Narrative Writing Activities and Prompts

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (K-2 suggested grade level)

Share this book with the students. As a group make lists of words that:

• could be used to describe the caterpillar
• different types of animals or insects
• ways that animals or insects change

Have the students make a selection from each list and draw or write about what the character does and how it changes.
This idea comes from the The Writing Fix web site.

Famous Americans - Social Studies integration idea (K-5 suggested grade level)

After brainstorming a list of famous Americans, choose one and write a journal page pretending to be that person. This entry should be based on fact. Don't forget to include specific details about his or her life and experiences, as well as his or her personal feelings.

Weather Words - Science Integration Idea (3-5 suggested grade level)

In a group or as individuals, ask your students to write a story using as many of the following words as possible: rain, weather, lightening, hail, thunderstorm, erosion, hurricane, snow, tornado, precipitation, air pressure.

Contemporary Cinderella (3-5 suggested grade level)

A great way to increase student reading fluency and inspire their writing is by using this script from the Reader’s Theatre ! In this idea, use the free online script for “The Other Cinderella Story” which highlights the story from the step mother and step sister’s points of view. As a follow-up to the Reader’s Theater experience, invite your students, in Cinderella’s voice, to rebut the stepmother and stepsisters' charges.
This idea comes from the Education World web site.

A Great Day (3-5 suggested grade level)

Some days are really fun or exciting. A great day can happen anywhere or anytime. Think about a great day you have experienced or one that you wish you could have experienced. Think and write about what happened that made it a great day.

Invisible (3-8 suggested grade level)

Imagine that you wake up one morning and discover you are invisible. Write a story about your adventure.

The Terribly Wrong Birthday (6-12 suggested grade level)

Use the inspiration your students find in their own reading. Have the students select a character from their favorite book and write a new chapter for the book about the character’s birthday and how it goes terribly wrong.

 

 

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