6th grade creative writing topics

50 Exclusive 6th Grade Writing Prompts that are Printable for Free

• February 22, 2024

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Table of contents, personal narratives:, creative stories:, opinion pieces:, descriptive essays, expository essays, book reviews, research projects, journal entries:, exclusive 6th grade writing prompts , 6th-grade writing prompts , creative writing topics for grade 6 , 6th grade writing prompts with reading passages , recommendations.

For sixth graders, imagination can be the key to creative expression. It’s a strong weapon. With specialized 6th Grade Writing Prompts, you can have an insight into the distinctive thoughts of these young authors and inspire a wide range of creative and inventive ideas.

As a student, every prompt offers you the chance to use narrative to explore new aspects of yourself, from ones that take them to far galaxies to those that delve deeply into your feelings and experiences.

In this article, we will take you through 50 exclusive 6th grade writing prompts that are printable for free. Carefully read through!

• Exclusive 6th Grade Writing Prompts
• 6th-grade Writing Prompts
• Creative Writing Topics for Grade 6
• 6th Grade Writing Prompts with Reading Passages

What Should a 6th Grader Write about?

A sixth grader’s writing can cover a wide range of subjects, contingent upon their experiences, interests, and the particular assignment or goal of the writing work. Some possibilities for topics a sixth grader could write about are as follows:

Students are encouraged to explore their own experiences and share them with others through the use of personal narratives.

They can relive with vivid detail special occasions, like the time they overcame their fear of heights by scaling a mountain, obstacles they’ve overcome, like learning to ride a bike without training wheels, or memorable times spent with loved ones, like a touching holiday celebration or an adventure that strengthened their bond with siblings.

Students acquire insight into their own lives and ideals by thinking back on these experiences and expressing them in writing, in addition to honing their storytelling abilities.

Students can express their imagination and ingenuity via creative stories. Authors can showcase their storytelling skills by creating inventive stories with captivating characters, compelling narratives, and unique settings.

Students are free to let their imaginations run wild, whether they go on an exhilarating journey through a magical kingdom, solve a mystery in a chilling haunted mansion, or explore the depths of space in a futuristic starship.

They hone their narrative abilities, create gripping stories, and bring their imaginative ideas to life on paper via the process of storytelling.

Students can express their opinions on a variety of subjects that are important to them through opinion pieces. Students can use persuasive writing to communicate their ideas, advocate for their beliefs, and express their perspectives on a variety of topics, from pop cultural phenomena to environmental issues to school laws.

Students gain the ability to effectively express their thoughts, provide evidence to back up their claims, engage in critical thinking, and debate—whether they are advocating for tighter environmental rules, defending their favorite book or movie, or suggesting changes to school procedures.

Descriptive essays require students to use language to conjure up vivid images in the readers’ minds and arouse their senses. They can paint a detailed picture of a location they have been to, such a busy city street, a calm beach at dusk, or a comfortable lodge in the woods.

As an alternative, individuals can use rich descriptions and striking pictures to delve into the sensory nuances of a beloved memory, a favorite dish, or an interesting object. Students who practice descriptive writing are better able to arouse readers’ emotions, appeal to their senses, and produce immersive writing.

Expository essays educate students how to present facts and provide a clear, structured explanation of difficult subjects.

They can delve into a variety of topics, including historical events, cultural customs, how-to manuals, and scientific ideas.

Whether they’re breaking down a cultural ritual, exploring the history of ancient civilizations, or explaining how photosynthesis works, students learn how to effectively research, analyze, and present information. This helps them improve their writing, research, and critical thinking abilities.

Through the skillful use of language and images, poetry provides students with a unique means of expression, enabling them to explore themes such as nature, emotions, friendship, and identity. They can play around with various poetry forms, including limericks, sonnets, haikus, or free verse, and investigate the lyrical and rhythmic aspects of language.

Students learn how to use words to express emotions, generate images, and build meaning in their poetry, whether they’re writing a whimsical limerick, a heartfelt sonnet, or a haiku that captures the majesty of a sunset.

By giving students a platform to express their ideas and opinions about books they’ve read, book reviews support the growth of their analytical and critical thinking abilities.

They can assess the book’s advantages and disadvantages, character and topic analysis, and storyline summary.

Students gain the ability to engage with literature thoughtfully, express their opinions clearly, and participate in literary discussions and debates—whether they are analyzing a classic work of literature, suggesting a favorite novel to their peers, or delving into the themes of a recent bestseller.

Research projects allow students to explore interesting subjects in-depth, gather data, and present their results in an orderly and systematic manner. They can delve into a variety of topics, such as social issues, cultural customs, historical events, and scientific occurrences.

Whether they’re looking into the origins of climate change, studying the past of ancient civilizations, or examining how social media affects society, students gain important research skills from these projects.

These skills include how to collect data from trustworthy sources, assess the validity of the data, and effectively and persuasively present their findings.

Keeping a journal gives students a private place to consider their feelings, ideas, experiences, and observations. Journaling allows them to keep track of their daily activities, examine their feelings and responses to situations, and think back on their development and education.

Regular journaling helps kids develop self-awareness, introspection, and mindfulness. This can be done by having them write down their ideas before going to bed, reflect on their experiences after a difficult day, or capture moments of inspiration and insight.

Read ALSO:  107+ Creative Writing Prompts For Middle School Students

• Write a tale about a time-traveling excursion to a significant historical occasion.
• Describe a world in which all people’s dreams come true.
• Which historical figure, and why, would you want to meet if you could?
• Ten years from now, write a letter to yourself.
• Consider being able to teleport to any location on Earth. Which place would you visit first?
• Describe a superhero’s typical day in the life of a neighborhood resident.
• If you could communicate with animals, how would you respond?
• Write a story about a magical item that, although granting desires, has drawbacks.
• Describe a future society in which all aspects of existence are governed by technology.
• What superpower, if any, would you choose to have, and how would you use it?
• Write a tale about a bunch of pals figuring out a mystery in their community.
• Describe an unruly world. How would that feel?
• What exactly does being a good friend entail? Write about an instance where you showed friendship.
• Which disciplines would you include in your own curriculum, if you could create one?
• Write a letter expressing your admiration for the writing of your favorite author.
• Tell about a moment when you had to make a tough choice and how you came to an answer.
• Consider being able to travel to any fictitious place from a book. To what place would you go?
• Write about a moment when, despite the difficulty, you stood up for what you believed in.
• What would you alter, and why, if you could, in the world?
• Write a tale that takes place in a bleak future when humanity is about to perish.
• Write about a day in the life of your favorite movie or book character.
• For you, what does success mean? Write about a moment when you felt accomplished.
• Consider being able to speak with extraterrestrials on a different world. How would you respond?
• Write a letter expressing your admiration for your role model.
• Describe a society in which mind reading is a common skill.
• What new technology, and how might it help civilization, if you could create it?
• Write about a failure you’ve had and the lessons you took away from it.
• Describe a civilization that is utopian and in balance with the natural world.
• What would you change if you could travel back in time to alter one particular historical event?
• Write a tale about a party of adventurers finding a lost culture.
• Describe a world in which magic exists but is kept out of the public eye.
• What does being brave really mean? Write about a brave moment in your life.
• Which historical period—past or future—would you like to live in, and why?

Read ALSO:  140 Exclusive Writing Prompts For Adults

• A Magical Land : Describe a world where magic is real and part of everyday life.
• Time Travel Adventure : Write a story about traveling back in time to a significant historical event.
• Superhero Origins : Create the origin story of a new superhero, including their powers and motivations.
• Mystery Mansion : Describe a spooky mansion and the mysteries hidden within its walls.
• Animal Kingdom : Imagine a world where animals can talk and interact with humans.
• Dream Vacation : Describe your ideal vacation destination and what you would do there.
• Invent a New Planet : Design a planet with unique geography, inhabitants, and customs.
• Lost in the Wilderness : Write about being lost in the wilderness and the adventures that follow.
• Sports Star : Imagine becoming a professional athlete in your favorite sport. Describe your journey to success.
• School of Magic : Enroll in a school for wizards and witches. Describe your experiences learning spells and potions.
• Alien Encounter : Describe an encounter with an alien species and the impact it has on Earth.
• Underwater Adventure : Dive deep into the ocean and explore an underwater world full of wonders and dangers.
• Robot Revolution : Write about a future where robots have become sentient and demand equal rights.
• Time Capsule : Imagine burying a time capsule with items representing your life. What would you include and why?
• A Day in the Life of a Celebrity : Describe a day in the life of a famous celebrity of your choice.
• The Quest for a Magical Artifact : Write a story about a quest to find a powerful magical artifact and the challenges faced along the way.
• Haunted House : Explore a haunted house and uncover its dark secrets.
• Space Exploration : Describe a journey to explore a distant planet in search of new life forms.
• Future Career : Imagine your future career and what a typical day in that profession would be like.
• Invisible Friend : Write about having an invisible friend and the adventures you have together.

Read ALSO:  50 Exclusive 4th Grade Writing Prompts That Are Printable For Free

• Prompt : Imagine you are one of the characters in the passage below. Write a diary entry describing your thoughts and feelings about the events that unfolded.

Reading Passage : “The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. As Sarah packed her bag, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of dread. She knew she had to face her bully on the bus ride home.”

• Prompt : After reading the passage below, write a persuasive essay arguing whether or not schools should implement a dress code policy like the one described.

Reading Passage : “As students entered the school gates, they were greeted by the sight of their peers dressed in a rainbow of colors and styles. Some wore jeans and T-shirts, while others donned skirts and blazers. There was no uniform requirement, allowing students to express their individuality through their clothing choices.”

• Prompt : Use the information from the passage to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper expressing your opinion on the issue discussed.

Reading Passage : “The town council is considering banning plastic bags in an effort to reduce pollution and protect the environment. Many residents are divided on the issue, with some arguing that it would inconvenience shoppers and hurt businesses, while others believe it is a necessary step towards a greener future.”

• Prompt : After reading the passage below, write a narrative describing a day in the life of the protagonist, using details from the passage to inspire your story.

Reading Passage : “Jake woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside his window. As he stretched and yawned, he glanced at the clock and realized he was running late for school. He quickly dressed, grabbed his backpack, and raced out the door, eager to start the day.”

• Prompt : Based on the information provided in the passage, write a summary of the main arguments presented by each side of the debate.

Reading Passage : “The school cafeteria is considering replacing unhealthy snacks with nutritious options. Proponents of the change argue that it will improve student health and academic performance, while opponents worry about increased costs and decreased student satisfaction.”

• Prompt : Use the passage below as inspiration to write a descriptive essay about your favorite outdoor activity.

Reading Passage : “As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape, Sarah and her friends gathered around the campfire. They roasted marshmallows, told stories, and gazed up at the starry sky, feeling at peace in the great outdoors.”

• Prompt : After reading the passage below, write a compare and contrast essay discussing the similarities and differences between the two characters.

Reading Passage : “Emily was outgoing and adventurous, always eager to try new things and meet new people. In contrast, her sister Olivia was shy and reserved, preferring to spend her time lost in books or exploring nature alone.”

• Prompt : Using the information provided in the passage, write a persuasive speech arguing for or against the proposed changes.

Reading Passage : “The city council is considering implementing a curfew for teenagers in an effort to reduce crime and keep young people safe. Supporters believe it will decrease juvenile delinquency, while opponents argue it will unfairly restrict the freedoms of law-abiding teenagers.”

• Prompt : Write a narrative inspired by the passage below, imagining yourself as the protagonist navigating the challenges described.

Reading Passage : “Mark stared at the blank page in front of him, feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the task ahead. He had a history essay due tomorrow, but he had no idea where to begin. With a sigh, he picked up his pen and started writing, determined to conquer his writer’s block.”

• Prompt : Based on the information provided in the passage, write a response discussing your opinion on the topic and providing evidence to support your viewpoint.

Reading Passage : “The debate over homework continues to divide educators, parents, and students alike. Some argue that it reinforces learning and teaches responsibility, while others believe it causes stress and detracts from family time. What is your stance on the issue?”

Yes, these writing prompts are designed to be age-appropriate and engaging for all 6th graders.

Yes, these writing prompts have been carefully crafted to align with common core standards for 6th grade writing.

It’s recommended to introduce a new prompt regularly, such as once a week, to keep your students inspired and practicing their writing skills consistently.

Engaging with a variety of creative and thought-provoking prompts can definitely help enhance your students’ writing abilities over time.

These varied subjects for sixth-grade writing assignments are sure to stimulate young writers’ creativity and critical thinking. Teachers and parents can easily include these prompts in their lesson plans or home-schooling activities because they are free to print.

Students will be able to convey their own views and perspectives while practicing a variety of writing abilities by responding to these prompts.

These writing prompts can be used as homework assignments, daily warm-ups, or creative writing exercises. They are an invaluable tool for supporting the development of young writers.

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35 Meaningful 6th Grade Writing Prompts

• Middle School Education

Introduction:

Writing is an essential skill that helps students develop their creativity, improve cognitive abilities, and express their thoughts clearly. For middle school students, writing prompts serve as a useful tool to inspire engagement in writing activities. In this article, we share 35 meaningful writing prompts designed specifically for 6th-grade learners to help them unleash their imagination and build confidence in their writing abilities.

1. Write a letter to your future self. What advice and experiences would you want to share?

2. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you travel and why?

3. Imagine you are the protagonist in your favorite book or movie. How would you react differently to the events in the story?

4. Write a detective story involving a mysterious disappearance at your school.

5. If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and what questions would you ask them?

6. Describe what life might look like in 100 years.

7. Create a new holiday celebrated by people all over the world. How is it observed and what is its purpose?

8. Write an alternate ending to your favorite book or movie.

9. If you were president for a day, what three things would you change or improve in your country?

10. Describe how technology has changed our lives over the past decade.

11. Imagine a new invention that could benefit society as a whole. Describe its features and uses.

12. Write about a memorable daydream you’ve had at school or home.

13. Create a fictional world where nature has unusual characteristics (e.g., trees with golden leaves).

14. Share a moral dilemma that you have encountered and explain how you dealt with it.

15. Describe the most courageous act performed by someone close to you.

16. Write about becoming best friends with someone from another planet or culture.

17. Choose a theme for your ideal 6th-grade dance party and explain your choice.

18. Write about a significant challenge you faced and how you overcame it.

19. Invent a new sport that blends two existing sports into one.

20. Describe your dream job and how you plan to achieve it.

21. Write about a time when you felt misunderstood by someone, and how that affected your relationship with them.

22. Create a new superhero with unique abilities, and describe their adventures in protecting the world.

23. Share your perspective on a current news item or global event.

24. How would your life change if money suddenly lost all value?

25. Write about an interaction with an animal that had unexpected consequences (real or imagined).

26. Describe the importance of community service, and discuss ways young people can contribute to society.

27. Imagine a world without music or art. How would it affect people’s everyday experiences?

28. Choose any fictional universe and explain why you’d want (or not want) to live there.

29. Write about how your favorite hobby or pastime has shaped your character and worldview.

30. Invent new characters that could reside in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

31. Describe an encounter with extraterrestrial life from their point of view.

32. Discuss the pros and cons of social media use among young people today.

33. Rewrite a fairy tale from the villain’s perspective, explaining their motives and actions.

34. Imagine you could swap bodies with anyone for one day—what would you do during that time?

35. Write about the importance of family traditions and share some of your own unique family rituals.

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Home » Tips for Teachers » The 9 Best Creative and Argumentative Writing Prompts for 6th Grade

The 9 Best Creative and Argumentative Writing Prompts for 6th Grade

Keeping middle schoolers excited about writing is important. Writing is such an essential skill that students will need as they complete their education and move on to finding a real job.Many middle school-age students, however, often begin seeing writing as something that isn’t fun or worthwhile. Other students get discouraged about their abilities as a writer and may stop trying their best.

Finding the best writing prompts for 6th grade is so important in keeping students excited and writing and seeing it as something that is worth their time.A few years ago, I took a job as a 6th grade writing teacher. I almost immediately noticed that many of my students seemed bored with writing, while others seemed to shut down when asked to write.I searched and found some engaging writing prompts that sparked my students’ interest. What a difference it made! Students that claimed writing was ‘useless’ were now engaged and sharing their work with others!

I’d love to help you bring about this change in your students, too! Continue reading, and I’ll share:

• The 6th grade writing standards →
• Advantages of using writing prompts with your lessons →
• My favorite creative writing prompts for 6th grade →
• My favorite argumentative writing prompts for 6th grade →

5 Creative Writing Prompts for 6th Grade

Providing students with opportunities for creative writing is important. Creative writing can help students process their emotions, build their confidence, express their individuality, and increase their imagination.

Below are some of my favorite creative writing prompts for 6th grade.  You can use document cameras in order to follow your student’s writing.

Prompt: When you become disappointed, what do you do to manage your emotions?

Before having students begin writing, brainstorm some possible reactions as a class. These may include crying, breathing deeply, counting to 10, taking a break/removing oneself from the situation. After brainstorming, have students select the strategy (or strategies) that best describe their reactions and write about what they do.

2. Flying Superpower

Prompt: One morning, you wake up and realize that you are suddenly able to fly. What adventures would you like to go on?

This writing prompt will really tap into students’ creativity and imagination. Since flying is something they clearly have never done, they will have to think about all the things that would be possible and choose a few to write about.

3. Letter to Future Self

Prompt: Write a letter to your future self. What would you want yourself to know?

