Narrative Prompt 8

Narrative Prompt 8

Americans often enjoy parades.

Before you begin writing, think or imagine a time you watched or participated in a parade.

Now tell a story about your experience with a parade.

Brainstorming:
In the parade: fell off the float, hit the float in front of you, lost control of your horse, tangled up in Christmas lights, etc…

Watching parade: clown car ran into you, someone threw candy in your hair, saw Santa’s beard fall off, bikers wrecked in front of you, horse went on your foot, cheerleaders pyramid fell on you, dancers grabbed you and made you dance with them, etc…

Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Expository Prompt 8

Expository Prompt 8

It is great to do a job to earn extra money.

Before you begin writing, think about a job you would like to do for pay.

Now explain to the reader what job you could do to earn money.

Brainstorming: rake leaves, wash windows, babysit pets, carwash, clean floors, organize closets, sweep rooftops, mow lawns, paint, hotdog stand, babysit, clean houses, clean pools, sweep driveways, party planning, etc…
Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Narrative Prompt 7

Narrative Prompt 7

Playing outdoors can be fun.

Before you begin writing, think about a time you played outside.

Now write a story about a time you played something outdoors.

Brainstorming: playground, hide and seek, tag, football, sledding, ice hockey, mountain climbing, bounce house, go-cart, fishing, bike trail, roller skating, beach sand, surfing, water rafting, cave exploring, knee boarding, swimming pool, water park, piñata, etc…
Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Expository Prompt 7

Expository Prompt 7

We all have things we are good at doing.

Before you begin writing, think about something you do well.

Now write to explain something you do well.

Brainstorming: art, skateboarding, dancing, singing, baseball, swimming, gymnastics, fishing, biking, camping, decorating, gardening, teaching, bowling, arcade games, sewing, racing, acting, jump rope, technology, etc.

Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Narrative Prompt 6

Narrative Prompt 6

It is exciting to do a project.

Before you begin writing, think about a time you did a project.

Now tell a story about a time you did a project.

Brainstorming: art project, clean the Earth project, science project, community project, church project, cooking project, music project, Christmas project, afterschool project, house project (painting, redecorating), etc…

Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Expository Prompt 6

Expository Prompt 6

There are many types of schools.

Before you begin writing, think about what type of school you like best.

Now explain to the reader, what type of school you think is best.

Brainstorming: one-room schoolhouse, private school, public school, outdoor school, boarding school, military school, art school, dance school, boys school, girls school, ski school, music school, home-school, culinary school, technology school, Christian school, Catholic school, exploration learning school, Montessori school, charter school, etc…

Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Narrative Prompt 5

Narrative Prompt 5

We have all made things.

Before you begin writing, think or imagine a time you made something.

Now tell a story about a time you made something.

Brainstorming:
Where you were: / What you made:
woods / tree fort
a theatre / stage scene
beach / sandcastle
Grandma’s / apple pie
camp / bow and arrow
race track / race-cart
studio / designer outfit

Visit http://www.writebrightstation.com/ for more lessons & ideas.

Expository Prompt 5

Expository Prompt 5

There are many things in life that make us happy.

Before you begin writing, think about what makes you happy.

Now explain what makes you happy.

Brainstorming:
baseball, spending time with Grandpa, playing, deep sea fishing, going to the mall, skateboarding, going to the beach, cruise, gymnastics, Christmas morning, spending the night with a friend, camping…

Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Narrative Prompt 4

Narrative Prompt 4

We all enjoy spending time outside.

Before you begin writing, think about a day you spent outside.

Now write to tell about a day you spent outside.

Brainstorming:
amusement park, beach, park, playground, tennis, swimming, field day, biking, picnic, boating, fishing, carnival, horseback riding, hiking, cave exploring, skiing, dirt-bike riding, golf…

Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Expository Prompt 4

Expository Prompt 4

Everyone has different ways to relax.

Before you begin writing, think about what you like to do to relax.

