first day of school creative writing ideas

17 Fun First Day Of School Writing Activities

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

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

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

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

Ice Breaker

Writing activities.

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

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

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

The A to Z of Me! Poem

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guess Who? Writing Task

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interview A Classmate Writing Activity :

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First Day of School Persuasive Wish List Task

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

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

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

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

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

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

Collaborative Writing Activities

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

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

Snowball Story-Writing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tapestry Poems

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Peer Editing Exercise

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

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

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

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

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

Students then share their feedback.

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

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

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

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

The Summer Yearbook Writing Task

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

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

The format can inspire many writing activities.

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

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

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

Year Long Inference Based Writing Activities

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Memory Writing Activities

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

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

Paint a Picture With Words

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

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

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

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

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

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

Haiku Writing Activity

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

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

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

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

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

Fun Back To School Writing Activities

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

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

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

Creative Excuses Writing Task

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

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

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

‘What If?’ Writing Prompts

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

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

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

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

The Book Of Summer

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

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

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

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

The scope for creative interpretations here is almost endless.

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

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

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

Fictional Interviews Writing Task

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

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

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

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

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

Write A Story From A Different Point Of View

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summer Headlines Writing Activity

Headlines are  fun to write .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rap and Verse Writing Task

Few genres of writing can be as divisive.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First Day of School Writing Prompts: Middle School Students

Classroom Prompt Assignments

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

Take-Home Writing Assignments

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

First Day of School Writing Prompts: High School Students

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

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

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36 Back to School Writing Prompts (free printable list)

Like What You See? Tell Your Friends!

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Back to school journal prompts

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

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

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

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

Personal reflection and goal setting writing prompts

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

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

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

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

Imagination journal prompts

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

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

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

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

Relationships and school experiences

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

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

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

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

WANT ALL OUR BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES IN ONE PLACE?

School environment writing activities.

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

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

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

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

Favorites and preferences

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

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

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

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

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

Other back to school activities

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

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

Tips for downloading the free files

Below you will see a large sign-up box where you need to add your name and email address, and press I NEED THIS NOW!

Within minutes you will be sent the free PDF directly to your email address, so you can print it out and start using it immediately.

Sometimes emails get a little wonky, so if you can’t see it, please check your spam folder where I am sure it is hiding.

Download the free back to school writing prompts

Make sure you choose the correct paper size and click on the shrink to fit button. All of our free printables for kids work better when printed on  cardstock  (this is the one we use and love.)

Last Updated on 27 March 2024 by Clare

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• Time & Season
• Miscellaneous

35 Best First Day of School Writing Prompts

The excitement of stepping into a new academic year brings a mix of emotions, memories, and anticipations. To channel this whirlwind of feelings, first day of school writing prompts can be a fantastic tool.

Similarly, back to school writing prompts not only help in capturing the essence of this pivotal moment but also spark creativity and imagination in students. Dive into our curated list of 35 prompts that will whisk you away on adventures, invoke introspection, and kindle the nostalgia of school days anew.

Here are 35 best first day of school writing prompts:

• You walk into your new school and discover everyone is speaking a language you’ve never heard before.
• Your backpack starts giving you advice on how to make friends.
• Describe your perfect first day of school using only sensory details.
• Every year, the first day of school falls on a different planet.
• You discover that your teacher has the ability to time travel, and today’s history lesson is a field trip to Ancient Egypt.
• Your new classroom is alive, and it introduces itself to you.
• Write a letter to your younger self giving advice about the first day of school.
• Your school bus takes a wrong turn and ends up in a magical forest.
• The school bell has the power to freeze time, and only you notice.
• You find a mysterious note in your locker with a riddle that must be solved before the end of the day.
• The first day of school is a game, and the winner gets to design the rest of the school year.
• Your shadow becomes your guide and protector in this new school.
• A time capsule from 50 years ago is opened, revealing predictions about your class.
• Your school supplies start chatting with you, each with its own quirky personality.
• On the first day of school, students get to choose one magical ability to use for the entire year.
• The school’s mascot is a live creature, and it decides to attend classes today.
• You discover that the school is built on an ancient map leading to a hidden treasure.
• Each door in the school leads to a different era in time.
• The new student is a famous character from a book, trying to live a normal life.
• Your new school operates under the principles of a forgotten civilization.
• Describe your feelings and surroundings on the first day of school without using any dialogue.
• Everyone gets a robot assistant on the first day, but yours seems to be from the future.
• You find a diary from a student who attended the school 100 years ago, and the entries eerily mirror your day.
• Your new teacher is an alien trying to understand human emotions and customs.
• An age-reversing phenomenon occurs, and all the teachers become kids while the students become the adults.
• A magical school bus can transform into any mode of transport, taking you on unexpected adventures.
• The cafeteria food gives students temporary superpowers.
• Your first assignment is to decode the school’s mysterious motto.
• Your pencil sketches become real, leading to unexpected events during the day.
• A game of two truths and a lie with your new classmates reveals unbelievable secrets.
• A portal in the school library leads to the world of every book.
• The school pet can communicate telepathically, and it has important messages for you.
• Every student gets paired with a mythical creature as a study buddy.
• You discover that the school’s founder left behind clues to a hidden room that grants wishes.
• On the first day of school, a magical rain shower grants everyone the ability to hear others’ thoughts.

Conclusion:

The journey of a school year is filled with countless experiences, memories, and lessons. Utilizing first day of school writing prompts can help students embark on this adventure with enthusiasm, creativity, and reflection. As the year progresses, these prompts not only serve as a gateway to their imaginations but also as a touchstone to revisit and remember that unique blend of nervousness and excitement that only the first day can bring. Happy writing!

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Back to School Writing Prompt Ideas

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The back to school season can be full of tons of back to school writing prompts that allow students to get creative, but also allows you to see where their writing abilities are. All back to school writing topics in third grade and above should be combined with a great read-aloud! This allows your writers to have great conversations, but also see how a good writer writes. 

Learn the Characteristics of a Writer

Each day in the back to school season we learn a new characteristic of writing. Then, when we do our quick writing prompt for the day, we focus on that characteristic. These writing characteristics will carry us through the entire year.

Want this poster for free?! Add your email below! You will find them within the first week plans for school! 

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Back to School Writing Prompt #1: The First Day of School

Read The Exceptionally, Extraordinary Ordinary First Day Of School by Albert Lorenz and then have the kiddos write about their first day of school. I suggest having them write a letter to their parents that tells them about their first day of school! 

Back to School Writing Prompt #2: Let them Get Silly

Read Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border and have them write a paragraph about what food they are most like and why. Then, have them compare with other students!

Back to School Writing Prompt #3: Talk About Their Unique Qualities

Read Spaghetti and a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy and then have them write a paragraph about why they are unique and special. Hang these around the room to remind them of their unique qualities! 

Back to School Writing Prompt #4: Write About Reading

Read Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind by Judy Finchler and then have the kids write a paragraph about how they feel about reading. What books they like, what they don’t like, and how they like to read. Then, keep this paragraph in a safe place and reintroduce it to them at the end of the year. This is a great way to see how their love for reading has changed and how their writing has grown! 

If you want a whole class activity to go with each book and writing prompt then head to the link above to grab the whole pack!

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

Fun activities for the first days and weeks of school.

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

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

Classmate Bingo

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

All About Me Worksheet

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

Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt

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

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

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

First-Day-of-School Flip-Book

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

First-Day-of-School Poem Template

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

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

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

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

Invite students to compare their similarities and differences.