Tell students that they will be writing a letter to themselves to read when they are older. You can either pick an age/milestone (graduating from college, getting their first job, having children, etc.), or allow students to pick. Ask students to think about what they believe would be important to know at that juncture in their life and include it in their letter.

You could also modify this by having students write a letter to their past selves. What would they have wanted to know at the beginning of the school year, before they lost their first tooth, or before they even learned how to walk?

4. No Internet for a Month

Prompt: If there was no internet available for a month, what would you do?

This could be a fun one to do with middle schoolers who are so dependent on technology and the internet. Before students begin writing, get them to brainstorm a list of all the ways their lives are dependent on the internet.

Encourage them to think beyond the ‘obvious’ online game play and video streaming to consider other impacts such as ordering items online or communicating via email with friends and family.

5. Genie in a Bottle

Prompt: You released a genie from her magic bottle, and she said she would give you any talent that you ask for. What talent would you want and why?

This is another great creative writing prompt for sixth graders. They’ll have fun thinking about a talent they would like and what they would like to do with that talent.

4 Argumentative Writing Prompts for 6th Grade

Argumentative writing is another important skill for students to practice and develop. With argumentative writing, students must decide their opinion or position related to an issue and provide reasons that support their position. These reasons should be evidenced based, so research to find the support is often required.

You’ll find some of my favorite argumentative writing prompts to use with 6th grade students below.

Prompt: Which animal makes the best pet? Support your opinion with facts and examples.

I like this writing prompt for introducing students to argumentative writing. The topic of pets is something all students are familiar with, even if they don’t personally own a pet.

You can also use this topic to introduce students to providence factual reasons, versus opinions, to support their answers. For example, if students want to say that a cat is the best pet, a factual reason can’t be that cats are cute. However, they could say something like cats are the best pet because they do not have to be taken outside to go to the bathroom on a cold or rainy day.

2. Teaching Math in School

Prompt: Is it necessary to teach math in school? Why or why not?

I liked using this writing prompt with my 6th graders. Before I had students start, I took an initial poll by having the students raise their hands. Not surprisingly, a fair number of hands went up to vote against teaching math in school.

However, after we discussed the pros and cons of eliminating math instruction and students had to make their final decision before starting on their prompt, a lot of students changed their minds. It was encouraging to see them looking at the stronger reasons for leaving math in the curriculum and letting them outweigh their desire for ‘easier’ school.

3. Screen Time Limits

Prompt: Should parents place limits on how much screen time their children can have? Why or why not?

However, once they start thinking about reasons to limit screen time and examine evidence showing the impact of too much screen time on children, they may change their mind.

4. Conserving Energy

Prompt: What is the most important thing all households should be doing to conserve energy?

This writing prompt can pair nicely with a science unit on energy conservation. Clearly, there are a number of things that families can do to reduce their environmental impact.

However, for this writing prompt, students must decide which one thing is the most important and provide evidence to support their opinion.

Writing Standards for 6th Grade

Sixth graders will continue to build on the knowledge and skills they learned in elementary school. As the first of the middle school years, the writing expectations for sixth grade will be greater than those during the elementary school years.

Sixth grade is a critical year for students in regards to writing and other subject matters. They are transitioning from elementary school to the upper grades and will need the right supports to help them master the grade-level standards.

Below is an overview of the writing standards for 6th grade related to the writing process, writing purposes, writing evaluation, conventions, and research and inquiry.

Writing Process

Students should receive instruction and practice on each stage of the writing process. They should independently implement each of the stages when producing their own written work.

The stages of the writing process that sixth graders are expected to know and use include:

Writing Purposes

Sixth graders should be composing texts for a variety of purposes and intents. Many of these texts should be at least 500 to 700 words long.

Some of the different forms/intents that students should be writing about in sixth grade include:

• Research Reports
• Responses to Literature

Writing Evaluation

In sixth grade, students should practice evaluating and giving constructive feedback for another student’s wiring.

They should also begin evaluating their own work and identify their strengths and weaknesses as a writer. Then, they should use this information to set persona writing goals for improving their work.

Conventions

Below are some of the key convention skills that sixth graders should be proficient with:

• Sentence structure
• Capitalization
• Punctuation
• Cursive or manuscript

Research and Inquiry

Research and inquiry is another important standard for sixth graders to show proficiency with. By the end of the year, students should be able to:

• Compile information from multiple sources to complete a report
• Use graphic organizer to show prior knowledge about a subject
• Create a plan for research and take notes about a topic
• Create appropriate questions to research
• Choose appropriate and authoritative sources
• Locate relevant information from resources
• Summarize the information found from various sources
• Document and cite sources
• Understand and articulate the importance of avoiding plagiarism

Advantages of Writing Prompts at the Lessons

You may be wondering why you should use writing prompts with your sixth graders. There actually are a number of benefits associated with using writing prompts, some of which may surprise you.

A few of the benefits of using writing prompts during your writing instruction include:

• The ability to focus student writing on a specific form of writing (informative, narrative, expository, etc.).
• Giving students the opportunity to practice writing and strengthen their skills as a writer.
• Presenting students with engaging tasks and assignments.
• Helping us as teachers come up with new ideas to get our students interested and engaged.
• You can find many writing prompts online for free, which is always a benefit when you are a teacher.

Got to sub in 6th grade today, the predictions were coming fast and furious for today’s writing prompt. Got to love engaged students! pic.twitter.com/nBfzMxxP0T — Nick Jurrens (@NickJurrens) February 20, 2021

50 Engaging 6th Grade Writing Prompts for Thoughtful Essays

Sixth grade marks a big transition in students’ lives. They’re no longer little kids, but they’re not quite teens either–that’s what middle school is all about. To help your students bridge this transition with ease, it’s important to give them plenty of opportunities to practice their writing skills since they’ll be doing a lot of writing in high school and beyond.

Over and above that, writing can be the perfect way for kids to express themselves and explore the world around them. That will only happen if you give them the space to do so, though, so here are 50 engaging 6th-grade writing prompts to help your students get their creative juices flowing.

Narrative Writing Prompts

Narrative writing revolves around telling a story with a plot that has rising action, a climax, and a resolution. These narrative writing prompts will give your 6th-grade students plenty to think about–and write about.

Story Starters

Students will often struggle with where to start their stories. These story starters will help them get past that initial hurdle by giving them some ideas to get their narratives going.

1. I had the biggest fight with my best friend yesterday. It all started when…

2. My first trip to the beach wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would be…

3. I’ll never forget the time when I was lost in the city. It was…

4. I had the biggest surprise of my life when…

5. My family went on the craziest road trip last summer. We started out by…

As you guide your students through their writing journey, make sure to encourage them to be creative and have fun with it – but still have them include the essential elements of a story, like rising action, a climax, and a resolution, so that their stories are well-rounded and engaging.

Personal Narrative Prompts

Personal narratives are all about giving students the opportunity to tell their own stories in descriptive ways. Here are writing prompts to get them started.

6. What’s the best (or worst) birthday you’ve ever had? Why was it so great (or terrible)?

7. What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done? What made you do it?

8. Think about your future self–where do you see yourself in 1 year? Write about it.

9. Think about the best day you’ve ever had. What made it so special?

10. Describe a time when the weather was really extreme. Describe it.

Reflective Writing Prompts

Reflective writing is a lot like journaling–it gives students the opportunity to process their thoughts and feelings on a given topic. These reflective writing prompts/journal prompts will encourage thoughtful reflection in your students while giving them some fun.

11. Make a list of your favorite things about yourself.

12. Take a walk in nature and describe what you see. What emotions does it evoke in you?

13. Describe your sports or extracurricular activities. What have you learned from them all?

14. Make a list of all the emotions you experience throughout the day.

15. Make a record of your daily objectives. Consider which one was the most simple to accomplish.

Journal prompts are usually effective because they make you think about a certain topic in a different, more introspective way, and so students should be encouraged to approach these writing prompts with open minds and hearts.

Informational Writing Prompts

Informational writing is an essential skill for middle-schoolers, especially as they head into high school and college, where they’ll be expected to write long-form essays rather than fiction. These informational writing prompts will give your students plenty of practice with this type of writing.

Expository Prompts

Expository writing is a type of nonfiction writing that requires students to investigate an idea, assess evidence, expand on the idea, and present an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. These prompts will help your students hone their expository writing skills.

16. Compare and contrast two of your friends.

17. Choose a challenge at your school. What’s the ideal solution for it?

18. Discuss a problem in a movie you enjoy. What was the outcome of the situation?

19. What was the cause of a recent argument you had? What was the effect?

20. Find an interesting story/narrative in your local newspaper and tell it in your own words.

Research Prompts

Next, research writing prompts will help students practice their research skills by investigating a given topic and finding credible sources to support their claims. These research writing prompts will allow your students to conduct investigative research and write about what they’ve found in detail.

21. How long can fish survive without water?

22. What animals are on the verge of extinction?

23. What’s the history of your favorite sport, and how did it develop?

24. What are people’s civil rights, and who has fought for them?

25. Explore your dream career. What skills would you need to succeed in it?

This may be a good time to introduce your students they could use to reference their information and give credit where it’s due. Inform them that not all sources are created equal, and brainstorm some tips for evaluating the credibility of a website.

Procedural Prompts

As their name suggests, procedural writing prompts provide students with the opportunity to write clear and concise instructions on a given topic. These prompts will help your sixth graders learn the essentials of procedural writing.

26. Make a user guide for anything you use frequently (e.g., your computer, smartphone, video game console).

27. Write a set of instructions for cleaning your room.

28. Teach a younger reader how to do homework without wasting time.

29. What’s the quickest way for you to go to the library if you’re in your classroom now?

30. Describe the steps involved in tying a shoe.

Argument Writing Prompts

The next type of writing prompt is argument writing. Argumentative writing is a type of nonfiction writing that requires students to investigate a topic, collect evidence, and assess their findings to defend a point of view while also considering the perspectives of others.

These argumentative writing prompts will give your young writers practice with this type of persuasive writing.

Argumentative Essay Prompts

The most common type of essay prompt on standardized tests is the argumentative essay question since it’s intellectually challenging. In these questions, students will be given a prompt and they’ll be asked to take a position on an issue or topic.

They’ll then need to provide satisfactory evidence from their research to support their position. Here are some prompts to get them started.

31. Should school uniforms be required in all schools?

32. Is it ever okay to break the law?

33. Do you think people should be required to vote? Why or why not?

34. Is Monday through Friday the best school schedule?

35. Is it important to learn science?

Persuasive Prompts

Emotional appeals can be a powerful tool in persuasive writing. In these prompts, students will need to use their powers of persuasion and other rhetorical strategies to convince their readers to see their point of view. Here are persuasive prompts to put your students’ powers of persuasion to the test.

36. Make a case for or against year-round schooling.

37. Should there be a limit on the amount of homework students can receive?

38. Persuade your parents to let you choose your own bedtime.

39. What’s the best way to deal with bullies in schools?

40. Who’s the greatest sports athlete of all time?

Poetry Prompts

Poetry prompts are a great way to get your students to write creatively. These prompts will help your students tap into their imaginations and write poems that are both beautiful and moving. Whether in free verse or strict meter, your students will be sure to impress you with their poetic prowess.

41. Write about how you’re feeling right now in a  haiku .

42. Create a poem in memory of a book, TV, or film character who has died.

43. Choose an onomatopoeia and use it five times in a poem.

44. Consider a metaphor for the current school year and create a poem about it.

45. Write a friendship poem in which every line includes a  rhyme for “friend.”

Creative Writing Prompts

Last but not least, creative writing is all about using imagination to create a piece of writing that’s unlike anything else. This creative writing prompts will help your students tap into their imaginations and write some truly unique pieces revolving around self-expression.

46. If I could have any superpower, it would be…

47. Write about a day in the life of your favorite cartoon character.

48. If you could be a historical figure for a day, who would you choose to be?

49. Write a family story from the perspective of your pet.

50. Invent a new holiday and describe how it’s celebrated.

Jump In : Better prepare your 6th graders for this activity by improving their reading comprehension first! Proceed to read my list of fun comprehension exercises here —  11 Fun 6th Grade Reading Comprehension Activities (& Games) .

Dust Off Those Pencils and Get Ready to Write! 

While many students lose motivation as their first middle school year goes on, these 50 6th grade writing prompts will help keep them excited about writing all year long. With tons of different genres and modes of writing to choose from, there’s something here for everyone! So get those pencils sharpened and those minds thinking—it’s time to start writing!

Last Updated on July 24, 2022 by Emily

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Emily is an active mother of two and a dedicated elementary school teacher. She believes the latest technology has made a huge impact on the quality of early learning and has worked hard to upgrade her classroom and her own children’s learning experience through technology.

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100 Fun and Engaging Writing Prompts for 6th Graders

Writing prompts are fantastic tools to boost 6th-grade writing skills . This blog offers a wide variety of prompts across different genres — from imaginative stories to well-crafted arguments, and from vivid descriptions to informative explanations. It also encourages brainstorming, emphasizes a playful approach, and values the revision process. Use these prompts to engage your 6th graders — helping them find their unique voice and build confidence in their writing abilities.

100 Creative Writing Prompts for 6th Graders: Get Ideas Flowing

Strong writing skills are an undeniable asset for middle school students. A study shows that writing helps students process information, articulate complex ideas, and express themselves with impact. But let’s be honest — blank pages can be intimidating.

That’s where engaging writing prompts come in. A well-crafted prompt can ignite a 6th grader’s imagination, well-reasoned arguments, and vivid descriptions. Rather than a chore, writing becomes an exploration — a chance to flex their minds and discover their unique voice.

This blog post is your go-to guide for 100+ writing prompts for 6th-graders. Plus, we’ll share tips to ensure each prompt yields powerful results.

100+ Writing Prompts for 6th Graders: Inspiration for Every Student

So, let’s dive in, shall we?

20 Narrative Writing Prompts for 6th Graders

Narrative writing allows students to become world-builders. They craft characters, invent settings, and weave together events into a compelling story. 

Here are 20 narrative writing prompts to kick start their storytelling engines.

• You discover a secret passageway hidden in your house. Where does it lead, and what adventure awaits you on the other side?
• Write a story from the perspective of a lost toy, desperately trying to find its way back home.
• You receive a letter inviting you to a mysterious school you’ve never heard of. What magical secrets does it hold?
• Suddenly, you can understand the language of animals. What shocking or hilarious conversations do you overhear?
• A time capsule from the future mysteriously washes up at your feet. What predictions or warnings does it contain?
• One morning, you wake up to find you’ve switched bodies with someone else. Who is it, and how do you manage a day in their life?
• An ordinary object in your life gains a strange ability. What is it, and how does it transform your day?
• During a hike, you stumble upon a hidden civilization tucked away from the world. Describe it and your encounter with its inhabitants.
• You gain the ability to travel through time. Choose one major historical event to witness firsthand.
• While cleaning out the attic, you find a photograph of someone you don’t recognize. Craft a story about that person and their hidden past.
• Your favorite storybook character comes to life! What kind of trouble (or fun) do you have together?
• You learn an important family secret that changes everything you thought you knew. How do you react?
• Stranded on a deserted island, you must survive with only your wits and what washes ashore. Tell the tale of your survival.
• A friendly alien crash-lands on Earth. You’re tasked with showing them around and explaining human customs.
• Write a ghost story inspired by a spooky local legend or landmark.
• You witness something you weren’t supposed to see. Now you’re entangled in a mystery…
• During a class trip, a mix-up sends you on a wild solo adventure.
• Create a myth or legend that explains a strange natural phenomenon.
• You wake up as the villain in your favorite book or movie. Can you change the ending?
• The most boring task turns into the most unexpected adventure…

20 Persuasive Writing Prompts for 6th Graders

Persuasive writing challenges students to form a clear opinion and defend it with logic and evidence. These prompts will encourage them to think critically and make their case. 

• Should school uniforms be mandatory? Explain your position.
• Is social media a positive or negative force for kids your age? Take a side and defend it.
• Are zoos necessary for animal conservation, or are they harmful? Build your argument.
• Should kids have a say in how much screen time they have? Why or why not?
• If you could have any animal as a pet (even a mythical one!), what would you choose and why?
• Do video games have a positive or negative impact on kids? Argue your side.
• What’s the one school rule you would change and why?
• Is homework helpful or harmful to learning? State your case.
• If you could invent a new holiday, what would it celebrate and why?
• Should your school offer more elective courses (art, music, etc.) or focus on core subjects?
• Would you rather have super strength or the ability to fly? Convince us your choice is better.
• Is it more important to be kind or to be smart? Justify your answer.
• What’s one thing adults constantly misunderstand about your generation?
• Would you rather live in a world without technology or without books? Defend your choice.
• Do you believe in luck? Can people make their own luck or is it random?
• Choose a celebrity or historical figure you’d like to interview. What are your top 3 questions?
• Should kids be paid for doing chores? Argue for or against this idea.
• Do you think school days should be shorter or longer? Explain your reasoning.
• The best way to spend a rainy day is…. Convince us of your plan.
• If you could change one thing about your community, what would it be and why?

20 Informative/Expository Writing Prompts for 6th Graders

Informative writing focuses on explaining a topic, process, or concept in a clear and organized way. 

Here are prompts to help 6th graders share their knowledge.

