August Writing Prompts

1st Grade
August 1st is Sports Day. Describe your favorite sport or a sport that you would like to learn how to play. August 11th is National Play in the Sand Day. Describe what your ideal sandcastle would look like. Don't forget to include a sketch. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you like to travel and why? The month of August can get really hot. Write about some things that you would want to do in the hot weather to stay cool. Imagine that you could create the perfect lunch. Write about the foods that you would have at your perfect lunch party.

2nd Grade
Welcome back to school! Describe your favorite summer holiday. What did you do? August 2nd is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. Share what your favorite dessert is and give three reasons why you like that particular dessert. August 3rd is National Watermelon Day. Watermelon is a popular summer food. Describe your favorite summer food and why you like this particular food. On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail to discover the New World. Write about a time when you explored a new place. How did you feel? Would you rather live in a sandcastle, an igloo, or a tree house? Explain which type of house you would like to live in and why.

3rd Grade
August 3rd is National Chocolate Chip Day. Explain how to make your favorite type of cookie. On August 12, 1981, IBM announced their new PC. How do you think computers have possibly helped our lives? How do you think computers have possibly harmed our lives? Mother Teresa was born on August 27, 1910. Mother Teresa dedicated her life to helping others. List five (5) things you can do to help others today or this week. On August 29, 1934, the first Scout camp opened. Have you ever been to a camp? If so, describe your experience. If not, what camp would you like to attend? Imagine that you could visit the mountains, desert, ocean, an island, or the artic. Which place would you want to go on a vacation?

4th Grade
The Internet has lots of great websites. If you could create your own website, what would it be about, what would it be called, and how would you use it to help others? On August 5, 1930, astronaut Neil Armstrong was born. If you could travel to outer space, where would you like to travel to and why? Describe your favorite trip to the ocean. If you have not been to the ocean, explain why you would or would not like to go to the ocean. August 12th is National Aviation Day. The way we travel has dramatically changed over the years. Think about all the different ways we can fly: airplane, rocket, hot air balloon, etc. and then select one. In at least one paragraph, explain why this particular mode of flying is the best. There are so many jobs in the world. Choose one or two different jobs that you would love to do. Explain why you would want these jobs.

5th Grade
August is National Inventors Month. Think of a new invention you would like to create and explain your creation. Dont forget to include how your invention will be used. On August 4, 1901, musician Louis Armstrong was born. Armstrong was an amazing jazz trumpeter. If you could play any instrument, which would it be and why? If you already play an instrument, why did you select that instrument? Herbert Clark Hoover, the 31st President of the United States was born on August 10, 1874. Would you like to be President of the United States? Why or why not? On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech. Martin Luther King, Jr.s dream was for all people, no matter what their skin color, to be treated equal. What is your dream? On August 31, 1870, a famous educator by the name of Maria Montessori was born. What is something new you would like to learn about this school year?

6th Grade
August is National Eye Exam Month. We often take our eye sight for granted. Sit for one minute with your eyes closed - maybe in the classroom, outside, in the hallway, any location - and notice what it's like to not "see" anything. How was this similar or different to sitting in this same location with your eyes open? On August 2, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. If you were able to create a Declaration of Independence for your classroom, describe, in detail, one of the rights you would give the members of the classroom. On August 19, 1946, Bill Clinton, our 42nd President, was born. What do you think would be the most challenging part of being President of the United States? On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment Womens Equality was signed. Why do you think it was important for women to be able to vote? The President is handing out awards for being a good citizen. Write about some things you do to be a good citizen and why you deserve the awards.

Owen (2010)

September Writing Prompts

2nd Grade
Autumn begins today. What is your favorite season? Explain why you enjoy that particular season. Today is Good Neighbor Day. Make a list of everything you can do to be a good neighbor for those who live around you. Some kids may not be able to buy a backpack. Write about some things that you would put in a backpack to give to a kid in need. There are many different types of weather. List some different types of weather and write about your favorite weather conditions. Imagine that you are going on a trip to the moon and can only bring three things. List three things you would take to the moon and why you would bring these things.

3rd Grade
Labor Day is the first Monday in September. Write about three jobs that you think are really amazing. On September 2, 1987, Philips, an electronics company, announced they would be launching a CDvideo that would combine HD video with digital sound. What is your favorite DVD and why? September 5th is National Cheese Pizza Day. What is your favorite type of pizza? Explain to someone how they would make your favorite type of pizza. Your family works very hard to give you a house to live in, clothes to wear and food to eat. Write about how you could show them you are thankful for what they do. Think about all the different things you can do on a computer. What is your favorite thing to do on the computer?

4th Grade
On the first Monday of each September, we celebrate Labor Day. This holiday was first celebrated in 1882, in honor of American workers and their achievements. List all of the different community jobs in your town and then select the one you feel is most important. Explain why you choose that particular job. "National Dog Week" is the 4th week of September. There is a saying that a dog is "man's best friend." How do you think this saying came to be and does it hold any truth? There are many ways to earn money. Write about something that you could do to make money. What would you do with the money that you made? Imagine that you are in a talent show and get to show off something you are good at. Write about what you would do for the talent show. There are many books that have been turned into movies. Write about which book you would like to see as a movie.

5th Grade
September is "National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Do you have your own library card? (If you dont, you should visit with your parents about getting a card.) Why do you think the public libraries are so important to our communities? Every person is a part of their community. Write about some ways that you keep your community clean. What are some places that you go in your community? Imagine that you could trade places with one other person for a day. Write about who you would want to trade places with. On September 22, 1789, the United States Post Office opened. In recent years, many people have begun to use email. Do you think there will ever be a time in the future that the only items actually mailed by the Post Office are packages? And all letters and magazines will be sent via email? In September 1938, a sevenfoot time capsule was buried on the grounds of the Worlds Fair in New York City. A number of everyday items were placed in the capsule with the directions to be opened in five thousand years. If your teacher asked you to create a time capsule today, what items would you place in the capsule and why?

6th Grade
September is National Book Month. A new type of book, an eBook, is making its way into homes and classrooms around the world. An eBook doesnt use paper and is listened to by the reader. Would you rather read a paper book, listen to an eBook or a combination of both? Why? On September 6, 2000, a popular MP3 web site was fined for copyright violation. Instead of purchasing an MP3, visitors could simply download an MP3 free of charge. Music downloading is a popular activity with both kids and adults. Do you think you should be able to make a music purchase and share it with everyone you want? On September 11, we remember firefighters, police officers and people in New York City. Write about how people show bravery and courage. On September 13, 1916, author Roald Dahl was born. One of his more popular books, James and the Giant Peach, was made into a movie. There is always a debate about which to do first read the book or see the movie. Which do you think is the right choice? Has there been a time when your choice was wrong? Explain. September 21st is International Peace Day. What can you do to help keep peace in: your school, your classroom, and your family?

Owen (2010)