you are from your favorite show or what kind of snack you are? Write a poem that functions like one of those quizzes. It can be about any subject you’d like!

PROMPT #16:

Write a list of different physical spaces that are near you. Then, write a list of memories that exist in those spaces. Finish by writing a poem where you explore one of the memories through sensory details. Be as vivid as possible.

PROMPT #17:

Write a poem about your

relationship to nourishment. This does not have to be physical nourishment. (But of course, it can be.)

PROMPT #18:

If it’s not broke, break it. Find a piece of writing that you love. This can be a poem you already know, a piece of prose, anything. Paste that piece of writing into a document and start breaking it. Rearrange the lines, add lines of your own in a different color, reimagine the piece completely. Then, add the lines you added into a separate document and see if that is its own poem. If it’s not, fix it. Make sure to credit the author of the original writing in this exercise.

PROMPT #19: 

Write a poem with the first line, “I’m sorry,” and use it two more times before you end the poem.

PROMPT #20:

Write a poem about standing up to your worst fear. 

PROMPT #21:

Has someone ever told you that you are too much? Or that you’re not

enough ? Write a poem about being exactly the right amount. 

PROMPT #22:

Make a list of parts of your body that you have been told not to love. Write a poem in which you spend time with one or all of those parts. 

PROMPT #23:

Write a poem about a piece of advice you wish someone would have given you in a moment of pain . 

PROMPT #24:

Write a poem in which you imagine a world of abundance. Write about what the world looks like. Write from your own point of view and experiences.

PROMPT #25:

Write about something you are looking forward to.

PROMPT #26:

Write a poem in which everything turns out okay. This can mean whatever you need it to.

PROMPT #27:

Write a poem where you cast a spell on your

past self. What intention do you set for them?

PROMPT #28:

Write a poem in which one part of your body is talking to another. 

PROMPT #29:

Make a list of times where you were faced with a decision. Write a poem where you imagine what would have happened had you gone down the other path.

PROMPT #30:

Experiment with visual poetry. Pick an image that you want to write a poem about. This could be a roof, a knife, a pen, something in nature. Write a poem about that object in the shape of that object. Play around on the page and keep it as simple as you need it to be.