• Choose a historical event to research. Teach us everything you learned.
• Think of a hobby you’re passionate about and write a ‘How-To’ guide for beginners.
• If you could invent anything to make the world better, what would it be? Describe it in detail and explain its benefits.
• Research a career that interests you. What type of education is required, and what are the day-to-day tasks involved?
• Explain the science behind a natural phenomenon like volcanoes, rainbows, or thunderstorms.
• Choose a country you’ve always wanted to visit. Research its culture, landmarks, and history.
• What is the most important issue facing your generation? Explain the issue and offer potential solutions.
• Profile a person you admire. What are their accomplishments, and what makes them inspirational?
• Compare and contrast two things that are similar but have key differences (types of sports, musical genres, or animal species).
• The history of your favorite snack food — who invented it and how did it become popular?
• Write a step-by-step explanation of a process you know well (baking a cake, building a LEGO structure, etc.).
• Choose a current event and write a news article summarizing the key details.
• Investigate a scientific myth (like ‘we only use 10% of our brains’) and debunk it with facts.
• What’s the biggest misconception people have about your hometown or state? Set the record straight.
• If you could be an expert on any topic, what would it be? Share some of your knowledge.
• How did a specific invention change the world?
• Create an informational guide about a famous landmark or monument.
• What’s your favorite board game or video game? Write instructions for someone who’s never played before.
• Your guide to responsible pet ownership — what does it take to properly care for an animal?
• What environmental issues matter most to you? Explain the problem and how people can help.

20 Descriptive Writing Prompts for 6th Graders

Descriptive writing uses vivid language and sensory details to create an image in the reader’s mind. These prompts challenge students to paint pictures with their words. So, let’s find out. 

• Imagine you step through a doorway into a painting. Describe what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel in this new world.
• Describe the most terrifying place imaginable. Make it so detailed the reader gets chills.
• Close your eyes and imagine your favorite meal. Describe it using all your senses, tempting someone who’s never had it to try it.
• You find a mysterious potion. Describe its appearance, smell, and the strange feeling you get just by looking at it.
• Describe a crowded, bustling place (a market, a concert, a busy street) focusing on the sounds you hear.
• The power goes out during a storm. Describe your surroundings using sensations other than sight.
• Imagine you can shrink to the size of a bug. Describe a familiar place from this new perspective.
• A stranger passes you on the street. Describe their appearance in detail, creating a backstory in your mind for them.
• Take an ordinary object (a pencil, a leaf, a shoelace) and describe it as if you were seeing it for the very first time.
• Describe your emotions through a weather metaphor (a raging thunderstorm, a peaceful foggy morning, etc.).
• Describe a place that holds a special memory for you, making the reader feel that they were there too.
• You open a box and find a strange artifact. Describe it so vividly, we can picture it perfectly.
• You’re lost in a dense forest. Describe the feeling of being surrounded by nature.
• Describe your ideal room – what does it look like, smell like, and how does it make you feel?
• Imagine tasting the sweetest, most delicious thing possible. What is it, and how does it taste?
• Personify an emotion (love, fear, anger…) — how do they look, sound, and move?
• Describe a photograph without actually telling what’s in the picture itself.
• Describe your walk to school, focusing on the tiny details you often overlook.
• You get to create your own flavor of ice cream. Describe it, making mouths water everywhere.
• You come across a creature no one has ever seen before. Describe it in thrilling detail.

20 Creative and Quirky Writing Prompts for 6th Graders

Sometimes, a fun and wacky prompt is the best way to get those creative juices flowing. Here are some prompts designed to take their writing in unexpected directions.

• If animals could talk, which species would have the most to complain about?
• You find a pair of glasses that let you see people’s true thoughts. Describe what happens when you put them on.
• One day, all the colors in the world get mixed up. What does this new, mismatched world look like?
• Foods start coming to life! What kind of trouble would your favorite food get into? 
• You write a fortune cookie message that comes true for everyone who reads it. What does your fortune say?
• A mysterious button appears on your desk. Every time you press it, something weird happens. What kind of weirdness occurs?
• You become best friends with the voice inside your head. What’s your friendship like?
• What if shadows could detach from people and have their own adventures?
• If you could give advice to yourself from five years in the future, what would you say?
• Imagine everyday objects had personalities. Which object would be the funniest, and which would be the most annoying?
• You accidentally invent a machine that turns people’s dreams into reality. How does this change the world?
• All the adults in the world suddenly disappear. What do you and your friends do first?
• If you could rename yourself, what would you choose and why?
• You have the ability to pause time for everyone but yourself. How do you use this power?
• Write a story where the main character is the color blue.
• You meet a genie who will grant you three wishes, but with silly twists. What do you wish for, and what are the unexpected results?
• Write a one-sentence story that makes someone laugh, and another that makes someone feel scared.
• If you could design the ultimate treehouse, what features would it have?
• Describe your funniest and most embarrassing moment – but tell it from another person’s perspective.
• Your pet discovers they can talk – what’s the first thing they say to you?

Tips for Using Writing Prompts Effectively

Writing prompts are powerful tools, but to get the best results, here are some strategies to keep in mind.

Offer Choices 

While some prompts might spark instant excitement, others could fall flat. Give students a few options to choose from — increasing their ownership over the writing process.

Encourage Brainstorming

Before they start writing their full piece, give students time to brainstorm. They can make word lists, sketch ideas, or simply free write whatever comes to mind in response to the prompt.

Don’t Fear Drafts 

Emphasize that first drafts are just a starting point. Encourage students to get their ideas on the page without worrying too much about perfection in the initial attempt.

Make Revision Meaningful 

Revision isn’t about just fixing spelling errors. Ask guiding questions — Could they add more vivid details? Is their argument well-supported? Does the structure of their story make sense?

Foster Peer Feedback

Students can learn a great deal from reading and responding to each other’s work. Provide specific guidance on offering constructive feedback that focuses on both strengths and areas for improvement.

Go Beyond the Page 

Consider how prompts can inspire other creative expressions. Could a narrative become a short play? Could a persuasive argument be turned into a debate? Explore different ways to extend their initial writing.

Final Thoughts

Writing prompts aren’t some secret ingredient that’ll suddenly make writing every kid’s favorite thing. However, they are a great way to kickstart ideas and get them playing around with words. Some prompts might land with a bang, others not much — and that’s okay! 

The key is to use them regularly. Help your students see writing as a chance to experiment, get out of their comfort zones, and discover how their thoughts shape up on the page. Things might not always be perfect, but that’s the whole point!

If you get stuck, feel free to use these prompts as springboards. Modify them, mix them up, and get inspired by them! 

Above all, show your own passion for writing. When kids see you’re genuinely excited about words, they’ll be a lot more likely to jump in and give it a go themselves.

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35 6th Grade Writing Prompts: Experiences, Reflections, Imaginative Thinking, And Learnings

February 8, 2024 //  by  Sean Kivi

Some students start to lose interest in writing in middle school, but this is a critical period for writing and an excellent time to help them discover themselves. They want to be heard at this age, so we need engaging, and thought-provoking writing prompts to help draw their voices out in their writing. We have compiled a list of fun writing topics that will elicit emotional and meaningful pieces of writing for your middle schoolers. Have a look at these 35 sixth-grade writing prompts that are sure to help your kids develop their voices and express their opinions in their writing.

Personal Experiences and Reflections

1. How was your first hospital experience?

2. What would you do if you could not use the internet for a month?

3. What would you do if cell phones stopped working tomorrow?

4. If you could, would you go to live on an alien planet?

5. What do you value most about your family?

6. Who is the most important person in your life?

7. What would you do if you were the only person on the planet?

8. What would you do if you had unlimited money?

9. Would you ever get a tattoo? Why or why not?

10. Can you tell me a time that you wished you could trade places with another person?

11. What is your favorite childhood memory, and why?

12. How was your first year of middle school? Why?

13. Which do you value more? Time or money? Why?

14. Would you rather live a short meaningful life or a long boring life? Why?

Creative and Imaginative Thinking

15. How do you think leaves would look if they could grow on Mars? Why?

16. Why do you think there are more insects than mammals?

17. If you could build an ecosystem, what would it be like?

18. Write a poem about a time that you felt outraged.

19. How would the world function without the internet for a day?

20. If you owned a country, what would it be like?

21. Which Harry Potter house do you think best suits your personality and why?

22. Whales don’t sing as much as before because of noise from boats on the water. Write a journal response explaining how we can help the whales sing again.

23. Are scorpions spiders or insects? Why?

24. Do blobfish look the same on land as they do at the bottom of the ocean? Why or why not?

25. Do you think time is real? Why or why not?

26. Write a letter to a friend convincing them to go skydiving.

27. If you had to lose one sense, which would you choose to lose and why?

Education and Learning

28. Should we teach math in school? Why or why not?

29. Do you think college is worth it? Why or why not?

30. Interview a grandparent and report how life was different when they were growing up.

31. Interview a doctor and report their experience in the hospital during the COVID-19 outbreak.

32. Write a journal entry outlining what your response to COVID would be if you were president.

33. Can plants grow in space? Why or why not?

34. Convince me that online learning is better than learning in a classroom.

35. How can we stop an asteroid from hitting the Earth?

6th Grade Journal Prompts

💾 Print or download a free PDF copy of this page:

Engage your 6th grader's imagination with our thoughtful journal prompts. Explore a variety of intriguing topics, stimulate critical thinking, and enhance writing skills with our DIY suggestions tailor-made for young learners.

As educators, parents, or caregivers, we understand the importance of fostering a love for writing within children early on. It can open doors to endless creativity, encourage critical thinking, and strengthen literacy skills. This is particularly significant during key transitional stages, like the 6th grade, where the academic demands begin to intensify.

In this article, we’re sharing a host of engaging prompts to inspire 6th grade students to express themselves through writing. These journal prompts will range from thought-provoking narrative ideas to fun creative exercises, all with the aim to spark their imagination and improve their writing skills.

So parents, teachers, and 6th graders, grab a journal, sit back, and get ready to embark on an exciting writing adventure full of self-discovery and learning. Let’s create, write, and learn together! 📓✍🏻

Exploring Emotions

Delving deeper into one's feelings through journaling encourages self-awareness and emotional intelligence, offering an important tool for personal growth for 6th graders. Here are 20 prompts to guide you in exploring emotions through writing:

• Describe a time when you felt really happy. What was happening, and why did it make you feel this way?
• Write about an incident that made you angry. How could you have responded differently?
• Reflect on a situation where you were scared. What was the reason for your fear?
• List three things that make you feel calm and peaceful.
• Write a letter to an emotion, like sadness or joy, as if it were a person.
• Describe a time when you felt proud of yourself. What led to this moment?
• Think about a moment when you felt disappointed. How did you cope with that feeling?
• Write about something that makes you nervous or anxious. What steps can you take to manage this anxiety?
• Describe a moment when you felt love. Who or what triggered this feeling?
• Write about an experience when you felt surprised. How did you react?
• Think about a time you experienced jealousy. How did it affect your behavior?
• List three things that let you feel relaxed and explain why they have this effect.
• Describe a moment when you felt annoyed. How did you deal with this feeling?
• Write about a situation that made you feel embarrassed. How did this experience help you grow?
• Reflect on an occasion when you felt gratitude. Why were you grateful?
• Write about your feelings when you succeed at something difficult.
• Describe your emotions when you see someone else in pain. What would you do to help them?
• Write about a time when you felt a sense of loss. How did you deal with these feelings?
• Reflect on an occasion when you were excited about something. Why did this event or thought excite you?
• Write about the strongest emotion you have ever felt. What triggered it, and how did it affect you?

Thoughts On Friendship

Exploring thoughts on friendship using journaling provides a chance to understand the complexities, joys, and challenges associated with forming and maintaining relationships at this stage of life. Here are 20 prompts to facilitate a deeper understanding of friendship:

• Write about your best friend. What makes them special?
• Imagine a world without friends. How would you feel?
• Think about the qualities you appreciate in a friend. List them out.
• Recall a time when a friend disappointed you. How did you handle it?
• Write a letter to a friend who moved away. What would you like them to know?
• Reflect on a funny moment you shared with a friend. Why was it memorable?
• Describe a time when a friend helped you. How did it change your relationship?
• Think about a time you were there for a friend. How did it strengthen your friendship?
• Write about your longest friendship. What has kept it going?
• Reflect on a disagreement you had with a friend. How was it resolved?
• Imagine you meet a new friend. How would you introduce yourself?
• Describe a time a friend made you feel special. How did they do it?
• Reflect on a time when you felt left out by your friends. How did you overcome that situation?
• Share a dream or goal you have and how you'd like a friend to support you in achieving it.
• Think about a friend who has similar interests. Write about what you enjoy doing together.
• Describe a time a friend pushed you out of your comfort zone. How did it feel?
• Imagine losing a friend. How would you cope?
• Think about the hardest thing about making friends. How do you overcome it?
• Write about a time you had to be brave for a friend. How did you feel?
• Reflect on a friend from a different culture. How has this friendship broadened your understanding of the world?

Imaginary Tales

Exploring imaginary tales through journal prompts allows 6th graders to stretch their creativity, build their writing skills, and engross their imaginations in worlds far beyond reality. Here are 20 prompts that invite students to engage discussion and exploration of such tales:

• Write a story about a land where the rules of gravity don't apply.
• Imagine a world where plants talk. How would a day in your life look like?
• Describe a city beneath the sea and its colorful inhabitants.
• Invent a fantasy creature with unique abilities and describe a day in its life.
• Tell about an adventure of a tiny creature living in the world of giants.
• What would happen if a wizard misplaced his wand in the human world?
• Imagine a journey to a planet made entirely of candy, what would you do there?
• Create a fairytale about a dragon that's afraid of fire.
• Write a story of you waking up with the ability to make your drawings come alive.
• Pen a tale of a kingdom where all seasons happen in a day.
• Describe an encounter with an intelligent being from another galaxy.
• Create a story using magic portals as form of public transportation.
• Imagine what would happen if all the characters from your favorite show came to life.
• Write a story about a secret society of cats who rule the world at night.
• Build a tale about a hidden forest where animals can speak human language.
• What if you found a magical calendar that controls time? Describe your first day with it.
• Create and describe a mystical fruit with strange, magical properties.
• Imagine stumbling upon an enchanted library with books that can predict the future.
• Write about an old map you discovered revealing a hidden magical island.
• Describe a haunted tower in a forgotten town, and its ghostly resident.

Adventure Chronicles

Adventure Chronicles involve writing engaging and creative narratives about daring exploits and explorations, designed to stimulate imagination and introspection for 6th graders. Here are 20 writing prompts to inspire your Adventure Chronicles:

• Describe an adventure where you discover a hidden treasure.
• Imagine being stranded on a deserted island. What would you do to survive?
• Write a narrative about a daring rescue mission in space.
• What would you do if you accidentally traveled back in time?
• What challenge would you face when climbing the highest mountain in the world?
• Create a story where you discover a new species in the Amazon jungle.
• Explain a situation where you need to escape from a sunken submarine.
• Write about your journey exploring a forbidden castle.
• Imagine an adventure where you have the ability to fly.
• Detail your dinosaur discovery after a time-travel adventure.
• Describe your efforts to solve the mystery at the museum.
• What would your quest look like to find a lost city underwater?
• Invent a narrative about an excursion to Mars.
• Chronicle an adventure of surviving a week in the wild.
• Imagine an expedition to find the North Pole. What dangers would you face?
• Explain how you would navigate through a deadly desert.
• Converse with aliens during an inter-galactic exploratory mission.
• Write a narrative on journey to rescue a trapped dragon.
• Describe your adventure of surviving a night in a haunted house.
• Devise a mission to rescue a stolen artifact from highly skilled thieves.

Diving Into History

Exploring historical events and figures through journal writing can ignite students' curiosity while enhancing their understanding of the past, prompting their reasoning and critical thinking skills. Here are 20 thought-provoking prompts related to 'Diving into History':

• Imagine living in the time of the American Revolution. Write a diary entry from that period.
• If you could have a conversation with Martin Luther King Jr., what would you ask him?
• Describe a day in the life of an Egyptian Pharaoh.
• Write a letter as if you were a soldier in World War II writing home.
• Explore what life might have been like for a child your age during the California Gold Rush.
• Illustrate a day in ancient Rome. What would your daily tasks be?
• If you could witness any historical event, what would it be and why?
• Choose a famous inventor and write about how their invention has impacted the world.
• Imagine you are an explorer discovering America for the first time. Write about your experiences.
• Write a news report on the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
• Write a journal entry from the perspective of Amelia Earhart on her solo flight across the Atlantic.
• Imagine being a pilgrim on the Mayflower. Record your thoughts about the journey.
• Describe the effects of the Great Depression on a typical American family.
• Discuss what it would be like to experience the Civil Rights Movement first-hand.
• Write a letter to President Abraham Lincoln, discussing your thoughts about the Civil War.
• If you could ask Rosa Parks one question, what would it be?
• Write about a day in the life of a knight during the Middle Ages.
• Imagine you're a worker building the Great Wall of China. Describe the challenges you face.
• If you could experience life in one ancient civilization, which would it be and why?
• Write a journal entry from the perspective of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon.