“I Wish My Teacher Knew …” Printable

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

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

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

Interview a Classmate Printable

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

“What Our Classroom Looks Like During …” Activity

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

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

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

10 Free Printables To Celebrate the Last Day of School

We all need a little help on the last day of school. Continue Reading

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August 12, 2022 CG Writing Lessons 9-12 , CG Writing Lessons K-5 , CG Writing Lessons 6-8 , ELA K-5 , ELA Seasonal Back to School , ELA 6-8 , ELA Resources - Activities , ELA Focus - Writing , ELA 9-12 , Core Grammar

Back-to-school writing prompts [includes printable worksheets], by: tiffany rehbein.

Use simple back-to-school writing prompts to assess writing skills and learn important information about each student in your room!

Individual Back-To-School Writing Prompts

Writing assessment comes in many forms, and here are 10 prompts to get your students writing.

Write about going back to school after summer vacation.

Five years from now I will be …

Write a list of 10 things that make you feel good.

Describe your favorite day.

Tell about your favorite weather.

Describe an outdoor game you like to play.

Imagine that you are an animal in the zoo.  What type of animal are you?  How do you feel about your home in the zoo?  How do you feel about people that visit and watch you?

If you could visit any place, where would it be and why?

Draw yourself as a superhero. Write about the personality traits you would have.

As I approached the school on the first day, I saw …

If you would like to extend these writing prompts, download my Letter Writing Prompt Activity . With this activity students will pick a prompt and then write a letter about that topic. Have students practice writing a draft and revising, for a nice, clean final copy. Then instruct students to use the letter template in the Letter Writing Prompt Activity to write their final draft. These final letters can be posted in the classroom or hallway to celebrate your student's writing.

Collaborative Back-to-School Writing Prompts

Using small groups or the whole class, here’s a fun way to write collaboratively!

Each student needs a pencil and a piece of paper that is out of their notebook

Post As I approached the school on the first day, I saw … on the overhead projector or white board

Have each student write the opener and add to it. You can put a time limit on the writing or a quantitative number (e.g., write 3-5 sentences)

After they have written, have the students pass their paper to the person in front of them

Students will read the new paper and add to it (again with a time or sentence limit)

Repeat steps 4 and 5 based on your time frame

Write a conclusion! At this point, you will have an introduction and some body paragraphs. To reinforce writing conclusions, verbally tell the students to write a solid conclusion, wrapping up the story.

Have one student read the story to the entire class to share the creative event!

These back-to-school writing prompts build classroom community, gives students an opportunity to write in an engaging, collaborative manner, and gives you valuable feedback to you about each student’s writing.

Additional Back-to-School Writing Ideas

Don't forget to check out my Who Are You? Writing Prompt . This is a great worksheet to use occasionally throughout the year to show your students you are always interested in their interests... not just during the first few weeks of class.

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Looking for additional writing prompts you can use throughout the year? Below are three downloads that will be great additions to your teaching tool kit.

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50 creative writing prompts for middle school students.

• September 11, 2023
• 11 min read

Table of Contents:

Why creative writing matters, prompts to explore personal experiences, prompts for imagining fantastic worlds, prompts for exploring emotions, prompts to unleash adventure, prompts for humor and laughter, writing prompts for middle school mystery and suspense section, prompts to reflect on the future, prompts for historical time travel, writing prompts for middle school to target sci-fi and futuristic fantasies, writing prompts for middle school to dive into nature, writing prompts for middle school for alternate realities, are these prompts suitable for both classroom and individual use, creative writing.

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Middle school is a time of exploration, growth, and boundless imagination. It’s a phase where young minds are eager to express themselves, and what better way to channel this energy than through creative writing? This article explores 50 creative writing prompts for middle school students to worlds of wonder, emotion, and adventure. These prompts stimulate their creativity, boost their writing skills, and encourage them to think beyond the ordinary.

Creative writing holds a significance that extends far beyond the confines of a classroom. It is a form of expression that acts like a mirror reflecting human emotions, similar to what is explored in What are the three main purposes for writing? . It is a powerful medium through which individuals can express their innermost thoughts, emotions, and ideas, allowing them to connect with themselves and the world around them on a deeper level. This art form empowers individuals to unleash their imagination and paint vivid landscapes of words, enabling them to communicate in ways that traditional language often falls short of. For middle school students, creative writing is a journey of exploration and growth, much like the journey described in How to write a good story: A complete process . As they engage with a diverse array of writing prompts for middle school, they embark on a path that enriches their vocabulary, refines their grasp of grammar, and teaches them the invaluable skill of structuring their thoughts coherently and effectively. Through crafting narratives and weaving intricate tales, students learn the art of storytelling, a skill crucial in literature and various aspects of life. Whether it’s penning down a compelling essay, delivering a persuasive speech, or even drafting a well-structured email, the ability to organize ideas compellingly is a trait that serves students well throughout their academic and professional journey. However, the benefits of creative writing go well beyond linguistic and organizational services like book writing services . This form of expression acts as a mirror that reflects the complexities of human emotions. As students immerse themselves in crafting characters, settings, and plotlines, they inherently develop a deep sense of empathy. By stepping into the shoes of diverse characters and exploring the world from various perspectives, students cultivate an understanding of different viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences. This broadens their worldview and nurtures their ability to relate to and connect with people from all walks of life.

• Discovering a Hidden Door

Imagine stumbling upon a mysterious door in your school that no one else has noticed. Where does it lead, and what adventures await on the other side?

• The Day I Traveled Through Time

You wake up one morning to find yourself in a different period. Describe your experiences and the challenges you face in this unfamiliar era.

• My Conversation with a Talking Animal

While wandering in the woods, you encounter an animal that can communicate with you. Write about your unexpected conversation and the wisdom the animal imparts.

• A Mysterious Message in a Bottle

You discover a message in a bottle washed up on the shore. What does the message say, and how does it change your life?

• Life on a Floating Island

Describe a world where entire civilizations exist on floating islands in the sky. What are the unique challenges and wonders of this airborne realm?

• Journey to the Center of a Candy Planet

You embark on a journey to the core of a planet made entirely of candy. Detail your adventures as you traverse the sugary landscapes.

• The Robot’s Secret Rebellion

In a futuristic city, robots have secretly started rebelling against their human creators. Explore the events leading up to this uprising and the consequences that follow.

• When Magic Came to the Modern World

Magic suddenly becomes real in the present day. How does society change, and how do you adapt to this new magical reality?

• The Joy of Finding a Lost Toy

Revisit a childhood memory of losing a cherished toy and the overwhelming happiness of eventually finding it.

• A Moment of Overcoming Fear

Write about when you faced a fear head-on and emerged stronger and braver on the other side.

• The Bittersweet Farewell

Explore the emotions surrounding a farewell to a close friend moving away. How do you cope with the mixture of joy and sadness?

• An Unexpected Act of Kindness

Describe an instance where a stranger’s small act of kindness profoundly impacts your life and perspective.

• Quest for the Enchanted Crown

Embark on a quest to retrieve a stolen enchanted crown from a treacherous dragon’s lair. Chronicle your epic adventure and the challenges you must overcome.

• Lost in a Haunted Forest

You find yourself lost in a mysterious and haunted forest. Describe your eerie surroundings and the spine-chilling encounters you experience.

• Exploring an Abandoned Space Station

Write about your exploration of a deserted space station, uncovering its secrets and unraveling the mysteries of its past.

• Time-Traveling to Historical Events

Where and when would you go if you could time-travel to any historical event? Describe your experiences and the impact they have on your perspective.

• The Day I Turned into a Vegetable

Imagine waking up one day to find yourself transformed into a vegetable. How do you communicate, and what hilarious misadventures ensue?