Now explain to the reader of your paper, what you like to do to relax.

Brainstorming:
go to the beach, spend the day shopping, play football, swim, take a walk, take a vacation, spend time with friends, play, go to the spa, go out on a boat, hike through the mountains, visit the bookstore…

Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Narrative Prompt 3

Narrative Prompt 3

We all have days that we wish we had never gotten out of bed.

Before you begin writing, think about a day you wish you had stayed in bed.

Now write to tell a story about a day you wish you had stayed in bed.

Brainstorming:

The day I…let the dog out and he ran away, forgot to take my lunch to school, fell off a horse and broke my arm, left my bike behind mom’s car, ate bad fish, left the sink on in the bathroom, lost my gold bracelet at the mall, kicked a ball through the television…

Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Expository Prompt 3

Expository Prompt 3

It is important to use your five senses.

Before you begin writing, think about which sense is most important to you.

Now write to explain which of your five senses is most important to you and why.

Brainstorming:
Seeing- puppies, clouds, snow, rainbows, movies, to drive, to make a cake
Smelling – fire, brownies, perfume, garlic toast, flowers, rain
Hearing- waterfalls, birds, phone calls, music, conversations
Touching- bunnies, toys, bike, picking flowers, style hair
Tasting- pizza, ice cream, candy, soda, water

Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Narrative Prompt 2

Narrative Prompt 2

It is exciting to get mail.

Before you begin writing, think or imagine a time something was delivered to you through the mail.

Tell a story about a time you received something in the mail.

Brainstorming: x-ray glasses, sample of bubble bath, remote control car, cell phone, DVD, Grandma’s cookies, invitation, modeling agency acceptance, model plane, keys to unlock chest, gift card, walkie-talkies…

Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Expository Prompt 2

Expository Prompt 2

There are many types of houses.

Before you begin writing, think about what type of house you like.

Now write to explain what type of house you think is great.

Brainstorming: igloo, two-story house, apartment, log cabin, cottage, trailer, chalet, boat house, hut, mansion, castle, dome home, flat, penthouse

Visit http://www.writebrightstation.com/ for more lessons & ideas.

Narrative Prompt

Raise test scores by helping students learn to think “outside the box”. It is easy to be creative when kids understand they don’t have to write about what actually happens, but rather what they can pretend happens!

Prompt:
It can feel good to give gifts to others.

Before you begin writing, think about a time you gave a gift to someone.

Now tell a story about a time you gave a gift to someone.

Brainstorming: bike, telescope, gift card, cruise, concert tickets, tree house, trampoline, sky diving tickets, makeover, bedroom furniture, puppy, surfboard…
Visit www.writebrightstation.com for more lessons & ideas.

Expository Prompt

There are many ways to stay cool when temperatures are hot outside.
Before you begin writing, think about ways you can stay cool on a hot day.
Now write an essay to inform the reader how you can stay cool on a hot day.

Brainstorming:
Play in the sprinkler, Swim in a lake, pool, or ocean, Go to the beach, Shop at the mall, Water park, Water balloons, Play inside, Go see a movie, Go for ice cream, Rent a blow-up water slide, Make snow cones, Lemonade stand.

Back To School Writing

Kids walk into class on the first day & are often asked to write about their summer. This can be intimidating for many students. Help them out by spending time brainstorming. Tell students that if they did not do anything exciting, they can make it up. Some examples:
water park, Disney, scuba diving, rode a horse, mountains, cruise, jet ski, dirt biking, shopping, Chuckie Cheese, and so on.
Help students turn their writing into a fun & exciting experience.

Many students love summer break.

Before you begin writing, think about what you did over summer break.

Now write to explain what you enjoyed about summer break.

In order to avoid making some students nervous about this task, give directions telling students how long you want the writing to be: one paragraph or a 5 paragraph essay. In either case, it is best if you model first to show students what you expect. Make the first writing prompt an unstressful event for students!