Reflections On Personal Achievements

Reflecting on personal achievements through journaling allows us to recognize and celebrate our growth and progress, acting as a tool to motivate us for future challenges. Here are 20 prompts that can guide 6th graders in reflecting on their personal achievements:

• Recount a goal you set and achieved recently. How did it make you feel?
• Detail a time when you overcame a fear. What steps did you take?
• Write about a project or task you completed that you're particularly proud of.
• List three skills you learned this year, whether at school or at home.
• Discuss a time when you received praise or recognition. How did it affect you?
• Reflect on an obstacle you overcame. What strategies did you employ to deal with it?
• Write about your biggest success in school last year. How have you built on that success?
• Write about an achievement that required a lot of hard work. How did you stay motivated?
• Describe a time when you performed well under pressure.
• Recall an experience where you used failure as a stepping stone for success.
• Think of a personal milestone you reached recently. How did it make you feel?
• Detail a time when you shared a personal achievement with your loved ones.
• Reflect on a competition or game that you won. What did you learn from that experience?
• Record a situation in which you were able to help someone else because of something you’ve learned.
• Discuss an achievement that you never thought you would accomplish. What changed?
• Write about a problem you solved or a difficult decision you made.
• Share an accomplishment that made you happy for a long time.
• Reflect on how you achieved a personal best in something you love doing.
• Write about a time when you received constructive criticism and used it positively.
• Describe an achievement that initially seemed impossible. How did you manage to achieve it?

Exploring The Future

Focusing on "Exploring the Future" through 6th grade journal prompts allows students to improve imaginative thinking and fosters their ability to envision and discuss potential scenarios in personal and global contexts. Here are 20 journal prompts centered on Exploring the Future:

• Imagine what your life could be like 10 years from now. Where are you living and what's your day-to-day routine?
• Predict what the world might look like in 50 years. What are the greatest changes society has encountered?
• Write about your dream job. Describe a typical day in this career.
• How do you imagine technology will evolve by the year 2040?
• Write a letter to your future self. What advice or reminders would you like to include?
• Visualize your dream house. Describe its details and explain why you chose this design.
• Write about a future family vacation. Where would you go and what activities would you engage in?
• What new subjects do you think should be taught if you were in a future school?
• Imagine meeting your future self. What questions would you ask?
• Picture your hometown 20 years from now. How is it different or the same?
• Which futuristic invention do you wish existed already? Describe how it would work and how it could benefit society.
• If you could make one law for the future, what would it be, and why?
• Imagine your future best friend. What do they look like? What qualities do they have?
• Envision a day when you run a company. What kind of company would that be and how would the company operate?
• Predict what kind of music will be popular 30 years from now.
• Describe a future world where there's no more pollution. What actions were taken to achieve this?
• Write about a day in your life as the future President or Prime Minister.
• What would your future city look like if you were the city planner?
• If you could invent one thing to better the world's future, what would it be?
• Picture your future family dinner. Who are the people around the table, and what are you talking about?

Environmental Concerns

Exploring environmental concerns through journaling encourages students to reflect on the impact of their actions on the environment, helping develop responsible and sustainable habits. Here are 20 prompts that can help delve into environmental concerns:

• Reflect on a recent news article you read about climate change. How did it make you feel?
• Imagine a day without plastic. Write about how you managed your day.
• Write about a local environmental issue in your community. What can be done to address it?
• Think about an endangered species. What can we do to save them?
• Describe the changes you would make if you were in charge of environmental policies in your country.
• Discuss the impact of littering in your neighborhood – why is it important not to litter?
• Write a short narrative about a world affected by pollution.
• Reflect on how the use of fossil fuels affects the environment.
• Write a letter to a company suggesting a change that would be better for the environment.
• Imagine a conversation between two trees being cut down – what are they saying?
• Write about a personal habit you could change to lessen your carbon footprint.
• Discuss the importance of recycling and how you can promote it in your school.
• How can daily habits positively or negatively affect our water sources?
• Reflect on how environmental changes can affect the animals in the wild.
• Write about ways to conserve energy at home.
• Show understanding of how excessive use of paper impacts the environment.
• Think about the food you eat. Write about sustainable food practices.
• How does pollution affect our health?
• Write a short story on the theme of 'A World Without Bees'.
• Discuss the concept of 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' and how you can implement it in your daily life.

Real-life Superheroes

Real-Life Superheroes provide us an opportunity to reflect and identify the qualities we admire and wish to embody, fostering personal growth through our journaling journey. Here are 20 prompts to help you explore their impact on your world:

• Write about a real-life superhero in your life – a person you look up to or admire.
• Detail a time when you acted as a superhero for someone else.
• Describe how you would use superpowers for good if you had them.
• Think about a real-life superhero in your community. How do they inspire you?
• Write a letter to a real-life superhero expressing your admiration.
• How would the day of your real-life superhero look like?
• Write about a time you felt empowered to make a difference, like a superhero.
• Explore a social issue you'd address if you were a superhero.
• Draw parallels between a superhero's life and your own life.
• How do your real-life superheroes balance their professional and personal lives?
• Share how a real-life superhero’s story brought a positive change in your life.
• If you could have a conversation with your real-life superhero, what would you talk about?
• Write a short story where you team up with a real-life superhero.
• Assess a difficulty you’re facing right now and think about how your real-life superhero would overcome it.
• Journal about what you’ve learned from your real-life superhero’s challenges and how it applies to your life.
• Identify three qualities you admire most in your real-life superhero and how you can develop them.
• Reflect on how your real-life superhero impacts you and your community.
• How has your perspective changed after learning about your real-life superhero’s journey?
• Write about a lesson you’ve learned from your real-life superhero.
• Imagine an interview with your real-life superhero, what would you ask?

Understanding Family Dynamics

Exploring family dynamics through journaling allows us to reflect on the distinct roles, interactions and patterns in our families, aiding our understanding of our personal identities and our emotional responses. Here are 20 prompts for developing understanding of family dynamics:

• Write about your favourite family memory. How did this event contribute to your family's dynamic?
• Reflect on a situation where there was a disagreement in your family. How was this resolved?
• Think about a family tradition. How does this ritual impact your family relationships?
• Describe the roles of each family member and how they interact with one another.
• Identify a time when your family had to work together to accomplish a goal. What role did you play?
• Recount an experience when a significant change occurred in your family. How did your family adapt?
• Describe how you and your siblings get along. What is unique about these relationships?
• Write about your parents' communication style. What positives and negatives do you observe?
• Reflect on how the dynamics of your family have changed as you've grown older.
• Describe the personality traits you share with your family members. How do they affect the way you interact?
• Write about someone in your family who you admire. What qualities do they embody?
• Reflect on a big decision your family had to make together. What was the outcome?
• Describe an annual family gathering. How do the dynamics play out during this event?
• Consider how your family copes with difficult situations. What strengths and weaknesses do you observe?
• Think about the values your family upholds. How are these values passed on?
• Write about how differences in opinion are addressed in your family.
• Reflect on a time when you felt misunderstood by your family. How did you handle it?
• Describe your familial connections. How do extended family members contribute to your family dynamics?
• Write about your role in the family. If you could change it, would you? Why or why not?
• Reflect on what 'family' means to you. How does your definition influence your family interactions?

Thoughts On Personal Identity

Exploring personal identity through journaling aids 6th graders in understanding themselves and their unique place in the world. Here are 20 prompts that can steer their writing towards deepening self-awareness and shaping personal identity:

• Write about a time when you felt most authentic and 'yourself'. Why was this moment significant?
• Scribble down three adjectives that best describe your personality. How do these traits manifest in your daily life?
• Reflect on an event that has significantly shaped your personal identity. Write about its impact on you.
• Jot down five personal values you hold dear. How do these values influence your actions?
• Illustrate the qualities you admire in others. Would you like to cultivate any of these characteristics?
• Recall a time when your actions upset you. How would you react differently today?
• Describe your ideal day. What does it tell you about your preferences and desires?
• Write about your personal strengths. How have these helped you overcome challenges?
• Think about one thing you'd like to change about yourself. Why is this change important to you?
• Reflect on your biggest fear and how it affects your attitudes and behaviours.
• Sketch your personal goals for the next five years. What do these goals indicate about your aspirations?
• Convey who you are using only metaphors.
• Write a letter to your future self. What advice or reminders would you give?
• Identify the roles you play in your family, friendships, and school life. How do you feel about these roles?
• Recall an instance when someone's opinion altered your self-perception. Do you agree or disagree with their view?
• Jot down your favourite hobbies and passions. How do they contribute to your sense of self?
• Describe a moment when you felt proud of yourself.
• Write about a personal challenge you're facing. How is it making you stronger or wiser?
• Recall a compliment that you received recently. How did it make you feel?
• Reflect on the biggest lesson you've learned so far in your life. What did it teach you about yourself?

School Life Chronicles

Exploring and reflecting on school life chronicles can stimulate thought-provoking responses and develop perspective that goes beyond classroom learning. Here are 20 writing prompts that revolve around school life chronicles for your 6th grade journal:

• Narrate your first day at middle school, how did you feel?
• Describe an event at school this year that made you feel proud.
• Write about your favorite class this year and why it tops your list.
• How was your relationship with your classmates developed throughout the year?
• Detail a specific challenge you overcame this year in school.
• Write about a special school event or field trip that you attended this year.
• Explain a project or assignment that you worked really hard on and the outcome.
• Describe your favorite spot in school and what makes it special.
• List three lessons you learned this year that have nothing to do with academics.
• Write about a teacher who has significantly influenced your school experience.
• Recall an unexpected act of kindness you witnessed or experienced in school.
• Write about one subject you’ve improved in and how you achieved it.
• Describe your favorite school lunch and why you love it.
• Recall a funny incident at school that made you laugh.
• Write about the most challenging homework assignment this year and how you handed it.
• Explain any changes in your school routine and how they affected you.
• Reflect on a book you read for school that you found intriguing.
• Write about a meaningful conversation you had with a friend or teacher at school.
• Narrate an event at school that made you see things from a different perspective.
• Write about how you handle your school stress and maintain balance.

Book Report Reflections

Book Report Reflections encourage improved understanding, deeper engagement, and progression of thought while reading. Below are 20 prompts to foster thoughtful reflection after completing a book report:

• Discuss the development of the protagonist throughout the story.
• Reflect on the major theme of the book and why you think the author chose it.
• Analyze the relevance of the title to the overall story.
• Describe your favorite chapter and why it compelled you the most.
• Write about a situation from the book you wish ended differently.
• Reflect on the relationship between the primary characters.
• Analyze the antagonist's motivation.
• Share your feelings upon finishing the book.
• Discuss a secondary character that you found intriguing.
• What three questions would you ask the author about the book?
• Do you think the story would change drastically if set in a different time or place?
• What would you change about the book?
• Discuss a scene that surprised you, and why.
• What personal connections did you make while reading the book?
• Reflect on the ending, did it satisfy your expectations, why or why not?
• How does the book compare to others by the same author?
• Did your opinion of the book change as you read? If so, how?
• Write about a scene that affected you emotionally.
• If you were to write a sequel, what would happen next?
• Reflect on the lessons learned and how they can be applied in real life.

Conversations With Historical Figures

Exploring conversations with historical figures in journal prompts broadens a student's understanding of history and fosters critical thinking. Here are 20 writing prompts that encourage 6th graders to engage in hypothetical dialogues with figures from the past:

• Imagine you're talking with Abraham Lincoln. What issues would you raise about his presidency?
• Write a letter to Amelia Earhart, expressing your admiration for her determination.
• Write a conversation you could have with Martin Luther King Jr. discussing the current state of civil rights.
• If you could ask Cleopatra one thing about her life, what would it be?
• Sketch a dialogue with Albert Einstein about his theory of relativity.
• Write an interview with Leonardo da Vinci, asking him about his inventions and artworks.
• Frame a discussion with Mahatma Gandhi on the topic of non-violence.
• Compose a letter to Vincent Van Gogh, offering him support during his struggles.
• Design a teatime conversation with Queen Victoria about the challenges of being a queen.
• If you could ask Rosa Parks one question about her act of defiance, what would it be?
• Craft an interview with Julius Caesar asking about his leadership style.
• Write a conversation with Anne Frank about her life in hiding.
• Compose a letter to Thomas Edison, asking about his creative process.
• Describe a chat with George Washington about the challenges of leading a new nation.
• If you got the chance to cook a meal with Julia Child, what would you ask her?
• Imagine a conversation with Neil Armstrong about what it feels like to walk on the moon.
• Write a conversation with Susan B. Anthony discussing the importance of women’s right to vote.
• Sketch a dialogue with Beethoven about how he composed music despite his deafness.
• Compose a letter to Charles Dickens asking about his inspiration for his novels.
• Imagine a conversation with Sacajawea about her journey on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Science Fiction Fantasies

Writing journal prompts on Science Fiction Fantasies allows sixth graders to travel beyond the confines of our known reality, to explore alien civilizations, future technologies, or fantastic creatures. Here are 20 writing prompts to spark your interstellar imagination:

• Imagine you're an astronaut on a newly discovered planet. What do you see, smell, and hear?
• Write a story about a (friendly) encounter with an alien species. How would you communicate?
• Think of a technology that doesn't exist today, but might in the future. How would it change everyday life?
• You've discovered a teleportation device. Where would you go and why?
• Create your own alien creature. Describe them in detail.
• What if humans could time travel? Where would you go and what would you change?
• Invent a news story about a significant event in a distant galaxy.
• Suppose Earth has to evacuate due to a natural disaster. Describe your journey to a new planet.
• Write a diary entry from the POV of a robot.
• Imagine you're a scientist and you've just invented a new kind of spaceship. Describe it.
• Plan out a day in your life, 500 years from now.
• What if you had a pet from another planet? Describe it and its unique abilities.
• Suppose you could speak the language of the stars. What would they tell you?
• Write a story about finding a mysterious, ancient alien artifact.
• Imagine you found a door to another dimension in your school locker. Where does it lead?
• Create a story about saving Earth from an incoming asteroid.
• Write a letter home, as an astronaut on a multi-year space mission.
• What if plants could talk? Write a conversation you have with a tree from a far-off moon.
• Design your own futuristic city. What makes it unique?
• Suppose you could control gravity. How would you use this ability in your daily life?

World Traveler Dreamings

Exploring World Traveler Dreamings through journaling fosters imagination, broadens understanding and fosters a sense of curiosity about different cultures and places. Here are 20 journal prompts related to World Traveler Dreamings:

• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
• Write a postcard to a friend from your dream travel destination.
• Create a bucket list of five countries you wish to visit.
• Imagine you've woken up in your favorite country. Detail your first day there.
• What are some unique customs or traditions you might encounter in your dream destination?
• Write a dialogue with a local resident from the place you wish to visit.
• Describe the flight journey to your chosen country.
• Think about a world landmark you want to see. Write about what you imagine it would feel like to stand in front of it.
• Imagine the local food at your dream destination. Write about your favorite meal.
• What would you pack in your luggage for a trip around the world?
• Write a poem about exploring a foreign city for the first time.
• Suppose you found a magical carpet that can take you anywhere. Where would you go and why?
• Are there any endangered species in the place you want to visit? Write about how you can help protect them.
• Write about a local festival or cultural event you would like to participate in at your dream destination.
• How would you explain your hometown to someone from another country?
• If you could learn a new language before you travel, which one would it be and why?
• Discuss a famous person from a country you want to visit. What would you talk about?
• How might seeing different parts of the world change your perspective?
• What aspects of your dream travel destination are you most nervous about encountering, and why?
• Imagine you could live in your dream country for a year. Write about your life there.

Magical Encounter Scenarios

Magical Encounter Scenarios invite us to unleash our imagination and infuse an element of the supernatural into our everyday experiences, opening new avenues for self-expression and creativity. Here are 20 prompts that can help you delve into the world of magical encounters in your journaling process:

• Imagine you have found a magic lamp. What are the three wishes you would ask the genie and why?
• Describe what a day would look like if you could become invisible at will.
• Write about an adventure you'd have if you had a magical talking pet.
• What if magic were real and part of daily life? How would it change your routine?
• If a magical portal opened in your school, where would it lead?
• Suppose you discovered that you could talk to animals. What conversations would you have?
• You’ve suddenly gained the ability to fly. Where would you go and why?
• Describe an encounter with a mythical creature in your neighborhood.
• If a magical mirror could show you one thing from your future, what would you want to see?
• You find a mysterious magical artifact. What does it do and how do you use it?
• What if your favorite storybook character visited you for a day?
• Imagine if you could time travel. Where and when would you go?
• Describe a magical game you invent that becomes popular in your school.
• If you were granted an extra hour every day that only you knew about, how would you use it?
• What if you woke up one day and found a unicorn in your backyard?
• How would your life change if you found a magical map of hidden treasures in your town?
• Would you risk it to drink a potion that gave you superpowers? Why or why not?
• Write about what happens when you plant a magical seed your Grandma gave you.
• You have a magical camera that can capture not only images but also emotions. What would you photograph?
• Imagine if you could transform into any animal. Which one would you choose and why?

Animal Kingdom Chronicles

Incorporating the complex and diverse world of the Animal Kingdom into journal prompts allows 6th graders to explore their curiosity while practicing their writing skills. Here are some prompts centered around the Animal Kingdom Chronicles:

• Write a day in the life of an elephant.
• Imagine you are a bird migrating for the winter. Describe your journey.
• Choose any sea creature and write about its life under the sea.
• Write a diary entry as a panda living in a zoo.
• Imagine you're a snake shedding its skin. Write about that experience.
• Write a story about a predator and its prey but with a surprising twist.
• Describe your surroundings from the perspective of an ant.
• Write a story about an unlikely friendship between two different animals.
• Imagine being a kangaroo for a day. Describe your day.
• Come up with a conversation between a group of dolphins.
• Write about the experience of a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
• Draw a scene of the rainforest and write about the sounds you might hear.
• Compare the life of a domestic cat and a lion in the wild.
• Write a letter from a pet to its owner.
• Pretend you're a spider building its web. Describe that process.
• Envision the life of a pet dog when the family is not around.
• Write a story about a group of birds building a nest.
• Pretend you are a vet and write about your day treating different kinds of animals.
• Describe a day in the life of a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter.
• Imagine you're an octopus in an aquarium. What would you think of the people watching you?