• Conversations Between My Pets

Write a humorous dialogue between your pets discussing their daily lives, adventures, and their peculiar perspectives on the world.

• When My Room Became a Miniature Zoo

Describe a scenario where your room suddenly becomes a mini-zoo filled with various animals. How do you manage this unexpected turn of events?

• The Misadventures of Super Socks

Create a quirky superhero story where a pair of socks gains extraordinary powers and embarks on comical crime-fighting escapades.

• The Puzzle of the Whispering Walls

Detail a suspenseful investigation into the strange phenomenon of walls that whisper cryptic messages, leading to an unexpected revelation.

• Footprints in the Forbidden Attic

You discover mysterious footprints leading to the forbidden attic in your house. Write about your daring exploration and the secrets you uncover.

• The Disappearance of the Midnight Carnival

Describe the mysterious disappearance of a beloved carnival that only operates at midnight. What clues do you follow to solve the enigma?

• The Secret Diary of a Famous Explorer

You stumble upon the secret diary of a renowned explorer. Unveil the adventures chronicled within its pages and the hidden truths it holds.

• A Glimpse into Life as an Adult

Imagine yourself as an adult and write about a day in your future life. How have your goals, priorities, and perspectives evolved?

• Inventing a Revolutionary Gadget

Design a revolutionary gadget that changes the world. Describe its features, benefits, and the impact it has on society.

• My First Day on Another Planet

Transport yourself to an alien planet and narrate your experiences on the first day of your interstellar adventure.

• The World After Solving Pollution

Describe a world where pollution has been successfully eliminated. How does this achievement reshape the environment, society, and daily life?

• Prompts for Exploring Friendship

Write about a strong and unbreakable bond between two friends. What challenges have they overcome together, and how has their friendship evolved?

• Adventures of the Dynamic Duo

Create a story about a dynamic duo who embark on thrilling adventures together. What makes their partnership special, and how do they complement each other?

• A Magical Friend from a Book

Imagine a character from a book coming to life and becoming your friend. Describe your magical friendship and the escapades you share.

• Messages in a Bottle Between Pen Pals

Two pen pals communicate through messages sent in bottles across a vast ocean. Write about their unique form of friendship and the stories they share.

• An Interview with a Renaissance Artist

Travel back in time to interview a famous Renaissance artist. Explore their inspirations, struggles, and the impact of their art on the world.

• Surviving the Titanic Disaster

Imagine being a passenger on the Titanic and surviving the tragic sinking. Chronicle your experiences and the lessons you learn from the ordeal.

• Ancient Egypt: Through the Eyes of a Pharaoh

Experience life as an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. Describe the grandeur of your rule, interactions with subjects, and leadership challenges.

• Encountering Dinosaurs in Prehistoric Times

Describe an adventurous journey to prehistoric times, where you encounter dinosaurs and experience the wonders and dangers of the ancient world.

• When Robots Ruled the World

Envision a world where robots have taken over as rulers. Detail the consequences of this robotic regime and the struggles of human resistance.

• Galactic Explorers on a New Frontier

Join a group of galactic explorers as they venture into uncharted space territories. Describe their discoveries, encounters, and the mysteries they unravel.

• The Day I Met an Alien from Mars

Write about the day you encounter a friendly alien from Mars. How do you communicate, and what do you learn from each other?

• Earth 3000: A Utopian Dream or Dystopian Reality?

Transport yourself to the year 3000 and describe the state of the Earth. Is it a romantic paradise or a dystopian nightmare? What led to this outcome?

• Conversations with Forest Creatures

Imagine having conversations with animals in a magical forest. Write about the wisdom they share and the adventures you embark on together.

• My Adventure in the Enchanted Rainforest

Describe your thrilling adventure through an enchanted rainforest with mystical creatures and hidden secrets.

• The Underwater Discovery: Mermaid’s Tale

You discover a hidden underwater world inhabited by mermaids. Chronicle your underwater journey and the interactions you have with these mythical beings.

• Exploring a World Inside a Dewdrop

Write about a micro-adventure inside a dewdrop, where you encounter miniature worlds and experience nature from a new perspective.

• Stepping into a Mirror Universe

Describe an experience where you step into an alternate reality through a mirror. How is this world different from yours, and what challenges do you face?

• The Butterfly Effect: Changing a Single Moment

Explore the butterfly effect concept by narrating a story where changing a single moment in the past has a cascading impact on the present and future.

• My Life as a Fictional Character

Imagine living the life of a fictional character from your favorite book. Describe your experiences as you navigate their world and story.

• When Dreams Became Our Reality

Write about a world where dreams have the power to shape reality. How do people use their dreams to create their lives, and what challenges arise?

• The Ethereal Library

Imagine a mystical library that holds books containing the stories of every possible life you could have lived. Write about a person who stumbles upon this library and can read the book of their alternate life stories.

• The Reality Architect

In a future society, some specialized architects design alternate realities for individuals seeking escape from their own lives. Write about a reality architect and their journey to create the perfect alternate world for a client.

• The Convergence Point

Describe a world where all alternate realities converge at a single point in time. People from different realities can meet and interact for a brief period. Write about the challenges and opportunities that arise during this unique convergence.

The suitability of writing prompts for middle school for classroom and individual use depends on their content and complexity. Prompts encouraging critical thinking, creative expression, and thoughtful discussion can work well in both settings. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Ensure that the prompts are clear and easily understandable by individuals and a group of students. Avoid overly complex language or concepts that might be confusing.
• Writing prompts for middle school allow various interpretations, and responses can engage individual learners and groups. This flexibility encourages students to express their unique perspectives.
• Choose interesting and relevant writing prompts for middle school to the target audience, whether in a classroom full of students or individuals working independently. Engaging prompts are more likely to spark enthusiasm and thoughtful responses.
• Prompts that invite discussion and debate can lead to rich and meaningful conversations for classroom use. These prompts should be open-ended and encourage diverse viewpoints.

Middle school is critical for nurturing creativity, similar to the journey detailed in How to launch a book: The ultimate guide for authors , young students’ creativity, and honing writing skills. These 50 creative writing prompts for middle school offer many opportunities to explore diverse themes, emotions, and scenarios while refining their writing abilities. Whether they’re crafting tales of time travel, exploring futuristic realms, or delving into the mysteries of the past, these prompts will ignite the imagination and open new avenues of self-expression for budding writers.

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15 creative lesson ideas for the first day of school

Back to school. Finally! In Belgium, school starts on the 1st of September, after a summer break of two months. Other countries have already begun the new school year, others still have a few weeks to go.

There’s one thing we all have in common: the first day of school. A special day for students and teachers. A day full of emotions. Stress, fear, relief, happiness, joy, …

How can you make sure those first-day-of-school emotions are good emotions? I’m betting on creative back-to-school lesson ideas students will find a fun thing to do.

So here they are!

15 fun back to school classroom activities

First day of school activities are based upon one goal: to get to know each other. Most first day of school activities are for elementary, but I included a few as well for middle school students and high school students. Some can be used for all ages too.

💡 Pro tip : Make sure to also check out this blog post with 20+ ready-to-use digital lesson activities for on the first day of school .

First day of school activities for elementary students

1. all about the bag.

Hand out a paper bag to all your students the first day of school and put a little note on it:

Directions: Fill this bag with 4 things or objects that tell something about yourself. (only 4 things, no more, no less) All your objects have to fit in this bag. Decorate the bag if you wish! Bring the bag back tomorrow and be ready to share with the class.

