Writing daily is the key to building students’ confidence and growing their writing skills. Yet, many students struggle to generate ideas or lack enthusiasm for writing. Utilizing writing prompts can help support reluctant writers and ignite their creativity. With built-in support and teacher feedback, these free writing prompts will help reach all young writers. Check out these 6 free writing prompts with books that pair perfectly making each one a complete lesson! They are perfect for your writing block, workshop, or substitute teaching plans.
Party Planning
The first writing prompt included in the free writing prompt resource is about planning a party! Your students will LOVE deciding who to invite, where to have the party, and what food will be served. These prompts are so perfect for young writers because they include ideas to get started with writing!
The book “If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon” by Joyce Lapin is a great choice to pair with this writing prompt. It will encourage some creative thinking plus students will learn facts about space. The illustrations are “out of this world”!
Weather
One of the prompts is about your favorite type of weather. Students write reasons to support their answers. The book “A Wonderful World of Weather” by Kay Barnham works great with this writing prompt. It discusses how weather works and affects people’s lives.
Watch on YouTube: Wonderful World of Weather
School Supplies
I think this one is my favorite! It’s all about your favorite school supplies. It pairs well with the book “Beach Toys versus School Supplies” by Mike Ciccotello. This makes a perfect read aloud for the beginning of the school year.
Watch on YouTube: Beach Toys Vs. School Supplies
Spelling Bee
Have your students ever been in a spelling be? Would they like to be? This prompt is about how they would feel if they were in a spelling be. I love how it includes a word bank of emotions to choose from.
The book Stacey’s Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams is about the emotions related to competing in a spelling bee. This book has a fantastic message about not giving up when approached with a challenge!
Favorite Restaurant
Who doesn’t love going out to eat? In this next writing prompt, students will share all about their favorite restaurant! Froggy Eats Out is about a fan-favorite character and his experience eating at a fancy restaurant!
Watch on YouTube: Froggy Eats Out
City or Farm
Did I mention these *FREE* writing prompts are also available in a digital option on Google Slides? Students will LOVE answering the prompts using a device. The checkmarks are movable. All of the text boxes are simple to “click” and type. Plus, it includes a teacher feedback box (just like the printable!) so you can add your notes directly on the page.
I love reading the book “Town Mouse, Country Mouse” by Jan Brett to go with this writing prompt. It’s a classic tale and Jan Brett is one of the best children’s authors!
Tips for Use
Keeping prepped materials on hand and ready to use is always a great idea! These prompts and read alouds are perfect for a substitute teacher or when technology isn’t working right. Some days, you need something simple to incorporate into your lesson plans and these writing prompts and books make a great option!
- Don’t have one of the books? Check your school library or YouTube!
- Copy a class set of each writing prompt so you have them ready when needed!
- Looking for more prompts like these? Learn more about the yearlong bundle.
Overall, using writing prompts is a great way to help students express themselves and practice their creative writing skills. With helpful tools like picture word banks and sentence starters, students will feel supported to do their best in writing. Need more writing ideas? Click here to read blog posts like this!
By providing writing prompts, you allow them to explore ideas, thoughts, and emotions on paper. These writing prompts are engaging and kid-friendly with a wide variety of options. So what are you waiting for? Download the 6 free writing prompts and get started today!