Thoughts On Teamwork

Exploring the value and dynamics of teamwork in your journal entries equips you with important life skills and fosters an understanding of collaboration strategies. Here are 20 ideations to guide you in your journey of understanding teamwork through journaling:

• Describe a time you collaborated well with a team. What was your role?
• Discuss an incident where teamwork fell apart. What do you think went wrong?
• Write about a successful team you admire. What makes them effective?
• List down three traits of an ideal team member and explain why you chose them.
• Imagine an upcoming group project. Write about your plan of action as a team member.
• Reflect on a disagreement within a team you were a part of. How would you handle it today?
• Write a letter to your teammates appreciating their participation in a group project.
• Share an idea to build a strong bond within your team.
• List the pros and cons of working in a team.
• Write about a situation where a team’s collective decision was better than an individual decision.
• Pen down your thoughts on how to manage talkative teammates during a group discussion.
• Discuss the roles and responsibilities you prefer when working in a team.
• Write about a scenario where a team overcame a massive challenge.
• Think of an event where the contributions of every team member were necessary for success.
• Write a letter to a teammate helping them understand their important role within the team.
• Write about how to respectfully interject during a discussion dominated by a single teammate.
• Reflect on the importance of diversity within a team.
• Write down your feelings when your ideas are acknowledged by your team.
• Describe your experience as the leader of a team, if you’ve had one. What were your learnings?
• Finally, pen down your thoughts on how teamwork shapes one’s character over time.

Art Inspiration

Art Inspiration through journaling allows 6th graders to creatively and effectively express their uniqe visions and passion for various forms of artwork. Let's explore some art-inspired writing prompts for sixth-grade students:

• Write about your favorite painting, how does it make you feel?
• If you were a character in a comic strip, who would you be? Describe your superpower.
• Create an imaginary world in words, then design a piece of artwork that portrays this vision.
• Remember the last museum or art exhibition you visited. Write about a piece of artwork that caught your attention.
• Describe a sculpture that resonates with your personality.
• Invent an abstract drawing on your mind, and then describe it in words.
• Write a short story inspired by pieces of broken glass.
• You have been tasked to design the book cover of your most favorite novel. Describe your design in words.
• Imagine you could only express your emotions through colors. What would happiness, sadness, anger, and excitement look like?
• Write a letter to a famous artist. What would you like to tell them?
• If you were to paint the dream you had last night, how would it look like? Describe it in your journal.
• Which art form you like the most- painting, sculpture, or music, and why?
• Design a piece of wearable art. Write about the colors, shapes, and materials you would use.
• You come across an ancient mural. Write about how you interpret the mural.
• Imagine being an art critic for a day, describe a fictitious painting in great detail and give your critique.
• Rewrite the ending of your favorite novel visually. Describe your artwork.
• If your life was a canvas, what colors would represent different stages of your life so far?
• Write about your favorite piece of art in your home. Why is it special to you?
• Imagine a public space you often visit as a blank canvas. How would you transform it artistically?
• If you could jump into a painting and live in that world, which one would it be and why?

Understanding Space And Astronomy

Understanding Space and Astronomy through journaling enriches 6th graders' perspective about our universe, inspiring curiosity and appreciation for the cosmic world. Below are 20 prompts to spark insightful interactions with Space and Astronomy in your journaling practice:

• Describe the solar system. How does understanding its vastness make you feel?
• Imagine you're an astronaut exploring a new planet. What would you see, feel, and do?
• Write about a space mission, detailing the preparation, journey, and discovery.
• List five questions you would ask an astronomer.
• What are the moon phases and how do they impact Earth?
• If you could name a star, what would you name it and why?
• What do you think life on Mars would be like?
• How does living in space affect the human body?
• Write about a day in the life of an alien on a different planet.
• What is a black hole, and what are your thoughts on it?
• If you could design your own spaceship, what features would it have?
• How can we protect our earth from space threats like asteroids?
• Write a fictional story of a space adventure.
• What would be the benefits, if any, of colonizing another planet?
• Why do seasons change? Explain the role of Earth's rotation and axis.
• How does the moon affect the tides on Earth?
• Imagine discovering a completely new galaxy. Write about what you might find there.
• Describe what the night sky looks like from your backyard. What constellations can you see?
• What is your favorite planet, and why?
• If you could chat with a famous astronaut, who would it be, and what questions would you ask them?

Cultural Exchange

Exploring Cultural Exchange via journaling allows 6th graders the chance to broaden their understanding and respect for diverse cultures, people, and ways of life. Here are 20 diverse prompts that navigate through the fascinating realm of cultural exchange:

• Write about a cultural tradition your family practices. What do you enjoy about it most?
• Explore a foreign cuisine you would love to try. Why does it interest you?
• Describe an international festival you would like to attend. What makes it appealing?
• Reflect on a traditional tale or story from another culture that you've heard or read. How did it make you feel?
• Pen down your thoughts about a holiday tradition from a culture different from yours.
• If you were to visit a country of your choice, which one would it be and why?
• List three things you'd like to learn about the culture of your chosen country.
• What's a popular sport or activity in another country that you'd like to play or do? Write your reasons.
• Write about a foreign language you would like to learn and why.
• Explore a distinctive musical instrument from a different culture that you'd want to master.
• Discuss a famous piece of artwork from another culture that captivates you.
• Describe a traditional clothing style from a different culture that you appreciate.
• Imagine you're meeting a pen pal from another country. List the questions you'll ask to learn about their culture.
• Explore few practices of a different culture that are distinct from your own.
• Write about the significance of cultural exchange in developing global understanding.
• Talk about a movie or book set in a different culture that captured your imagination.
• Describe an international ritual, celebration or practice you wish was a part of your own culture.
• Write a letter to a foreign friend explaining about your hometown's local culture and festivals.
• If you were to teach a cultural tradition of yours to a foreign friend, what would it be and why?
• Discuss how learning about diverse cultures has influenced or changed your perspective.

Sports Chronicles

"Sports Chronicles" revolves around exploring personal experiences, views, and thoughts related to different sporting activities. Here are 20 potential writing prompts that sixth graders can use to dive into this exciting theme:

• Describe your most memorable moment in a sport you play or watch.
• How could sportsmanship be displayed better in a game you recently saw or participated in?
• Write a short story about your favorite athlete's journey to success.
• Imagine you have been picked to compete in the Olympics. What sport would you choose and why?
• How does playing or watching sports make you feel?
• Discuss a time when a sport or physical activity taught you a valuable lesson.
• What is one sport you would like to try and why does it appeal to you?
• Chart out the dream team for your favorite sport, explaining why you chose each athlete.
• Write about a tough loss in a sports game and what it taught you.
• Describe the best game or sports event you have ever watched.
• If you were the coach of your school team, what are some ideas you would introduce to improve performance?
• Reflect on your favorite sports memory with a friend or family member.
• Write about your favorite sports movie or book and what you learned from it.
• What is your pre-game ritual or superstition, and why do you believe in it?
• Discuss a lesser-known sport you feel deserves more recognition and why.
• Write a letter to an athlete you admire, telling them what about them inspires you.
• Describe the most challenging aspect of your favorite sport and your strategies to overcome it.
• If you had the chance to make a new sport, what would it be like?
• Share a time when you had to work as a team in a sport and the outcome.
• Explain how practicing sports can help in other areas of life.

Favorite Hobby Exploration

Exploring favorite hobbies in journaling prompts encourages 6th graders to engage deeper with their interests, understand why they bring them joy, and perhaps discover new aspects about them. Here are 20 writing prompts focused on favorite hobby exploration:

• Describe your favorite hobby. Why does it interest you?
• How did you first become interested in this hobby?
• What is the most challenging part of this hobby and how do you handle it?
• Has there been a time you felt particularly proud while engaging in your hobby? Describe this moment.
• If you could share your hobby with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
• Write down the steps to teach your hobby to a beginner.
• How can you involve your friends or family in your hobby?
• What is one thing you want to achieve or accomplish through your hobby?
• If you could change one thing about your hobby, what would it be and why?
• Does your hobby relax you, excite you, challenge you, or all three? Explain your answer.
• Write a short story where your hobby plays a significant role.
• Who is your role model in your hobby field and why?
• How do you think your hobby could be useful in your future career?
• What are the biggest misconceptions people have about your hobby?
• What benefits have you gained from practicing your hobby?
• If you had unlimited resources, how would you enhance your hobby experience?
• How has your hobby changed or evolved since you first started?
• Do you have a special memory while practicing your hobby? Describe it.
• If your hobby were to be an animal, which would it be and why?
• Imagine you've won a trophy, medal, or achieved a milestone in your hobby. Write a thank you speech.

Technology In Everyday Life

Reflecting on the role of technology in our daily lives allows 6th graders to better understand their relationship with digital tools and the impact of advancements on societies and individuals. Here are 20 writing prompts igniting a thought process about Technology in Everyday Life:

• Jot down three ways technology has made your schoolwork easier.
• Write a brief story about a world without technology.
• Describe a scenario where technology made a situation more difficult. What would you have done differently?
• What's your favorite piece of technology and why?
• Imagine a new technology that could solve a problem you recently faced. Describe it.
• List down three ways how technology has changed your family's lifestyle.
• Imagine a day without your cell phone or any electronic gadgets. How would you feel and spend your day?
• Write about an app or a game that you think would be helpful to 6th graders.
• Describe the potential dangers that technology may pose for children of your age.
• Consider how technology has contributed to environmental issues. What are your thoughts about it?
• Write a letter to a time-traveler from the past explaining modern technology.
• Think about how technology has changed the way we communicate. Is it a positive or negative change for you?
• Imagine what technology might look like 50 years from now.
• How has technology changed the way you play or leisure time?
• Write about your favorite tech gadget you want to invent.
• Discuss how technology affects how you complete your homework. Is it easier, harder, why?
• Remember a time when technology helped you in a critical situation. Explain the situation.
• How would online schooling be different if technology was not advanced as it is today?
• Write about the dangers of too much screen time and how you can monitor and manage it.
• List some instances where you could replace technology with more traditional methods, and explain why this might be beneficial.

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Grade 6 Writing Prompts

25 exciting sixth grade writing prompts.

These Grade 6 writing prompts are the perfect way for your child to consolidate knowledge gathered on different styles of writing! Here are the categories covered in this page:

Character, Setting, Object

Metaphor story starters, story titles, general prompts.

• A wizard, A school, and a golden key
• A scientist, a house on wheels, and a time machine
• An explorer, a dark jungle, and a magical hat
• A storm chaser, a small town, and a flying car
• A sports star, a stadium, and magic shoes
• His eyes were ice and…
• There was a weight on her shoulder. She couldn’t…
• The room was a hot furnace. She had never felt…
• Hold on to your dreams because…
• Life is a rollercoaster, you have to…
• The Magical Eletiger
• Volcano Disaster
• The Cloud Explorer
• Mystery In The Night Zoo
• The New Student
• Discuss deforestation and the impact it has on the environment.
• Who is the most important historical figure and why do you think so?
• Are video games a positive or negative influence on people?
• Which morals do you think society should believe are most valuable?
• Which piece of technology do you think should not have been invented?
• What is your favorite website or app and why?
• Write a report about your favorite scientific fact.
• What book should everyone read and why?
• What would make the world a better place?
• What goals would you like to achieve in the next ten years?

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More writing prompts & activities

• Grade 6 Picture Writing Prompts
• Grade 6 Writing Activities
• Creative Writing Prompts for Kids
• Elementary Writing Prompts
• Elementary Writing Activities

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• Elementary Language Arts
• Elementary Writing Curriculum
• Language Arts Resources

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6th Grade Writing Prompts: Unlocking Imagination

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on Published: March 27, 2023  - Last updated: July 31, 2023

Categories Writing

6th Grade Writing Prompts are a valuable tool for educators and parents alike, allowing young students to explore their thoughts, feelings, and ideas through creative writing exercises. These prompts can cover various topics, from personal experiences and emotions to thought-provoking scenarios and ethical dilemmas. The aim is to encourage students to think critically and express themselves effectively while developing their writing skills.

At this crucial stage of development, providing a supportive and engaging environment for students to practice and improve their writing abilities is vital. Numerous resources offer a wealth of compelling writing prompts specifically designed for 6th graders. The prompts you’ll find below in this article can inspire students to ponder real-world issues, reflect on their personal experiences, and imagine creative solutions to hypothetical situations.

The Importance of Writing Prompts

Writing prompts play a crucial role in developing the writing skills of 6th-grade students. They provide a starting point for students to begin expressing their thoughts and ideas, helping them overcome the common challenge of “writer’s block.” As students engage with various writing prompts, they learn to think critically, express their opinions, and dive into imaginative storytelling.

By offering a diverse range of topics, such as prompts that focus on procedural writing, students are exposed to different genres and styles of writing. This variety expands their writing horizons and helps them become well-rounded, versatile writers.

Introducing writing prompts at the 6th-grade level also enhances students’ analytical and problem-solving abilities. They learn to use evidence, logic, and reasoning to support their viewpoints and persuade readers. Additionally, writing prompts allow students to explore their creativity and foster a sense of self-discovery.

Lastly, engaging with writing prompts helps 6th graders develop crucial communication skills that serve as a foundation for future academic success and life experiences. Writing prompts encourage active participation in the learning process, promote self-expression, and cultivate a lifelong love for writing.

25 6th Grade Writing Prompts

• Imagine you’ve discovered a hidden door in your home that leads to a secret room. Describe the room and what you find inside.
• Write a story about a day when everyone’s dreams come true. How does this change the world?
• If you could switch lives with any historical figure for a day, who would you choose and why? Describe your day in their shoes.
• Imagine you have a time machine that can only be used once. Where and when would you go, and what would you do?
• Write a letter to your future self ten years from now. What advice would you give, and what questions would you ask?
• Create a new holiday and explain its celebration, including unique traditions or activities.
• Write an opinion essay on whether or not students should be required to wear uniforms in school. Provide reasons to support your argument.
• Imagine you can communicate with animals. What would you talk about, and which animal would you be most excited to speak with?
• Write a short story where the main character finds a mysterious map that leads to a hidden treasure.
• You’ve been chosen to represent Earth in an intergalactic council. What would you share about our planet and its inhabitants?
• Write a persuasive essay arguing for or against using technology in the classroom.
• Create a new superhero and describe their powers, backstory, and how they use their abilities for good.
• Imagine you are the president for a day. What would be your top priorities, and how would you address them?
• Write a story that starts with the sentence: “It was a dark and stormy night…”
• Create a fictional island and describe its geography, culture, and inhabitants. What makes this island unique?
• If you could invent a new gadget or tool to make life easier, what would it be, and how would it work?
• Write a personal narrative about a time when you faced a challenge and how you overcame it.
• Imagine you could create a new class or elective for your school. What would the class be about, and why would students benefit from it?
• Write a descriptive essay about your favorite place to visit. Use vivid sensory details to make the reader feel like they are with you.
• You wake up one day to find you’ve gained the ability to read minds. How do you use this power, and what challenges or moral dilemmas do you face?
• Create a fictional holiday and write a short story about a family celebrating it for the first time.
• Write a persuasive essay about the importance of conserving natural resources and the steps that should be taken to protect our environment.
• Imagine you are a detective solving a mysterious crime. Write a story that details your investigation and how you uncover the truth.
• If you could converse with any famous author, who would it be, and what would you ask them?
• Write a personal narrative about a memorable experience with a friend and what it taught you about friendship.

Understanding the 6th Grade Writing Curriculum

The transition from elementary to middle school.

As students enter 6th grade, they transition from elementary to middle school. This brings new challenges and expectations in their writing skills. They will be expected to write more complex content and use more sophisticated vocabulary. This includes writing for extended periods, such as long-term research or expressive pieces that may take a week, and writing for shorter durations in one sitting.

Emphasis on narrative writing

In 6th grade writing curriculum, there is a strong emphasis placed on narrative writing. This requires students to develop their storytelling abilities and write in a manner that engages the reader. They will focus on creating a clear narrative structure, developing characters, setting, and plot, and using vivid descriptive language to engage their audience.

Introduction to essay writing and personal narratives

Another vital part of the 6th grade writing curriculum is the introduction to essay writing and personal narratives. Students will learn how to effectively organize their thoughts and ideas coherently and logically. They will gain experience writing various essay types, such as persuasive, informative, and argumentative. Personal narratives will also play a key role, encouraging students to write about personal experiences and emotions and helping them build their voice and style as writers.

Role of reading comprehension and vocabulary development

Reading comprehension and vocabulary development are crucial in the 6th grade writing curriculum. Students must be able to understand complex texts, as this will inform their writing. Students will be exposed to new words and phrases to improve their vocabulary through reading assignments and class discussions. Building a strong vocabulary allows students to express their ideas more accurately and clearly, ultimately leading to more effective writing.