2. Figure me out

In fourth grade, students have already learned arithmetics. You could let them create a profile of themselves, describing some fun facts using arithmetics. Take a look at the image below for an example.

Students have to figure out the person by calculating the facts. Then they have to guess who that person is.

3. Beach ball game

A classroom game to get to know each other better. All you need for this first day of school activity is a beach ball and a marker. Write down several questions on the beach ball in a random order.

Examples of questions:

• What are you most proud of?
• What’s the most heroic thing you did?
• What’s your favorite animal?
• What color is your toothbrush?
• I am thankful for _____
• What’s your favorite movie?
• What’s your favorite sport?
• How many siblings do you have?
• What’s your favorite dessert?
• What do you like to do after school?
• When’s your birthday?

Now form a circle and throw the beach ball to a student. Wherever the student’s left thumb lands, is the question he has to answer. After answering that question, he can throw the ball to another student.

4. Create a time capsule

You probably already know the concept of a time capsule. If you have ideas of your own, go with it. If you don’t, here’s something you could do with a time capsule on the first day of school.

Let your students write down their wishes and hopes for the following school year. What do they want to learn this school year? Then put everything in the time capsule and bury is somewhere safe beneath the ground. You could also put a fun class picture in it.

At the end of the school year, you dig up the time capsule and let your students reflect on what they’ve learned and if their wishes at the beginning of the school year came true. You can also try to make the exact same class picture. It’s fun to see who has changed in one year and who didn’t.

You could do this first day of school activity in college as well! If your students are much older, like college students, you could let them write down the profession they want to practice at the end of their studies. A lot of them will have changed along the way, but it’s fun to see how their dreams and expectations change in time. It’s also fun to just include a bucket list of each student. These are things they want to do during their time as a college student.

5. Nice mnm’ing you

Everyone loves mnm’s. Besides eating them, you could also use them for a fun back to school lesson. Divide the mnm’s over a few cups and share them with your students. Students have to pick out a mnm blindfolded and tell a story or answer the question. Every color represents its own story.

• Red: something about yesterday
• Orange: something you do well
• Yellow: something about your childhood
• Blue: something you learned last week
• Brown: something you can’t live without
• Green: something you watch or listen to

Oh, one more thing… Of course students may eat the mnm’s after finishing the question. Guess who’s going to be the most popular teacher this year? 😉

💡 Pro tip : A variation of this game has already been made with BookWidgets. Check it out here ! It is ready to use with accompanying instructions.

6. Randomness

The Randomness widget from BookWidgets is handy for creating a variety of back-to-school games. Spin the wheel to generate a student and ask them to talk about a randomly selected topic. Alternatively, you can give a specific topic and spin the wheel to see which student is chosen.

Topics you can include:

• What would you do with 1 million euro?
• What is your favorite place on earth?
• What is your biggest dream?

💡 Pro tip : Curious for our example? Click here to find out. Some examples of topics we used: What’s your hobby? Where do you live? So actually some icebreaker questions.

Click here to start creating your own back to school randomness activity with BookWidgets.

7. Would you rather

To get to know your students you could ask them crazy choice questions. Make fun cards and let them pick one. They have to answer the question “would you rather…?”.

Here are some examples:

• Would you rather have to eat raisins every day or eat peas?
• Would you rather walk around with a hole in your pants or with a broken zipper?
• Would you rather eat a salad or liver?
• Would you take a bath or a shower?
• Would you rather have lunch with the president or a famous singer?
• Would you rather wear gloves or a hat in the winter?
• Would you rather eat chocolate or skittles if it’s all you had to eat on a hike?
• Would you rather adopt a cat or a dog?
• Would you rather go snowboarding or skiing?
• Would you rather wear flip flops or sneakers?
• Would you rather have an in ground pool or a horse?
• Would you rather live in Hawaii or in Italy?
• Would you rather get in trouble with your parents or your teacher?
• Would you rather ride on an elephant or a giraffe?

💡 Pro tip : You can also put these questions in a “ randomness widget and let students spin the wheel.

8. Snowball fight

Let each student take out a sheet of paper and write down 3 interesting, but not widely known, facts about him or herself. There can’t be any names on the papers!

Let students crumple up their papers into balls and have a paper “snowball” fight. After a few minutes, all the paper snowballs will be all over the classroom. Now, students have to find a snowball, and unfold the paper. Each student must try to find the student whose snowball he or she retrieved.

9. Fit in puzzle

Create a giant blank puzzle and hand out a blank piece of the puzzle to every student. They have to decorate the puzzle piece with drawings that say something about themselves. After, you collect the puzzle pieces and complete it again with the help of your students. Now you have something to put on your empty classroom wall!

First day of school activities for middle school students

10. tell it with emojis.

Let your students summarize what they did during their summer break using only emojis! If you have new students, you can also let them introduce themselves using emojis.

For example:

• Hobby(s): 🎨 💃🏻
• Family: 👨🏻 👩🏼 👧🏽 👧🏻 👦🏻
• Favorite food: 🍝

💡 Pro tip : Unsure about how to create an exercise like this? Don’t worry, I have you covered! Take a look at this ready-to-use example .

The back to School Bingo is a fantastic icebreaker activity for middle school children as it will help them to get to know their classmates. Create a Bingo Card in BookWidgets and in each square, write a brief description, such as:

• Lives close to school
• Likes pizza
• Has 3 siblings
• Loves sport

Challenge your students to go around the room, asking classmates some questions. When they have a match, they are allowed to tick off that square.

💡 Pro tip : Click here to see how it looks like. Afterward, you can use this activity from BookWidgets in your classroom.

Click here to start creating your own back to school bingo activity with BookWidgets.

12. Art-phone

Social media and smartphones are going to be omnipresent during this school year. This fun classroom activity for the first day of school is a nice reminder of that fact. Let’s get crafty and create an art-phone like the one in the image. Create an Instagram wall, a chat session and a social profile.

For more details, take a look at this Pinterest pin .

13. (B)all about me

It’s kind of the same as the creative Instagram activity above this one, but still a little bit different.

Students have to decorate their paper ball with drawings of themselves. Check out what I mean by clicking on this Pinterest link . The result is beautiful!

First day of school activities for high school students

14. get on that chair.

For this classroom icebreaker, students need to be flexible and balanced. For every student, the teacher places a chair. All the chairs should be lined up in a single line. Every student has to stand on a chair. Then, the teacher asks them to go stand in a certain order. For example: “I want you to organize yourselves from young to old.” The students now have to change places without touching the ground.

With this 1st day of school activity, the students get to know each other better in an interactive way. The teacher can give other orders like: “from tall to small.” or “from A to Z.” Every time the students have to change their positions without pushing someone off the chairs. If you want to make it more challenging, you can set a time limit.

💡 Pro tip : Do you find it difficult to come up with assignments? Be sure to check out this Randomness activity , it provides a randomly assigned task for this engaging activity.😉

15. Lie to me

This first day of school activity is a fun way to get to know your students better. Not just the basics, like where they live or if they have a brother, but real stories and anecdotes.

The students have to tell 3 facts about their life. Something that happened to them. Two of them should be true, and one should be a lie. The other students have to find out which one is the lie. You’ll be surprised what kind of crazy things can actually happen! (Or how good your students can lie!)

💡 Pro tip : You can make this assignment even more challenging! Let students write down these stories, and the teacher will read them aloud. This way, other students have to figure out whose it is and what the lie is. Use this activity to easily collect the result.

I hope you now know what to do during your first day of school. If this is not the case and you would like other creative lesson ideas, click here. Share this with your teacher colleages to give them some inspiration. Here comes the new school year! 🎉

Other get-to-know you games are also welcome, of course! Share them in our Teaching with BookWidgets Facebook group and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter .

Oh one more tip: here, you can find student introduction games and fun student energizers .

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7 Writing Ideas for the First Week of School

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The first week of school is usually a blur. We are all settling into a new routine and the summer haze is lifting-slowly. This is the time we are getting to know our students, but also the time there is much to be done. We are settling into a new routine, adjusting students to a new routine, filling out enrollment reports, and putting the finishing touches on our classrooms. For this reason, coming up with first week activities can be a bit stressful. For the past few years, I’ve used these seven writing activities the first week of school at various times throughout the day and they all serve their own purpose.

Goal Setting

My fifth grade team is departmentalized and I teach writing. For this reason, I make this activity specifically writing focused, and put these as the first page of their binders on the first day of school. However, I’ve given an example in the picture below of how this can be done for any subject or grade level. Goal setting is extremely important because it reminds students that there is a purpose and a focus to their learning. I refer back to this page often throughout the year so they see whether or not they are meeting their goals. The picture I listed here is general, but I encourage you to have students list several goals and make them specific and attainable. You can download this FREE goal setting template here .

My Three Best Summer Memories

This activity is great for the very first day. Students can reflect on their summer and then share. It’s a great icebreaker because students love to read aloud their memories and share their pictures. Many times, individual personalities also come through and you can get a sense of what student hobbies are!

What I Want My Teacher to Know About Me

This is my favorite writing activity for the first week of school. I learn so many things about my students, and I constantly look back at these pages throughout the year. I’ve had students share simple things with me such as their favorite ice cream flavor, or very personal things such as family situations at home. This assignment is special to me because students feel they can share and they know I will read them. I often make sure I mention them throughout the next few weeks. For example, “Christopher, when do you start soccer practice?” Or, “Kayla, I’ll make sure I give you a signal before I ask you to read out loud because I know it makes you anxious.” This helps reduce the anxiety for students and create a friendly class atmosphere!

This Year I Want to Learn

I love reading what types of things students are interested in learning for the year. Some of which we won’t be able to cover, but I try my hardest to make sure students learn many at least one of the things they share on this sheet. Even if it means they have to do some of their own research! It’s a great way for students again to have a goal and a focus. Download this template for FREE here.

Grade Level KWL

This is something I created as kind of a unique spin on a KWL. In the morning, you can have students write what they k now and w onder about the grade they are starting. At the end of the day, have students write what they l earned about their classroom/grade. It’s a also a great way to reinforce rules and expectations!

The First Day of School

This writing activity is straight forward and simply allows students to share how they felt when they woke up in the morning. It’s also a perfect follow up activity to the book First Day Jitters   by Julie Danneberg .  The story has an awesome message about how teachers are nervous on the first day also! I’ve read it every year and it’s perfect for any grade level. I’ve read this story in both first and fifth grade!

All About Me

Although this has been done so many different ways, the All About Me activity is a classic! Letting your students be creative and share some special things about themselves is always a great icebreaker. This activity will never get old!

In addition to the free downloads above, you can purchase my full Back to School Activity set here .  Have a wonderful start to your school year!

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Back to School Writing Prompts for the Secondary Classroom

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

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

Back to school writing prompts about summer break.

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

Back to school writing prompts about last school year.

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

Back to school writing prompts about this school year.

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

Back to school writing prompts about life in general.

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

Back to School Resources for the Secondary Classroom:

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

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

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35 Best First Day of School Ideas and Activities

We are still a month away from the first day of school, but I’ll admit, I’m starting to think about it and beginning to collect ideas. There tends to be a mix of excitement and butterflies in stomachs as the first day of school rolls around each year. Below you’ll find a collection of first day of school activities and ideas.

As a mom, I love finding new first day of school ideas to mark the occasion and prepare at home. As a teacher, I am always looking for creative first day of school activities and lessons that I can use to make the day special for my students.

I have created a list of back to school activities including hands-on activities, art activities, games, reading, math, free printables and much more!

For your classroom or home, choose activities and lessons that are the right fit for you and your children. I hope that the collection of first day of school ideas and activities below give you lots of inspiration as you prepare for your first day.

Educators – If you teach young children and are looking for detailed lesson plans for your first day of school, filled with hands-on activity ideas as well as printables, such as a first day photo sign, class rules, certificate and much more, there is a link to my “ First Day of School Day Plan and Printables” available below activity #35.

For more ideas to get your year started off on the right foot, visit 53 Best Mindfulness Activities for the classroom or home. For more First Day of School activities visit my category page for all Back to School Ideas !

Activities for the Classroom or Home

Many of the activities below can be done at home to prepare for the first day of school or in the classroom with students.

* Click on each image for the full activity description. *

This is my personal favorite activity to do on the first day. This Magic Dough activity gives children the chance to share their hopes for the upcoming year in a fun and almost magical way – sure to be the highlight of the day for many children.

#2 Free School Scavenger Hunt

Start the year by exploring the school and showing children all that it has to offer with this Free School Scavenger Hunt . The clues are simple rhymes and fun for all ages. All you need are the FREE printed clues and you can quickly set them around the school. It is also a great way to take learning beyond the classroom.

This is also a great activity to have ready to go during the year to use on a rainy day, because indoor recesses are no ones favorites.

#3 Creative First Day of School Game

I love using escape room/scavenger hunt type activities in my classroom – it makes learning fun! A classroom escape room can be created for any occasion including the first day.

Make the clues important things or places around the classroom or school. This way children are introduced to their new room in a fun way.

As children solve the clues they unlock a lock until all locks are opened and the prize inside is revealed. For the first day of school, school supplies, certificates or a small treat is a great idea to put in the box.

Or save yourself planning time and print a Classroom Escape Room Game . All you need are the printables and you can set up quickly (with no extra prep).

This is one of my favorite activities to do on the first few days of school with my class. I have done this with older children in intermediate grades and even with younger children in primary grades.

This friendship wheel is a great way for children to work together and get to know each other. It also creates some beautiful pieces of art to display at the beginning of the year.

Spread some kindness on the first day with these pencil toppers! This would work well for teachers to prepare for students, or for your own child to find in their pencil case from you.

If you’ve got a collection of pencils ready for the school year, this STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) challenge is a great, hands-on activity for the first day of school. For more STEM activities, visit 45 STEM Challenge Ideas for Kids .

#7 First Day of School Activities

Write a letter to your child’s new teacher telling a bit about your child. Prepare the letter before starting school, and have your child give it to their new teacher on the first day.

This gives children the opportunity to tell their teacher a little bit about themselves and anything your child really wants their teacher to know. It is also a great way to do a bit of writing before school starts.

#8 Back to School Slime

If your kids love to make slime, this is the perfect back to school activity. If you’ve got a collection of broken crayons around the house or classroom, this is a great way to reuse them. I also love this idea as a small gift for students on their first day.

There are a lot of great books for the first day of school and most first days involved at least a story or two. Take a look through 4 very popular first day of school books for kids and try out a craft to go along with them.

#10 First Day of School BINGO

I can’t wait to try this Back to School Bingo! If you are looking for an exciting hands-on activity to try on the first day of school, a BINGO game with a back to school theme is sure to be a hit!

This would also be a great activity to try at home to have some fun with children starting school. For younger children, discuss each of the pictures on the BINGO board as a way of showing some of the things they may see once they start at school.

#11 First Day of School Ideas

I love this idea! Create a card with your child for their teacher. It is a great way to tell the teacher a little bit about your child, and have some fun making a cute card. Such a sweet gesture!