Types of 6th Grade Writing Prompts

Narrative prompts.

Narrative prompts encourage students to tell a story, real or imagined. These prompts can range from personal experiences to creating stories based on given scenarios. For example, a narrative prompt could be “Describe the hardest thing you have ever learned to do.”

Short Story Ideas

Short story ideas are prompts that invite students to create a fictional story with characters, settings, and a plot. These writing activities push students to develop their writing skills, storytelling abilities, and creativity. An example of a short story idea might be to “Write a story about a magical forest.”

Personal Narratives

Personal narrative prompts ask students to write about their own experiences or thoughts. These types of prompts encourage reflection, introspection, and the exploration of personal feelings. A personal narrative prompt might be “Write about a time you overcame a fear.”

Story Starters

Story starters are prompts that provide the beginning of a story, challenging students to continue and develop the narrative. They help spark students’ imaginations and encourage them to think creatively. For example, “In a world where animals could talk, a young girl made a surprising discovery…”

Descriptive Prompts

Descriptive writing prompts ask students to describe a specific object, place, or situation in detail, using vivid language and sensory details. This type of prompt helps students practice their creative writing and observation skills. An example of a descriptive prompt could be “Describe your dream vacation destination.”

Persuasive Prompts

Persuasive writing prompts require students to convince the reader of a particular opinion or point of view. Students practice building strong arguments, using evidence and facts, and addressing opposing viewpoints. An example of a persuasive prompt might be “Convince your readers why cell phones should or should not be allowed in school.”

Expository Prompts

Expository writing prompts ask students to explain, evaluate or analyze a topic, providing information and facts to support their position. This style of writing promotes critical thinking and research skills. A sample expository prompt might be “Explain the benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy sources.”

Creative Writing Prompts

Encourage your students to express their emotions and creativity through poetry. Here are some poetry prompts to inspire them:

• Write a poem about the changing seasons.
• Describe your favorite place using vivid imagery and sensory details.
• Compose a haiku about an everyday object.
• Create a poem from the perspective of an animal.

Imaginative Stories

Imagination is a powerful tool for developing writers. Provide these creative story prompts to spark their ideas:

• Write a story about a school where magic is real.
• Imagine you are a time-traveling scientist. Describe your adventures.
• Develop a story that revolves around a mysterious key.
• Create a tale where the main character’s best friend is a talking animal.

Scriptwriting

Scriptwriting can build dialogue and narrative skills. Suggest these engaging scriptwriting prompts for your students:

• Write a short script about two friends with a deep secret.
• Develop a scene featuring an unexpected encounter.
• Create a script that mixes elements of reality and fantasy.
• Compose a dialogue-rich scene set in a public place.

Using these creative writing prompt categories, 6th grade students can develop their writing abilities while letting their imagination soar.

Essay Writing Prompts

In this section, we explore a variety of essay writing prompts for 6th-grade students. These prompts are categorized under opinion essays, informative essays, and persuasive essays.

Opinion Essays

Opinion essays allow students to express their thoughts on a specific subject. Here are some prompts for 6th graders:

• What is your favorite hobby, and why?
• Which is better, traditional books or e-books? Explain your choice.
• What’s the best (or worst) birthday you’ve ever had?
• What is your greatest aspiration? Or, your darkest fear?

Informative Essays

Informative essays help students develop research and presentation skills. They should provide factual information about a topic. Here are some informative essay prompts:

• Describe your favorite short story in your own words.
• Write about the life cycle of a butterfly.
• Explain the process of photosynthesis in plants.
• Describe the history and importance of a famous landmark.

Persuasive Essays

Persuasive essays help students to develop their argumentative skills. They should present clear reasons and evidence to support their opinion. Here are some persuasive essay prompts:

• Should school uniforms be mandatory? Why or why not?
• Is it essential to learn a foreign language? Explain your view.
• Do video games have a positive or negative impact on children?
• Should students be allowed to use mobile phones in school? Provide reasons for your opinion.

Subject-Specific Prompts

Integrating subject-specific writing prompts can help students connect their writing skills to various subjects. This section will explore writing prompts for Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Math, and Life Skills.

Language Arts

Language Arts writing prompts encourage students to analyze literature, express their thoughts, and improve their vocabulary. Examples include:

• Write a character analysis of the protagonist in your favorite book.
• Create a poem describing a historical event.
• Compose a short story inspired by a well-known myth.

Science writing prompts assist students in describing experiments, explaining scientific concepts, and making real-world connections. Examples include:

• Describe the steps of the water cycle and its importance to Earth.
• Explain the theory of evolution and provide examples of natural selection.
• Write about the role of technology in reducing the environmental impact of humans.

Social Studies

Social Studies writing prompts help students to explore historical events, cultural perspectives, and global issues. Examples include:

• Write an essay comparing the government systems of two countries.
• Discuss the significance of a famous historical figure’s actions.
• Analyze the impact of a specific geographical feature on human settlement.

Math writing prompts challenge students to apply mathematical concepts in various contexts and describe the logic behind problem-solving. Examples include:

• Explain how to solve a given math problem using the order of operations.
• Describe a real-world scenario where fractions are used and explain how to solve it.
• Discuss the role of geometry in architecture and provide examples.

Life Skills

Life Skills writing prompts encourage students to reflect on their personal experiences, goals, and values. Examples include:

• Write a letter to your future self, discussing the lessons you’ve learned and the goals you hope to accomplish.
• Discuss the importance of effective communication in relationships and provide examples.
• Explain the steps to achieving a specific personal goal and the challenges you may encounter.

Framework for Developing Prompts

When developing 6th grade writing prompts, balancing challenging and engaging topics is crucial. This allows students to explore new concepts while encouraging creativity and critical thinking. The framework presented in this section offers a few guiding principles for crafting effective prompts for this age group.

First, consider the interests and experiences of 6th grade students. Choosing topics related to their lives and what they care about will increase their motivation to write. For example, you might create prompts about the school, friendships, hobbies, or current events.

Next, design prompts that encourage a variety of writing genres, such as narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive. This helps students develop skills in different writing styles and formats. For example, a narrative prompt might ask students to tell a story about a memorable experience, while an expository prompt might ask them to explain how a particular invention works.

Ensure to include prompts requiring students to practice critical thinking and problem-solving. These prompts often involve solving a given situation, analyzing a topic, or comparing and contrasting ideas. This helps 6th graders develop analytical and evaluative skills essential for academic and personal success.

Lastly, incorporate opportunities for reflection and self-expression. Reflective prompts allow students to examine their feelings, beliefs, and ideas. For example, ask students to consider how they would handle a specific dilemma or what they appreciate most about their family or friends.

Following these guiding principles, you can create a diverse collection of 6th-grade writing prompts that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression.

Techniques to Engage Students

Creating meaningful and engaging writing prompts for sixth-grade students involves considering their interests, skills, and development stage. Several techniques can help achieve this.

First, one can use creative prompts to encourage students to think outside the box and express their unique perspectives. Some examples of creative writing prompts for sixth graders include writing a poem about feeling outraged or imagining a day from a cell phone’s perspective.

Next, incorporating argumentative and persuasive prompts can help students learn to articulate their opinions and support them with strong evidence. This is particularly useful in developing research and critical-thinking skills. Examples include writing a persuasive essay on a current issue or debating the merits of a controversial book or movie.

Another effective technique involves using real-world connections in prompts to make them more relevant and applicable to students’ lives. For instance, ask students to write about their first hospital experience or discuss how technology has impacted their daily routines.

Lastly, integrating different writing styles like narrative, expository, and descriptive prompts will allow students to experiment with various writing techniques and improve their writing skills. Examples include composing a personal narrative about overcoming a challenge, writing an expository essay on a historical event, or crafting a descriptive piece about a favorite place or object.

Assessing and Providing Feedback

One of the key aspects of 6th Grade Writing Prompts is the assessment and provision of constructive feedback to students. Assessing their writing skills helps teachers identify strengths and weaknesses and guide future instruction tailored to student needs.

When evaluating student writing, it’s essential to consider various aspects, such as content, organization, word choice, sentence structure, and grammar. Providing specific and actionable feedback allows students to improve their skills and better understand writing concepts.

A helpful approach for grading and feedback is to use rubrics. Rubrics offer a structured way to outline the expectations for a writing assignment and help students understand the evaluation criteria. There are different types of rubrics, such as analytic, holistic, grid, numeric, and hybrid, which can be customized to suit a variety of writing prompts.

Another strategy for providing effective feedback is ensuring students know the learning objectives and quality expectations for their writing assignments. Explicitly discussing the writing goals and criteria helps students focus their efforts and self-assess their progress.

Lastly, integrating student-teacher conferences or peer review sessions can benefit the feedback process. These sessions allow for dialogue, clarification, and additional insights from different perspectives.

6th Grade Writing Prompts

If your 6th grader enjoys creative writing, print this free 6th grade writing prompts PDF. With worksheet was created t0 help aspiring writers and language arts teachers. There are 20 writing prompts to get your pen moving. Some of the writing prompts are intellectually challenging, while others are fun and will inspire your imagination.

Click the image thumbnail below to download the PDF version. Alternatively, you can read online by scrolling further down the page.

6th Grade Writing Prompts List

• The year is 1700, and you are in charge of starting a colony in the New World. Name your colony, and describe how you would build it. What challenges would you face, and how would you overcome them?
• You meet a wise man at the top of a mountain, who knows all the answers. He will let you ask him one question. What do you ask?
• Humans have colonized Mars, and now you are on a space ship traveling to the new Martian settlement. Describe your thoughts about traveling to this new planet. Why are you going? What will you see? Who will you meet?
• The year is 1880, and your sailing ship has just crashed on a tropical island in the Pacific. How will you survive?
• You have just found a time machine. What happens next?
• What is the difference between hearing and listening?
• Your space ship has been sucked through a black hole and miraculously you have survived the trip to the other side. Describe what you encounter.
• If you could not longer use a cell phone for an entire year, how would you communicate with people?
• You’re a detective in the 1930s. Write a story about your first case.
• How did computers affect the world?
• Invent a new holiday. Describe what you’re celebrating and some traditions that go along with the holiday.
• Name one problem that currently exists in the world. How would you solve it?
• What is your definition of creativity? How are you creative?
• Write an autobiographical haiku.
• Write a plot summary of a story that contains three fictional characters from three separate books by three different authors.
• Write myth explaining how the world was created.
• Write a story about a superhero with a ridiculous superpower.
• You’re spending the day with the wizard Merlin. Write down some of the wise lessons he teaches you.
• The campfire grew out of control…
• Describe your life if you lived during the Middle Ages.

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Have You Seen Our List of Favorite Graphic Novels?

150 Inspiring Picture Writing Prompts To Spark Creativity (Free Google Slides)

Use a picture to write a thousand words!

Creative writing is a challenge for many students, often because they can’t come up with anything to write about. That’s why we love picture writing prompts. Each one sparks the imagination and helps young writers jump right into crafting a story to match. We rounded up a whole collection of intriguing images to help kids in grades K-12 along. Plus we designed a set of free Google Slides featuring all of the prompts so you can easily share them with students.

Tip: Start by showing students the picture (or let them choose from among several) without making any comment about what they’re seeing. For kids who still struggle to get started, suggest a potential title or opening sentence, like the examples included here.

Don’t miss our free downloadable. Grab your full set of ready-to-go Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides with all of the prompts below.

Elementary Picture Writing Prompts

Middle school picture writing prompts, high school picture writing prompts, art picture writing prompts.

When kids first see these picture writing prompts, they may or may not immediately feel inspired. Try asking general questions like these to get them started:

• What are the names of the people or animals in the picture?
• How do you think the people or animals in the picture are feeling?
• How would you describe the setting, including the weather, sounds, smells, etc.?
• What do you think the people or animals are saying or are about to say?
• What happened right before this picture was taken? What will happen next?

Included below are more questions for each image to boost creativity, along with potential titles and opening lines.

Opening Line Idea: When Larry fell in love, he fell hard.

Jump-Start Questions: Where did the dog get the rose? Who or what is the dog bringing the rose to? Can the dog talk like a human?

Ask for a Sign

Opening Line Idea: When the new sign appeared on Main Street, everyone in town wondered exactly what it meant. ADVERTISEMENT

Jump-Start Questions: Does the sign read “ask,” or do the letters A-S-K stand for something else instead? Who put up the sign, and why? Why is the sign lit up during the day when no other lights are on?

Snowy Footprints

Opening Line Idea: After that crazy day, all that was left to show for it was footprints in the snow.

Jump-Start Questions: How many different people made these prints? Is this snow, or could it be some other white substance? Were the people who made these prints walking or running?

Dinosaur Bones

Opening Line Idea: “Come with me if you want to live!” Ash said, reaching out a hand.

Jump-Start Questions: What creature is this the skull of? Why is the person inside the skull in the first place? Is the person in the picture asking for help or inviting someone to join them inside the skull?

Undersea Treasure

Opening Line Idea: For years, no one saw the locked treasure chest but the local fish, who wondered what it could contain.

Jump-Start Questions: Who left this treasure chest here, and when? What are three different things that could be inside? Do the bubbles mean there’s something alive inside the chest?

A Game of Fetch

Opening Line Idea: To Scout, it was a game, but to Mr. Freezy, it was much more.

Jump-Start Questions: Are the dog and snowperson friends? Who built the snowperson, and where did they get the hat? Who does the dog belong to?

Ladybug Gossip

Opening Line Idea: The ladybug’s picnic was an excellent chance to meet up with old friends and hear all the latest gossip.

Jump-Start Questions: Are these ladybugs friends or enemies? Are the leaves very small, or are the ladybugs very big? Was this picture taken in a garden, a wild meadow, or some other place?

Opening Line Idea: We met them when they peeked into our window, watching us as we watched cartoons.

Jump-Start Questions: Are these children looking into their own house or someone else’s? Do they want to come inside or would they rather stay outside? Who is looking at the children from the other side of the window?

King of the Jungle

Opening Line Idea: It wasn’t the crown that made Amari the king of all he surveyed.

Jump-Start Questions: Is this lion in the wild or in captivity like a zoo? Is the crown real, or is the lion imagining it? How does the person taking the photo feel about the lion?

The Final Pitch

Opening Line Idea: It all came down to this—the final pitch in a game that was tied 2-2.

Jump-Start Questions: Does the player hit the ball, and if so, do they make it to a base? What is the score of the game so far? How did the player get dirt on their knees?

Doggie Massage

Opening Line Idea: Every dog in the neighborhood knew that Rocky gave the best massages and was always willing to lend an ear too.

Jump-Start Questions: Do these two dogs know each other, or did they just meet? Is the dog on the right feeling happy, annoyed, or something else? Give three different reasons why the dogs are sitting like this.

Skateboard Life

Opening Line Idea: When Charli got her first skateboard, she made herself a promise.

Jump-Start Questions: What does the graffiti on the wall mean, and how did it get there? Where did this girl get her skateboard from? Who taught her how to skateboard?

Garden of the Past

Opening Line Idea: The woman walked in the garden every day, never saying a word.

Jump-Start Questions: Where and when does this garden grow? Who planted this garden and why? What will the woman do with the flowers she is picking?

Sunset Friends

Opening Line Idea: They met on the jungle gym every day at sunset, sharing everything about their days.

Jump-Start Questions: Was this photo taken in the morning or the evening? What time of year is it? Are the children playing on the jungle gym or just hanging out and talking?

Pink Umbrellas

Opening Line Idea: When the pink umbrellas first appeared, Toni thought they might be magic.

Jump-Start Questions: Where and when was this picture taken? Who hung the pink umbrellas? Who lives in the buildings along this alley?

Firefly Forest

Opening Line Idea: Olivia was surprised to discover that the fireflies didn’t just glow, they also sang.

Jump-Start Questions: Are all the lights in this picture fireflies, or is something else glowing? What does this forest sound and smell like? Would you want to be in this forest alone in the middle of the night?

Robot Spider

Opening Line Idea: When it first crawled ashore, the mechanical spider moved slowly.

Jump-Start Questions: Was this robot spider built by humans, or does it come from another planet? Does the spider run on its own, or is there a person or creature inside it? Where is the spider now, and where is it going?

Fallen House

Opening Line Idea: Staring at their house, which was now on its side, the whole family was in shock.

Jump-Start Questions: Who used to live in this house? Was anyone inside the house when it fell, and are they OK? What caused the house to fall but not be completely destroyed?

Red Riding Hood

Opening Line Idea: If only she’d been riding her faithful steed the day she’d met the Big Bad Wolf, things might have been very different.

Jump-Start Questions: Why is the girl barefoot? Why is the horse wearing a necklace? Who gave the girl her red hood and cape?

Kangaroo Fall

Opening Line Idea: “Well, this is embarrassing,” thought Bouncer, as laughter filled the air around him.

Jump-Start Questions: Did this kangaroo fall over, or is it just lying down? Where does the kangaroo live? Is there anything in the picture to explain what the kangaroo is doing?

Opening Line Idea: Daci’s big brother said her signs wouldn’t help them find their runaway cat, but he was wrong.

Jump-Start Questions: Is this sign about a real lost cat? Who drew the picture? Does anyone ever find the lost cat?

Penguin Bookshop

Opening Line Idea: A visit to Sir Pickerel’s Penguin Bookshop is always an adventure.

Jump-Start Questions: Does the penguin own the bookstore, or is he only shopping there? Where did the penguin get his hat? What kind of books does the penguin like best?

Opening Line Idea: Of all the eggs in the carton, Ella was the one who could always crack you up.

Jump-Start Questions: Who colored these eggs? Are these real bird eggs or are they made of something else? Where are these eggs, and why are they there?

Opening Line Idea: That was the year Min was finally tall enough to ride the Sky Swings, but now she wasn’t so sure.

Jump-Start Questions: How high are these swings? Would you want to ride the swings? How would you feel if you were soaring through the air?

Rubber Duck Parade

Opening Line Idea: It was truly an honor to be asked to lead the Spring Duck Parade.

Jump-Start Questions: Who put these ducks in the gutter? Are the ducks having fun, or are they being forced to be there? What would you do if you were walking along and saw these ducks?

Teddy Story Time

Opening Line Idea: Every afternoon, the three friends gathered for story time in their favorite spot in the woods.

Jump-Start Questions: What book are the bears reading? Where did the bears get the book? Are the bears all the same age?

Underwater School

Opening Line Idea: Nia thought going to school underwater would be exciting, but some days she really missed going outside for recess.

Jump-Start Questions: How does the child in the picture feel as she looks out the window? Where is the child? Why does the room look so dark?

Opening Line Idea: The day Amos started his journey down the river, the sun was shining brightly.

Jump-Start Questions: What body of water is the ball floating in? How did it get there? Who does the ball belong to?

Turtle Trouble

Opening Line Idea: “None shall pass,” growled the old sea turtle, blocking the way.

Jump-Start Questions: What body of water is the turtle swimming in? How old is the turtle? How did the person who took the picture get so close to the turtle?

Dinosaur Race

Opening Line Idea: Pia was supposed to keep Balthazar on a leash, but once they reached the forest, she set him free and they both began to run.

Jump-Start Questions: What kind of dinosaur is this? Where are the girl and the dinosaur running to (or running from)? Is the dinosaur wild or the girl’s pet?

Finally Seeing Eye to Eye

Opening Line Idea: “So, we meet at last, face-to-face,” Lord Squeakerton said to his enemy, the Count of Catnip.

Jump-Start Questions: How did the mouse get onto the cat’s nose? How does the cat feel about the mouse being there? Are the cat and mouse friends or enemies?

Opening Line Idea: It takes a lot to surprise a monkey, but you don’t see something like this every day.

Jump-Start Questions: What is the monkey looking at? How was the monkey feeling at that moment? If there was a speech bubble coming out of the monkey’s mouth, what would it say?

Not Coming Out

Opening Line Idea: The day started out normally enough, but by the end, Chris knew he was in over his head.

Jump-Start Questions: Is the child hiding, playing, or doing something else? Is the child at home or at someone else’s house? Are the child’s feet cold without socks?

Life on Other Planets

Opening Line Idea: “Hurry up,” Grnklor told his robopup. “We have to get back inside before nightfall.”

Jump-Start Questions: What planet is this? Are the creatures robots, aliens, or something else? Could you breathe the air if you were standing on this planet?

Reindeer Games

Opening Line Idea: The wind had died down, but the setting sun seemed to take all the warmth of the day with it.

Jump-Start Questions: Is the sun rising or setting? Who does the tricycle on the right belong to? Where are the child and the reindeer going, and why is the deer wearing a harness?

Something To Celebrate

Opening Line Idea: Their classmates could hear their shouts of joy from all the way down the hall.

Jump-Start Questions: What is showing on the computer screen? How do these kids know each other? Where are these kids?

Home Sweet Mushroom

Opening Line Idea: When the fairies that lived in the garden invited her to stay with them for awhile, Maria wasn’t sure what to expect.

Jump-Start Questions: Who lives in the mushroom? Is this mushroom very big, or are the creatures who live in it very small? Did the mushroom grow this way, or did someone turn it into a house?

Loch Ness Mystery

Opening Line Idea: “There it is! I told you Nessie is real!” Angus whispered to Lee.

Jump-Start Questions: Is the creature in the picture real or a statue of some kind? If it’s a statue, who put it there and why? How was the person who took this picture feeling at this moment?

Lonely Bear

Opening Line Idea: It was hard to say who was lonelier that night, Amil or his lost stuffed bear, Jasper.

Jump-Start Questions: Who does the bear belong to? Is its owner nearby, or is the bear lost? How old is the bear?

Sometimes You Lose

Opening Line Idea: When his team lost the championship, Miguel was crushed, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.

Jump-Start Questions: Why is the boy upset? What would the boy’s friends say to him? What would his parents say to him?   

Middle school writing prompts can be a little more complex, with pictures that have a lot of potential interpretations. You can use the same questions to kick-start creative thinking as you would with elementary students (see above), plus deeper questions like these:

• How does the picture make you feel?
• Who took the picture and why?
• What incidents led up to the moment of the image?
• What are three different things that could happen next?
• Does this picture take place in the past, present, or future?

Opening Line Idea: Morgan was incredibly proud of those shoes, paid for entirely with money from after-school jobs.

Jump-Start Questions: Who is wearing the shoes? Would you like to have shoes like this? Imagine the shoes a year from now, dirty and worn; how did they get that way?

Never Lose Hope

Opening Line Idea: With his last bit of energy, Kai scrawled his message in the wet paint.

Jump-Start Questions: Who wrote this message and why? Where is this message written? Who might see and be inspired by the message?

Opening Line Idea: The keyboard button could only be used once, and no one knew exactly what happened when you pressed it.

Jump-Start Questions: Who created this keyboard? Would you press the button? How would you keep from pressing this button accidentally?

Piano Lessons

Opening Line Idea: Before she could even speak, Arya was drawn to the black and white keys.

Jump-Start Questions: Where is this piano, and who does it belong to? Will the child touch the keys gently or bang on them loudly? What song would you play on this piano?

Opening Line Idea: There was no doubt about it, this was was indeed a very special kind of garden.

Jump-Start Questions: Is this a very tiny baby or a very large fern? Who does the baby belong to? Would you like to sleep rolled up in a plant?

Opening Line Idea: No matter how you looked at it, it had been a very rough day to be the Easter Bunny.

Jump-Start Questions: How did the bunny get so dirty? Is this a large bunny, or a person wearing a bunny suit? Where has the bunny been, and where is it going?

Empty Chairs

Opening Line Idea: By sunset, all four chairs were empty, and the only signs of life were the gulls swooping down from above.

Jump-Start Questions: Why is one chair a different color from the others? Are these chairs abandoned or just empty temporarily? Why are the seagulls so interested in the chairs?

Floating Treasure

Opening Line Idea: To the birds, it was simply a convenient place to land, but Ali and I knew it was much more than that.

Jump-Start Questions: Would you open this chest if you found it, without knowing what’s inside? What are the spiky shapes on the left side of the picture? Is the bird on the right really there, or is it just a shadow?

Shadow Question

Opening Line Idea: That was the day they discovered that just because you were invisible didn’t mean your shadow was.

Jump-Start Questions: How was this image created, and why? Who do the shoes belong to? How do optical illusions make you feel?

Letter and Key

Opening Line Idea: The day she turned 12, Vivi’s aunt handed her an envelope containing a key … and the family secret.

Jump-Start Questions: What would you hope to find in an old letter like this? How old is the key? Where has this letter been before now?

Space Target

Opening Line Idea: Onyx paused, knowing that once their arrow hit the target, there was no knowing what would happen.

Jump-Start Questions: Is this planet in our galaxy? Is the person pictured a human, a robot, or an alien? What will happen if the person hits the target or misses it?

Mermaid Mystery

Opening Line Idea: It was a mermaid—or was it?

Jump-Start Questions: Is this creature floating in water or in the air? What would you do if you woke up like this one day? How is the creature feeling at this moment?

World on a String

Opening Line Idea: Her dad had promised to give her the world, but she wasn’t expecting three more planets as well.

Jump-Start Questions: Why is the girl holding a suitcase? Who gave the girl the balloons? What does it mean to “have the world on a string”?

Bee Standoff

Opening Line Idea: “This flower ain’t big enough for the both of us!” said Bianca.

Jump-Start Questions: Are the bees from the same colony or rival colonies? Why is this flower so special to the bees? Do you think the bees are cute or scary?

Solitary Seat

Opening Line Idea: For as long as anyone could remember, Angus McGee spent his evenings in the same chair next to the woodstove.

Jump-Start Questions: How long has it been since anyone sat in this chair? What are the books on the floor? What do you think is in the bag on the left?

Best Friends

Opening Line Idea: When you decide to run away from home forever, you can’t possibly leave your best friend behind.

Jump-Start Questions: How is the girl feeling? How far do you think she has already walked? If you were running away from home, what would you take with you?

Dinosaur Demise

Opening Line Idea: In retrospect, setting the time machine to randomly choose any day and time in the past might not have been such a good idea.

Jump-Start Questions: If you were standing here watching this scene, what would you do? Do these dinosaurs survive whatever happens next? Would you stop the asteroid from killing off the dinosaurs if you could?

Magic Lamps

Opening Line Idea: “Choose wisely,” said the old shopkeeper, “for only one of these lamps is truly magic.”

Jump-Start Questions: Are these lamps brand-new or very old and well cared for? Do you think a magic genie living in a lamp would be good or evil? What wishes would you make, and what would happen if they came true?

Message in a Bottle

Opening Line Idea: The message floated at sea for more than 50 years before the day we found it on the beach.

Jump-Start Questions: If you found a bottle like this, would you open it on your own or invite others to join you? What would you do with the letter inside? How far do you think this bottle has traveled?

Barrel Boat

Opening Line Idea: Of all the ways to impress someone, Jonah thought to himself, this had to be one of the most ridiculous.

Jump-Start Questions: Why is this person in a barrel instead of a boat? Do you think this looks like fun, or would it be scary? Why is the person wearing a life jacket?

Dragon Guardian

Opening Line Idea: When your parents give you your own dragon guardian, your childhood is bound to be enchanted.

Jump-Start Questions: Is this dragon real or the child’s imaginary friend? Is the dragon young or old? How does the child feel about the dragon?

Octopus’s Garden

Opening Line Idea: Wouldn’t you like to be under the sea, in an octopus’s garden in the shade?

Jump-Start Questions: Where was this picture taken? Is the octopus attacking the person or just swimming nearby? How much oxygen does the person have left in their tank?

Around the Corner

Opening Line Idea: After finally pressing “send,” she couldn’t resist peeking around the corner to watch him read the text.

Jump-Start Questions: Do these kids know each other? Does the person in front know the other person is watching them? Who does the car in the distance belong to?

Beam Me Up!

Opening Line Idea: Milo’s earliest memory was of watching his beloved tricycle float into the sky above him, caught in a beam of light.

Jump-Start Questions: Is the tricycle going up or coming down? Where is the light coming from? How does the child in the picture feel right now?

Poison Apple

Opening Line Idea: To join the club, all Aaron had to do was creep up and snatch the apple from the skeleton’s hand without being seen.

Jump-Start Questions: Whose skeleton is this? Is the apple safe to eat? Would you eat this apple?

Giraffe Council

Opening Line Idea: “It is now 3 p.m., and I call this meeting of the Mighty Council of Giraffes to order,” announced Imari.

Jump-Start Questions: Why are these giraffes gathered together? What do giraffes like to talk about? Would you like to be a giraffe?

Mystery Creature

Opening Line Idea: At first glance, it was hard to tell whether the little creature was friend or foe.

Jump-Start Questions: Is this creature big or small? Is it alone, or are there others like it? Would you keep this creature as a pet?

Opening Line Idea: As the sky turned orange, Keisha ran faster than ever and used the last of her energy to push off and soar over the water below.

Jump-Start Questions: Why is this person running? Do they make the jump or fall into the water? Is this person jumping or floating?

The End of Days

Opening Line Idea: Despite their best efforts, they arrived too late—the battle had already begun.

Jump-Start Questions: Is the person going to the city or away from it? Who is attacking and why? What would you do if you saw this scene taking place?

Out of the Book

Opening Line Idea: “Happily ever after” was about to take on a whole new meaning.

Jump-Start Questions: Where is the light coming from in the book? Does the woman know she’s a book character? What will the mouse do when it sees the woman?

Stopped Clock

Opening Line Idea: I was sure that the time on the broken clock was the clue to solving the mystery.

Jump-Start Questions: How long has this clock been stopped at 11:17? Does the clock still work? Who does the clock belong to?

Dueling Webs

Opening Line Idea: It’s never a good idea to build your web too close to another spider’s, but this time she had no choice.

Jump-Start Questions: How do spiderwebs and spiders make you feel? Were these webs made by one spider or two? Would you knock down these webs or leave them alone?

Do Shoes Grow on Trees?

Opening Line Idea: The day I threw my own shoes into the tree was the day I really started to grow up.

Jump-Start Questions: Who threw the first pair of shoes into the tree and why? If you saw a nice pair of shoes, would you try to get them down? Would you throw your own shoes into the tree?

Abstract Art

Opening Line Idea: “So,” asked their art teacher, “what do you think this painting means?”

Jump-Start Questions: Is the paint wet or dry? Is this the whole painting or a small part of a larger one? Who chose these colors and why?

Wandering Robots

Opening Line Idea: Everything about NB-317 was made of cardboard except his heart—that was made of flesh and blood and very capable of being broken.

Jump-Start Questions: Who built this robot? Can the robot smell the flowers? Does the robot belong to someone, or is it an independent being?

Dream Come True

Opening Line Idea: It all started when Quinn watched her favorite movie the night before they assigned partners for the eighth grade science fair project.

Jump-Start Questions: What is in the balloons to allow them to lift and carry a house? Is the house coming up or going down? Would you want to be inside the house right now?

Mysterious Cave

Opening Line Idea: The cave was unlike anything we’d ever seen before, and what was more, it almost seemed like the rock was alive.

Jump-Start Questions: What made these shapes? What do the shapes look like to you? If this were a rock formation, would you want to explore it?

Storm at Sea

Opening Line Idea: As the rain lashed his face and lightning tore apart the sky, Kiran had to admit he’d always thought it would be a lot more fun being a pirate.

Jump-Start Questions: Is anyone on the ship, or is it abandoned? If you were the captain, what would you be thinking right now? What would happen if the ship capsized or was struck by lightning?

Grasshopper Close-Up

Opening Line Idea: That’s when Javed realized it wasn’t that the grasshopper was too big—it was that he was suddenly very, very small.

Jump-Start Questions: Is this grasshopper cute or scary? What is the grasshopper looking at? Would you pick up this grasshopper or shoo it away?

UFO Parking

Opening Line Idea: “Well, that’s convenient,” Javdok remarked to Qabow when they saw the sign.

Jump-Start Questions: Where is this sign located, and who hung it? Would spaceships need parking lots on land, or could you just leave them in the sky and beam down? Do you think this parking lot is free, and if not, how much does it cost to park a spaceship?   

High school writers are ready to dig deep, exploring character development and detailed plots. These pictures offer a jumping-off point to set their imaginations free. Try questions like these:

• What mood does the picture evoke?
• If your friend texted you this picture with no explanation, what would you think?
• What would you say to the person in the picture?
• Write five words for each of the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) related to the picture.
• Is this picture the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story?

Cyborg Girl

Opening Line Idea: When she was 14, Tasha’s parents finally told her the truth about what she really was.

Jump-Start Questions: Is the cyborg crying or malfunctioning? Who chose the cyborg’s clothes? Has the girl always known she is a cyborg?

BBQ Cookout

Opening Line Idea: “So, I’m guessing no one told you I’m a vegetarian?” asked Sadie with a smile.

Jump-Start Questions: What would you do if you were invited to a meal where there was nothing you could eat? Does this meal look delicious or disgusting? Would you rather be the one grilling or the one cleaning up afterward?

Opening Line Idea: The latest app was like a time machine, allowing people to look back in time, but it also had a dark side.

Jump-Start Questions: What is the man thinking about? Why is the baby picture the only part of the image that’s in color? Would you like to be able to see a picture of what you’ll look like when you’re 80 years old?

Opening Line Idea: She was surrounded by people but never felt more alone.

Jump-Start Questions: What does the woman’s sign say? Is this person homeless, or is she sitting on the street for another reason? Where will this person sleep tonight?

Hippo Troubles

Opening Line Idea: Like all parents, hippos sometimes really need a break from their kids.

Jump-Start Questions: Where do these hippos live? Does the mother hippo feel love for her baby? What would happen if a bee flew into the baby hippo’s mouth?

iPad Farmer

Opening Line Idea: Grandpa Jack never failed to surprise us.

Jump-Start Questions: What will the man do with the vegetables on his lap? Is this man a farmer or just someone who likes to garden on the weekend? Does it surprise you to see this man using technology in this setting?

Marching Band Blues

Opening Line Idea: Kaleel sat sadly on the bench, watching the rest of the band march away in jaunty time to the music.

Jump-Start Questions: Where is the rest of the marching band, and why isn’t this man with them? How long has the man owned the instrument, and who taught him to play? What kinds of music does this man like to listen to?

Never-Ending Tunnel

Opening Line Idea: The tunnel seemed to stretch to infinity, but Jayma knew what was at the end, and it terrified her.

Jump-Start Questions: Does this tunnel scare you or intrigue you? Would you rather walk, run, Rollerblade, or ride a skateboard from one end to the other? If the lights suddenly went out, what would you do?

Carving Out Love

Opening Line Idea: For years, we wondered who “WP” was, and who it was who loved them so much they carved it into a tree for all to see.