#12 First Day Activity

These would be a simple way to quickly decorate a classroom with children’s handmade creations. Kids will love seeing their art work displayed in their classroom after the first day.

I love using an apple theme at the beginning of the year. Children are excited about fall and the changing season. This easy apple stained glass art activity would be perfect in a preschool or kindergarten class as a simple sensory art activity.

“The Wheels on the Bus” is a great song for the first day of school. For many children the first day may be their first time on the bus. Make it fun with this adorable bus craft to go along with the song.

This is such a cute idea for teachers! At the beginning of the year, have each child create a birthday card. Before a child’s birthday, choose a card and have everyone sign it.

Each child gets a unique card made by one of their peers and signed by all of their friends! Click the image for lots of ideas for really creative, but simple cards.

#15 First Day of School Ideas for Bulletin Boards

How cute of a bulletin board would these adorable self portrait crafts make? Children can mix and match and get creative while working on their fine motor skills!

This free emergent reader book is great to help prepare children for school at home, or in the classroom to remind children about being kind. These are important lessons, and discussions especially at the start of school.

These books are ideal to read and discuss together at school. They would also be great to send home for children to read and talk about with parents at home.

How cute is this apple craft? Use a few simple materials to create with young children during the first days of school or to celebrate fall. Simple crafts like this are ideal for the first day of school because every child can feel successful when making it.

#18 First Day of School Hats

First day of school hats are a classic first day of school art activity. These printable back to school hats are perfect for teachers, homeschooling parents or just for fun at home.

Add a little bit of math as you prepare your little ones for first day of school with this hands-on apple tree activity. This activity would also work well in a classroom especially when celebrating with a fall theme.

If you are looking to do a bit of practice with young children for their first day of school, this ABC game would be a great choice. Whether you are looking for a fun, hands-on way to practice letter recognition at home, or a fun center in the classroom on the first day, this game is sure to be a hit!

#21 First Day of School Activities – I Spy

This I Spy activity is a fun back to school activity that kids of all ages will enjoy. I Spy games also involve lots of learning!

My daughter would love this! These would look beautiful in a classroom to fit a fun theme. Creating a fun pencil holder for children to keep some writing and coloring materials at home would be a great way to get ready for the first day of school.

This printable booklet gives kids the opportunity to record their experiences from the first day of school and first week in their new grade. The booklet is designed with young children in mind because it is simple and gives kids lots of room to draw.

#24 Back to School

Don’t forget about math on your first day of school. These crack the code worksheets are all school themed and fun!

With many people learning online, this First Day of School Laptop craft is an adorable way to mark the beginning of school.

Have some fun reviewing numbers on the first few days of school, or at home to practice, with this hands-on number matching activity. Simple centers and hands-on activities to reintroduce important skills are ideal to do when school starts.

For more math worksheets visit my collection of 39 Math worksheets for Kindergarten and preschool.

#27 First Day of School Song

Music is a great way to make children feel welcome and a fun way to discuss some of the great things that can happen this year. These printables and songs would be a wonderful addition to any classroom.

#28 Back to School Name Tags

If you are looking for a fun, inexpensive, and easy way to make name tags for your child or classroom, these vibrant back to school name tags are a great choice!

My kids would love to come home to this special apple cupcake for the first day of school. They would also love creating it on their own to enjoy. I love the idea of themed food and treats!

First Day of School All About Me Printables

Doing a bit of printing and writing is important to start right away in the classroom. Try to keep it simple, but meaningful. All About Me posters and pages are ideal to start the year with because any child can be successful because they know all of the answers – because they are about themselves!

I created this All About Me package that I use at home, and in my classroom each year. Children fill out the sheets with their answers about themselves and the pages also include recording height, hand and foot size and much more.

This activity works really well as a time capsule activity where all of the pages are put inside a container and sealed up. I usually return it to children on the last day of school to reminisce and create memories.

At home, we have a few of these ‘capsules’ sealed up for my kids to open years down the road.

Create a lapbook of memories with this printable activity. This would be great for children in the primary grades and it creates a beautiful foldable mini book all about each child.

Get children doing a bit of writing, either at home to review for school, or in the classroom on the first few days. These All About Me booklets are a great and easy, way to record special things about your child. This is also a great way for older children to write about themselves.

#33 School Ideas

This compact, foldable mini All About Me booklet is an easy way to get children to record lots of information about themselves as they start their new grade. This is a great first day of school activity or even to continue throughout the first few weeks.

These All About Me posters are designed with young children in mind. Give kids the chance to print some of their answers and be creative with their coloring.

If your kids love creating with building blocks, this All About Me page will keep them engaged and happy to write.

This All About Me page integrates math and learning as it requires children to measure as they record all about them.

As you prepare for back to school, another area you’ll want to think about is literacy and books. Booksandgiggles.com has created a great list of Best Read Aloud Books , perfect to help get you started.

Back to School Products

Make back to school easy with these classroom supplies and first day items. Some of the materials below are for activities shows above, and others are ones that you may need as you prepare for your first day.

For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

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First day of school printables + day plan.

I remember my very first day of school as a teacher and looking for any activities and ideas that I could use. I finally have a first day of school plan that I love and has worked well with my groups over the years.

Of course, each year is different, but my first day of school day plan and activity pages below have been tested in my primary classroom.

The product includes a very detailed lesson plan with everything I make sure to reinforce, teach and do on the first day. A collection of printables for activities and exciting, unique hands-on activities to keep children engaged and make the day memorable are included.

FREE First Day of School All About Me Printable

To get you started on your first day of school, you can download a FREE All About Me page for children to fill out. Printable is available in black and white and color.

When you subscribe you will gain access to Hands-On Teaching Ideas Free Resource Library, filled with a variety of free printable learning resources. You will also receive emails with my latest blog posts and freebies! Click image below to subscribe and gain access.

Preparing for Back to School – Printables

Being prepared for the first day of school is one of the best ways to keep from being nervous and helping to make sure that your first day goes smoothly. Below are a collection of printable products ideal for preparing for the first day of school.

Click the image for more information.

More Hands-On Teaching Ideas

If you are looking for more hands-on learning activities, below are a collection of some of my favorite, and most popular activities and ideas from my classroom.

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• Writing Prompts

150 Writing Prompts For Middle School (+Free Printable)

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

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

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

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

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

150 Writing Prompts For Middle School Students

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

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

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

Printable Writing Pack for Middle Schoolers

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

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

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Creative Writing - famous first lines!

Subject: English

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Lesson (complete)

Last updated

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This is a unique mix of creative writing and language analysis.

This is a really fun class, enabling students to explore both their creative and analytical sides. It can be a great confidence boost for students who struggle with creative writing because there are clear prompts and short bursts of writing.

This is suitable for upper KS2, KS3 and KS4 and includes mix and match game, PETAL paragraph, pair and share tasks and creative writing prompts.

In the class, we examine some famous first lines and use them as a creative writing prompt. Do these opening lines of famous novels make us want to read on - or are they boring? Do they reveal something of the story that is coming?

The lesson is structured as follows:

a) Introduction to idea of first lines - why are they important? Pick a few books at random from classroom shelf – what do those opening lines suggest?

b) Mix and match – famous first lines. Brief game matching 4 famous first lines with their covers. Which book would you be most likely to read (i) based on the line? (ii) based on the cover?

c) Opening line of ‘Rebecca’. Pair and Share – what is going on? Then students get the opportunity to ‘copy and complete’. Can they write for 3/5/7 minutes and add to the first line creating their own version of ‘Rebecca’? Students are invited to share their creative writing.

d) The actual opening paragraph of ‘Rebecca’ is presented – what does this show us? Encourage language analysis to spot the signs of decay, etc. Did the first line hint at this?

e) The processes of © and (d) are then repeated twice using two other famous books. (Teachers can use all three in one lesson, or choose according to group/ability/age etc) Students are encouraged to be as creative as possible in the writing elements of the task, and as analytical as possible when they are looking at the original texts.

f) As a class, consider all the things that seem good or bad in an opening line. What makes you want to read on? Can you create a super list of things which work in an opening line?

g) There is an additional optional activity which can be used for extension/homework - Which opening line do you prefer and why? Write a PETAL paragraph explaining your answer. (Some scaffolding is provided)

This is a fun class, which prompts student to think more about the stories they read and the stories they write!

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Exciting, engaging ideas to end the school year

A s the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end for many districts around the US and Canada, we wanted to remind you of some fun and engaging activities to keep your students motivated to get you through the final countdown!

Whether you have used Book Creator throughout the entire year, or you’re just beginning your Book Creator journey, have no fear, as the activities that I’m about to share with you are infused with creativity to keep your students engaged in independent learning as you wrap up the final days before summer vacation.

See also: End of Year best practices for Teachers and Admins

Activity Journals

Our May Activity Journal is out now - the latest instalment of our monthly activity books that not only teach students about some amazing national holidays, but also allows students to use the accessibility features and creative tools that make Book Creator a go-to educational resource.

There are hundreds of activities in these books - so even if you've missed the previous ones, you could still go back and remix them! Here's the full library - take what you need and give your students some engaging, independent activities to try out throughout the rest of the year and into summer. Also, be sure to be on the lookout each month, as we will be sharing them throughout the rest of the calendar year!

Don't forget you can also translate these into multiple languages now too!

Yearbooks are popular this time of year, but sure are an expensive industry!  If you'd prefer to go with an excellent (and free!) hack then use Book Creator to create a digital yearbook instead.

What makes a Book Creator yearbook even more special is that it can be collaborative so that each student, or even class, is able to add in their own information and pages that can then be shared out with family and friends with one quick published link! Check out these yearbook examples for some more ideas.

Summer Reading Journal

We are so excited to offer an independent reading journal for students this summer. As you'll know, keeping students engaged in reading and writing, even once per week over the summer months, drastically decreases the amount of “summer slide,” or learning loss, that takes place.

Research conducted by Harvard professor Jimmy Kim shows that, "Similar to prior research on summer learning… I found that the volume of summer book reading was positively related to Fall reading achievement independent of prior reading and writing skills and student background characteristics…. The benefits of reading books during summer vacation were also consistent for all ethnic groups. In particular, reading four to five books had significantly larger effects than reading three or fewer books." ( 2004 )

What does this mean? The more you read over the summer, the better your reading achievement will be in the Fall. Furthermore, this statistic is true across all ethnic groups and socio-economic statuses.

Read more: Jump, slide & dive into an adventure this summer with Book Creator!

Another popular end-of-year project is the school year reflection. Have students reflect on the past year. What was successful? What wasn’t? What was their favorite subject and why? Make sure they make use of audio and video for reflection as well as just text. Below are a couple of examples of ways to have your students reflect on the past year, and the year to come (these are remixable templates).

Goals for next year

As the year is winding down and students are reflecting on their learning and growth throughout the year, it is important to leave “legacies” or things for future students to know about their classroom, teacher, or grade. Using Book Creator, students can write letters to future students or even write a letter to their future self .

They can even create digital portfolios of the awesome projects and learning experiences that helped make their year so great! Using an editable template, such as this one , can help kickstart this awesome end-of-year project!

Do you have everything you need?

There’s never a dull moment this time of year, and at Book Creator, we want to make sure that you have everything you need to end the school year with students more motivated and engaged than ever before.

Check out this end-of-the-year library for more ideas that will spark enjoyment in your students! Thank you for all you do each and every day for students and as always, happy bookmaking!

Let us know in the comments what projects you do in Book Creator at this time of year.

Randi Ahrndt is Book Creator’s Head of Literacy Learning. With over 15 years experience in education as a Principal, Literacy Coach and Elementary Teacher, Randi brings a unique perspective to our team. She is a wife and boy mom x3, who loves reading, tacos and travel.

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Fun Last-Day-of-School Activities to Wrap Up the Year

Hooray, you’ve made it to the end of the school year! With all testing and grading out of the way, it’s time to think about planning some fun last-day-of-school activities. The final days of school are a time to reflect on the year’s accomplishments, celebrate, and say goodbyes. Make your last day together extra special with one of these fun activities that are sure to send your students off to summer vacation with a smile on their faces.

Fun Last-Day-of-School Activities to Kick off Summer Break

Here are some engaging last-day-of-school activities you can consider adding to your repertoire.

Write letters to next year’s students

Are you looking for a last-day-of-school activity that will engage students in a productive writing task and meaningful reflections? Try having them write a letter to next year’s class! In these letters, current students can share their memories from the past year, give a sneak peek of what next year’s class will learn, and give them advice for the school year ahead. Your students will love being able to share their thoughts and advice from their own experiences in your class.

Words of Wisdom – Letters to Future Students by Life with Mrs Wasik Grades: 1-6

End of Year Activity – Letter to A Future Student – End of Year Writing Project by The Creative Classroom Grades 5-9

Create a memory book

End-of-year memory books are a great activity for students of all ages to reflect on their progress and memories from the past school year. Plus, they make for a great keepsake to take home on the last day of school. Check out one of these fun, no-prep memory book activities to get you started. 

End of the Year Memory Book {Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade } by Haley O’Connor Grades: K-2

End of the Year Memory Book {Not Grade Specific} by Michael Friermood – The Thinker Builder Grades: 2-6

END OF YEAR ESL Memory Book Activities PRINT and EASEL by Diana Bailey Grades: 5-8

End of the Year Writing Activities and Memory Book EDITABLE Distance Learning by Tracee Orman Grades: 7-12

Set goals for the summer

With summer vacation (literally) right around the corner, you can use the final day of school to get students thinking about some of the goals and activities they’d like to accomplish this summer.

Summer Bucket List: Last Day of School & End of the Year Fun Activity by Enhance SEL Grades: 1-8

Summer Bucket List End of the Year Activities by The Scholar’s Source Grade: 3-11

End of School Year Reflection Pages and Goal Setting for Summer and Next Year by Success in Special Ed Grades: 7-10

When the tests are all taken, and the assignments all handed in, it’s time to get crafty! These end-of-school year craftivities are a great way to engage students and to sneak a little more writing and fine motor skill practice into the last day of the year.

End of the Year Sunglasses Bulletin Board Craft and Writing Activity | Last Day by Sweet for Kindergarten- Kristina Harrill Grades: PreK-5

Last Day of School Activities | Last Day of School Crown Craft | End of Year by Second Grade Smiles Grades: K-3

Activities for the Last Week of School

Need activities to cover the entire last week of school? We’ve got you covered. To make your life a little easier as the school year comes to a close, check out these low-prep activities to help you get through the last week!