Jump-Start Questions: Would you ever carve someone’s initials in a tree? Is carving initials in a tree the same as spray-painting graffiti? Would you feel bad if you had to cut this tree down and burn it for firewood?

Glowing Globe

Opening Line Idea: Just then, the globe began to glow, and Jaxson knew he was about to leap through space and time once again—destination unknown.

Jump-Start Questions: What causes the globe to glow? Is the globe of Earth or another celestial body? What is the man pointing to?

See No Evil

Opening Line Idea: It seemed like a funny joke to pose the skeletons in front of old Mrs. Petoski’s house, but then she turned up dead, and the police said it was murder.

Jump-Start Questions: Who put these skeletons here and why? Which is worse: seeing evil, hearing evil, or speaking evil? How would you feel if you knew these were actual human skeletons, not props?

Upside Down

Opening Line Idea: It’s an odd feeling to wake up one morning and find yourself able to walk on the ceiling.

Jump-Start Questions: What would the advantages and disadvantages of defying gravity be? Can this person go outside without floating away? Why is the microwave on top of the tall refrigerator?

Face at the Fence

Opening Line Idea: So much depended on which side of the fence you were on.

Jump-Start Questions: Is this child on the outside looking in or the inside looking out? What might the fence be separating the child from? What would happen if the child tried to climb the fence?

Bicycle Race

Opening Line Idea: Finley had trained too hard for this race to come in third—it just wasn’t good enough.

Jump-Start Questions: Are these bikers competing, working as a team, or just biking for fun? What does the front biker’s arm tattoo symbolize? Is coming in second or third the same as losing?

Family Travels

Opening Line Idea: In the picture, my grandmother’s expression is hard to interpret, but she’s told me the story many times.

Jump-Start Questions: What’s in the bags? If you saw this family pulled over on the side of the road, would you stop and ask if they needed help? Who gave the girl the ring she’s wearing on her finger?

Laundromat Antics

Opening Line Idea: Dani never expected to meet her first love feet first.

Jump-Start Questions: Is it safe for this person to be inside the washing machine? What would happen if someone closed the door and walked away? Would you ever crawl inside a washing machine or dryer?

Opening Line Idea: Molly’s mom probably didn’t mean for her to be the one to find the note, but that’s how things turned out.

Jump-Start Questions: What would you do if you found this note and ring? What is the writer sorry for? Would you ever leave a note like this?

Through the Storm

Opening Line Idea: Javier knew it would have been smarter to stay put, but he had to make sure his mom was safe before the worst of the storm arrived.

Jump-Start Questions: Do you think it would be fun to be driving this truck or too dangerous? What would make you drive around in a storm like this? What will the scene look like after the storm has passed?

Lifetime Friends

Opening Line Idea: They’d been friends for as long as they could remember—even longer, in fact.

Jump-Start Questions: Who is holding the babies, and how do they know each other? What are the expressions on the babies’ faces right now? Is the baby on the right reaching for the other baby’s pacifier?

Stray Kitten

Opening Line Idea: “I am NOT taking you home with me,” Kai told the tiny mewling kitten firmly.

Jump-Start Questions: Would you pick this kitten up and take it home? Is the kitten’s mother nearby? Why is the kitten meowing at the person?

Abandoned Greenhouse

Opening Line Idea: Willow was free to leave at any time, but she couldn’t make herself go.

Jump-Start Questions: Who built this structure and when? How did the woman get inside? Would you rather knock this structure down or renovate it?

Opening Line Idea: Amani’s earliest memory was razor wire—miles and miles of it.

Jump-Start Questions: Does this fence make you feel safe or anxious? What does this fence separate? If you had to get past this fence, what would you do?

Church Graveyard

Opening Line Idea: Everyone feels differently in a graveyard, but for me, they’re very peaceful places.

Jump-Start Questions: Who wrote the epitaphs on the front two graves? Do you find this cemetery peaceful or creepy, and would you feel differently at night? Does anyone ever bring flowers to these graves?

Orb of Death

Opening Line Idea: “Do you really want to know?” Death asked. “Because once you know, you won’t be able to forget.”

Jump-Start Questions: Is the globe showing a reflection or a vision? If Death offered to reveal your future, would you accept? Who did the skull on the left belong to in life?

Missed Shot

Opening Line Idea: Steve was sure his shot would make it, but it bounced off the rim just as the buzzer rang to end the game.

Jump-Start Questions: Is the player in front happy, sad, or something else? Would you rather be playing in the game or watching the game? What is the referee thinking about?

First Contact

Opening Line Idea: This was it—the moment that would change what it meant to be human forever.

Jump-Start Questions: What is reflected in the astronaut’s mask? Will the alien and the human be able to communicate with each other? How would you feel if you were the first human to meet an alien?

One Life To Live

Opening Line Idea: His face said his life had been a hard one, but his eyes told a different tale.

Jump-Start Questions: Where and when did this man get his hat? If you could ask this man one question, what would it be? Why did this man decide to grow a mustache?

Winter Walk

Opening Line Idea: Snow fell, creating a blank canvas to record the story of that fateful walk.

Jump-Start Questions: How would you feel if you were walking in the snow in this scene? How would you find out what made the tracks? How far from civilization was this picture taken?

Train to Nowhere

Opening Line Idea: It certainly wasn’t the most luxurious way to travel, but then again, no one really wanted to make this trip in the first place.

Jump-Start Questions: What would it feel like to sleep here? Why has this place been abandoned? If you looked through the windows, what would you see outside?

Modern Mary Poppins

Opening Line Idea: She dropped into our lives on a gray day in midwinter, a hint of the spring that was to come.

Jump-Start Questions: What is in the person’s bag? What are they waiting for? Who made the tracks in this field?

All That Remains

Opening Line Idea: Dust motes filled the air of the abandoned hallway, replacing the voices once heard there.

Jump-Start Questions: Where is the light coming from? What is written on the walls? What would you hear if you were standing here?

Opening Line Idea: From the day he found the little creature, Luis refused to go anywhere without him.

Jump-Start Questions: How would you feel if you were talking to this person and the animal suddenly poked its head out? What will happen when the creature is too big to fit in the pocket? Would you like a pocket-size pet?

The Question

Opening Line Idea: Their happily ever after began quietly, with a bouquet of wildflowers.

Jump-Start Questions: What is the person in front about to say to the other person? Did they pick the flowers themselves, and do they have any special meaning? Where do the railroad tracks come from and go to?

Night Lights

Opening Line Idea: Misty rain both blurred and emphasized the lights that lit Suri’s way home that evening.

Jump-Start Questions: What is this person thinking about as they walk along? If this were you, would feel safe walking alone at night? What do you think the various signs say?

Forest of Fear

Opening Line Idea: At first, Mateo thought it was a joke, but the screams that followed told him there was nothing remotely funny about it.

Jump-Start Questions: Are there people behind the trees, or are the arms coming out of the trees themselves? Would you investigate or run away? What would you say to these people?

Opening Line Idea: At the elite level, being a spy meant serious commitments.

Jump-Start Questions: Would you like a cybernetic eye? What would you do if you woke up and found yourself with one against your will? Is this a human with an artificial eye or a very human-like cyborg?

The Yellow Door

Opening Line Idea: On their 14th birthday, every resident of Fresnia was required to stand before the Wall of Doors and make a choice.

Jump-Start Questions: Would you have painted this door yellow or chosen a different color? Do all the doors lead to the same place? Would you open the yellow door first, last, or not at all?

Graffiti Palace

Opening Line Idea: To strangers, it seemed random, but every mark on those walls had deep meaning for us.

Jump-Start Questions: Do you see this graffiti as vandalism or art? If you found a can of spray paint here, would you add your own contribution? What did this building used to be?

Fossil Fish

Opening Line Idea: Millions of years ago, the fish gave one final flop before lying still in the deep mud.

Jump-Start Questions: How did this fish die? How was it different from modern fish? What other fossils do you think might be found nearby?

On the Rails

Opening Line Idea: Aliyah stood on the tracks, uncertain of where to go next.

Jump-Start Questions: Is it safe for this person to be walking along these railroad tracks? What kind of music does the person like to play on their guitar? Is the person alone by choice?

These picture prompts are all works of art, some more well known than others. Try providing them to students without sharing the titles first, then offer up the titles if they need some help getting started. We’ve also provided some opening line ideas.

The Dance Class (Edgar Degas)

Opening Line Idea: The studio was dusty, noisy, and crowded, but it was also home.

Greek Funerary Plaque (520-510 BCE)

Opening Line Idea: With one final tap and last dab of paint, the tablet was complete at last.

Washington Crossing the Delaware (Emanuel Leutze)

Opening Line Idea: Was it bravery or sheer foolish bravado?

Kyōsai’s Pictures of One Hundred Demons

Opening Line Idea: “So this is where the wild things are,” she thought.

First Steps, After Millet (Vincent van Gogh)

Opening Line Idea: After so many years of hope and disappointment, this child made it all worthwhile.

Lady Lilith (Dante Gabriel Rossetti)

Opening Line Idea: Every night, without fail, 100 slow and steady strokes, just like her mother taught her.

A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (Georges Seurat)

Opening Line Idea: At what point does afternoon become evening?

After the Hurricane, Bahamas (Winslow Homer)

Opening Line Idea: The skies were clearing, but the seas raged on.

Drawing Lots for Prizes (Kitagawa Utamaro)

Opening Line Idea: It was fun at first, but I soon grew tired of the never-ending parties, dancing, music, and false laughter.

Portions of Field Armor (Jacob Halder)

Opening Line Idea: The armor shone in the morning sun; by evening it would be scratched, worn, and covered in blood.

Sadie Pfeifer, a Cotton Mill Spinner (Lewis Wickes Hine)

Opening Line Idea: She’d never realized the factory would be so incredibly loud, the noise unrelenting and cruel.

Still Life With Monkey, Fruits, and Flowers (Jean Baptiste Oudry)

Opening Line Idea: “This is why we can’t have nice things,” she complained.

Man Leading a Giraffe, 5th Century Byzantine

Opening Line Idea: At this point, he couldn’t help but wonder: Was he leading the giraffe or was the giraffe leading him?

The Three Skulls (Paul Cézanne)

Opening Line Idea: Nothing bothered her more than the empty, vacant eyes.

The Madame B Album (Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier)

Opening Line Idea: “Definitely a new species,” confirmed the curator.

Coiled Trumpet in the Form of a Snarling Feline Face (c. 100 BCE to 500 CE)

Opening Line Idea: The trumpet called them all to attention, and the audience fell silent in an instant.

Crazy Quilt With Animals (Florence Elizabeth Marvin)

Opening Line Idea: Every stitch and scrap spun a story.

Storytime (Eugenio Zampighi)

Opening Line Idea: They could spend hours there, and they often did.

Cubist Village (Georges Gaudion)

Opening Line Idea: The Land of Oz looked very different from how Dorothy had described it.

Zig-Zag Passenger and Freight Train (Unknown)

Opening Line Idea: Frankly, I didn’t care where the train was going, or how long it would take to get there.

The Power of Music (William Sidney Mount)

Opening Line Idea: Sammy wanted to join in and lift his voice, but he knew they’d never welcome him in.

The Large Tree (Paul Gauguin)

Opening Line Idea: Outsiders saw it as paradise, and they weren’t far off.

After the Bath (Mary Cassatt)

Opening Line Idea: Motherhood was exhausting, but she found the rewards very sweet indeed.

Wedding Gown (Korea, Late 1800s)

Opening Line Idea: It was the most important gown she’d ever wear, and she begrudged every single stitch it took to make it.

The Contemplator (Eugène Carrière)

Opening Line Idea: Looking back, she seemed to see everything through a strange, dusty haze.

The Girl I Left Behind Me (Eastman Johnson)

Opening Line Idea: She was an old woman now, but when I thought of her, it was always as a brave, stoic child, standing tall atop the hillside as we trudged into the distance.

24c Curtiss Jenny Invert Single

Opening Line Idea: “Do you think anyone will notice?” asked Mr. Semple nervously.

Creeping Baby Doll Patent Model

Opening Line Idea: “Well, that’s mighty unsettling,” Pa said.

Wrecked Zeppelin (British Library)

Opening Line Idea: The wreckage drew crowds for weeks, but the great balloon’s demise made little difference in the end.

Skeleton (Tales of Terror Frontispiece)

Opening Line Idea: “Here we go again,” Cedric moaned, as the skeletons pulled him from the grave once more.

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Just click the button below to fill out the form and get instant access to free downloadable Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides with all the prompts included above.

How do you use picture writing prompts in your classroom? Come share ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

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101 Best Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

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Elementary Assessments

19 Great Sixth-Grade Writing Activities

The middle school years are when students engage in extensive writing across various subjects, essentially writing across the curriculum.

Whether you’re a teacher in language arts or any other core discipline, writing is an important component of the learning process.

During this phase, there’s a multitude of sixth-grade writing activities that can seamlessly integrate with different subjects in order to enhance the learning experience.

This post offers a variety of writing activities for 6th graders that sharpen students’ writing skills and prompt them to write with intention across diverse contexts and for varying audiences.

As students embrace these writing activities, they will become more confident writers, strengthening the foundation for continued writing growth.

Sixth-Grade Writing Activities

1. make an advertisement..

In this engaging activity, 6th graders will practice persuasive writing by creating advertisements for some of their favorite products or events.

They will explore the art of capturing attention using convincing language and images.

2. Create a Menu.

Students will design fun menus based on some of their favorite foods.

They will learn how to use enticing descriptions to make food options come alive on paper.

3. Make a Comic. 

This activity helps students in the 6th grade use their imagination and drawing abilities to make comic books.

They learn how to make interesting stories, write conversations, and draw pictures to tell stories, show feelings, and share thoughts in a good way.

This helps them understand how words and pictures work together to tell stories.

Related Content: Sixth-Grade Writing Prompts

4. Write a List of Questions.

In this activity, 6th graders are encouraged to be curious and collect information.

They make lists of interesting questions or do interviews to learn more. This helps them understand how interviews work and how to communicate well.

5. Create a How-To Manual.

In this activity, 6th graders use their ability to understand instructions well to create detailed guides that show readers how to do certain tasks or processes.

They write in a way that makes things easy to understand, with clear explanations and organized steps.

This helps them get better at explaining complicated things and demonstrates how important it is to communicate accurately.

6. Write an Essay. 

In this activity, 6th graders get to try out different types of essays, like stories, persuasive pieces, and informative ones.

They write in different ways, with different structures and tones.

This helps them become better at writing in different styles, so they can adjust their writing to fit different reasons and readers.

7. Caption the Comic Scenes .

Encourage your students to mix writing with pictures by making short descriptions for scenes in comics.

They will capture important feelings, actions, and conversations in brief but strong descriptions.

8. Cookbook/Recipe

Have your sixth-graders compile their own cookbooks or write recipes.

Using clear instructions, vivid descriptions, and culinary terminology, students will create engaging cookbooks or recipes.

9. Quotation Response

Provide students with thought-provoking quotes, and ask them to share insightful written reflections.

Through their responses, students practice analyzing and connecting abstract concepts to real-world situations, deepening their understanding of various themes and improving their ability to express nuanced ideas.

10. Conduct Polls & Organize the Data

It’s a great idea if some of your writing activities for 6th graders include some cross-curricular exercises like this one.

Combining data collection and writing skills, have your 6th graders conduct polls or surveys and present their findings through organized written reports.

By analyzing and summarizing data, they will strengthen their ability to communicate information in a structured and informative manner.

11. Persuasive Letter Campaigns

Engage students in real-world issues by having them write persuasive letters to local officials or organizations advocating for positive changes in their community.

12. Historical Fiction Podcasts

This activity will help students refine their storytelling and oral communication skills.

Have students create historical fiction podcasts.

They will research a specific time period, develop characters and plots, then record episodes that immerse listeners in the past.

13. Literary Analysis Essays of Movies

After reading a book and watching its movie adaptation, encourage students to write comparative literary analysis essays exploring the differences between the two mediums.

14. Creative Nonfiction Essays

Introduce creative nonfiction by having students write personal essays based on their own experiences.

They will reflect upon and write about meaningful moments, reflections, or challenges, practicing descriptive writing and introspection.

15. Mythological Adaptations

Have students choose a myth or legend from a particular culture and adapt it to a modern-day setting, incorporating relevant themes and issues.

16. Opinion Editorial Pieces

For more advanced sixth-grade writing activities, doing op-ed exercises is a great idea.

Introduce op-ed writing by having students analyze current events and express their opinions on relevant topics.

They will craft well-structured opinion pieces that blend factual information, personal perspectives, and persuasive arguments.

17. Scientific Inquiry Journals

Encourage scientific thinking through inquiry-based journal writing.

Provide students with prompts related to scientific phenomena or experiments they have conducted or will conduct, prompting them to document their observations, hypotheses, and conclusions.

18. Literary Mashups

Challenge students to select two unrelated books and create a mashup where they combine elements from both into a story or poem.

19. Poetry Writing

Have students choose a topic that they enjoy.

Guided by their imaginations and writing skills, they will write a series of poems ( haiku, sonnet, limerick, cinquain , etc.) about their chosen topic.

Final Thoughts On 6th-Grade Writing Activities

Create well-rounded writers in your classroom by incorporating some of these engaging and fun 6th-grade writing activities that improve students’ language proficiency, storytelling abilities, and communication skills.