Last Week of School Activities for Second Grade (2nd) by Cara’s Creative Playground Grades: 2

End of The Year Activities – Last Week of School Resource by Addie Williams Grades: 6-8

End of the Year Activities – Last Week of School Fun for Middle and High School by Cara McLeod Grades: 5-10

End of the Year Activities for Seniors High School Playlist Last Week of School by The Supported Teacher Grades: 11-12

Other Ideas for End of the Year

For more ways to end the school year on a high note, browse end-of-year resources on TPT or check out these posts for more ideas:

• End-of-Year Review Activities for Elementary and High School Students
• Celebrating Student Success: End of the Year Awards for Students
• Escape Room Ideas and Templates for Every Classroom

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Celebrating Health Profession Students' Poetry, Prose, and Visual Arts

Program for Humanities in Medicine 2024 Health Professions Creative Writing and Art Contest Awards Ceremony

Lenique Huggins - First place in Art category

Created by MD student Hang Nguyen. Second place in Art category

WInston Trope - Honorable Mention in Art category

Zeynep Inanoglu - Honorable Mention in Art category

2024 PHM Health Professions Creative Writing and Art Contest Award Ceremony - Student Winners

Winning artwork

Black Motherhood in Medicine

Created by MD student Lenique Huggins. First place in Art category

These Small Things

These are the titles of the poetry, prose, and visual artworks that received first-place in the annual Yale School of Medicine (YSM) Program for Humanities in Medicine (PHM) Health Professions Students' Creative Writing & Art Contest. On May 2, the student winners were celebrated at a gathering where they shared and often provided context for their creations. A supportive and appreciative audience applauded enthusiastically after each presentation.

Professor and PHM Director Anna Reisman, MD, welcomed everyone to the celebration, sharing that the contest began more than two decades ago. It originally was a poetry and prose contest just for medical students; the family of Marguerite Rush Lerner, MD, established and endowed the contest to honor her. Lerner was a dermatologist at YSM, as well as a children’s book author. (Lerner’s husband, Aaron Lerner, MD, PhD, was the first chair of Yale’s Department of Dermatology, and two of their four sons, Ethan Lerner, MD, PhD ‘82 and Michael Lerner, MD ’81, attended YSM.) Reisman explained that several years ago the contest expanded to include visual arts, and also students from across the health profession schools and programs—MD, MD-PhD, Physician Associate, Physician Assistant Online, Nursing, and Public Health.

This year, almost 100 students participated in the contest. MD student winners receive the Marguerite Rush-Lerner prize; the other Yale health professions students receive the Program for Humanities in Medicine prize. See the list of winners under "Related Links."

While second-year MD student Lenique Huggins had been thinking about creating Black Motherhood in Medicine for a few months, it only took two evenings to do so, once she began.

She explains that the inspiration for the piece started in her first week of medical school, when she learned that the maternal mortality rate for Black mothers is 2.6 more than non-Hispanic white mothers. “As a young Black woman, this statistic especially pained me and my close friends.” Additionally, she says that in classes throughout the year, she was part of formal and informal discussions about being a mother in medicine. “I heard from classmates across racial backgrounds about their real fears of balancing pregnancy with their medical training and pregnancy complications among medical professionals.” That led her to begin to think about “my intersection as a future Black mother in medicine and the challenges I may face because of these identities. Now, as a second-year student, I created a piece that captures something I have thought much about these past two years.”

Huggins grew up in a Caribbean household close to art and culture from all over the world. “I’ve always been surrounded by music, dance, storytelling, and visual art, and my family hosted international students throughout my childhood. I started playing the piano at age three, and have been singing, dancing, and doodling for as long as I can remember.” However, it was not until she was an undergraduate at Duke University and participated in community service that she “began to understand the therapeutic value of art.”

Through her involvement in different programs at that time, including Families Moving Forward, a shelter for families without homes, and Reflections, a weekly art program for adults with dementia at Duke Nasher Museum, Huggins says, “I saw how encouraging self-expression could bring peace during uncertain times, reduce stress, and empower communities. When I went through a rough time in my sophomore year, I found myself using painting for a lot of healing.”

Huggins continues, “I will continue practicing art. It’s a self-care practice that helps me combat burnout and show up better for patients who need me.”

Class of 2025 MD student Hang Nguyen started painting at age 11, when her family immigrated to America from Vietnam. She explains, “I did not speak English at the time, so art was a vessel through which I could communicate my tumultuous adolescent mind.”

Currently, she paints often and says her favorite subject is “surreal, tranquil, and, occasionally, liminal landscapes, such as a classroom at midnight, an overgrown, abandoned church, and a long corridor that leads nowhere. For me, these landscapes represent a longing for a space that exists tranquilly, where one can be one's true self.”

Nguyen painted Submerged specifically for this contest; “In other words, this contest inspired me to look inward and reflect on — instead of simply overcome and move forward from — the challenges that I have encountered in medical school.” Through the work she wanted “to convey the various feelings that I experienced while studying for board exams using motifs that are near and dear to me like water and fish in a surreal, tranquil, and liminal ambience.” She painted it during time dedicated to Step 1, over the course of a week, working on it for an hour to two at night.

Hunger , On Chinese Medicine , and On the First Day of Anatomy Lab

First-year Physician Associate (PA) student Kelly Dunn was honored with three prizes: A tie for first place in prose for Hunger , a tie for second place in poetry for On Chinese Medicine , and honorable mention in prose for On the First Day of Anatomy Lab , each of which she shared with the audience. While Dunn, who “always considered the humanities to be a part of my life,” has been an avid reader and artist for as long as she can remember, she did not start writing until the COVID-19 pandemic. She says she mostly wrote nonfiction, and only semi-frequently, “whenever something momentous transpired, or I suddenly felt called to it,” explaining, “so much of my love and appreciation for writing comes from the fact that it’s a medium to better articulate an experience through. Having something so fresh and felt so acutely is a wonderful impetus to begin writing.”

The contest was one of Dunn’s first times writing poetry, “I’ve always been intimidated by it. Learning the different poetic forms and metric lines, as well as how to be economical with my words, seems like something I’ll never be able to achieve.” She continued, “I’m grateful for this contest for giving me an opportunity to try”

For Dunn, writing in PA school has been “incredibly helpful processing all that has happened. Every day I vacillate between feelings of immense wonder, humility, and gratitude— and these words in themselves don’t even do the moments I’ve witnessed justice.”

Acknowledgements

Reisman thanked PHM Manager Karen Kolb for her work coordinating the contest, and the 16 YSM faculty and staff members who served as judges:

Aba Black, MD, MHS, Anne Merritt, MD, MS, Terry Dagradi, Sarah Cross, MD, Lorence Gutterman, MD, Melissa Grafe, PhD, Randi Hutter-Epstein, MD, MPH, Kenneth Morford, MD, Sharon Ostfeld-Johns, MD, Vincent Quagliarello, MD, Lisa Sanders, MD, Nora Segar, MD, Elizabeth Marhoffer, MD, Rita Rienzo MMSC, PA-C, Sharon Chekijian, MD, PhH, and Cynthia McNamara, MD.

Featured in this article

• Aba Black, MD, MHS
• Sharon Anoush Chekijian, MD, MPH
• Sarah Cross, MD
• Terry Dagradi
• Randi Epstein
• Melissa Grafe, PhD
• Lorence Gutterman, MD
• Lenique Huggins
• Karen P Kolb
• Elizabeth Marhoffer, MD
• Cynthia Frary McNamara, MD, FACP
• Anne Merritt, MD, MS
• Kenneth Morford, MD, FASAM
• Hang Nguyen
• Sharon Ostfeld-Johns, MD, IBCLC
• Vincent Quagliarello, MD
• Anna Reisman, MD
• Rita Rienzo, MMSc, PA-C
• Lisa Sanders, MD, FACP
• Nora Segar, MD

Related Links

• Contest winners
• 4 YSN Students Earn Prizes at Health Professions Creative Writing and Art Contest
• On Chinese Medicine
• On the First Day of Anatomy Lab