Trying to bring out some creativity in your classroom?
Child
5th-grade writing prompts
Trying to bring out some creativity in your classroom?
Give your 5th-grade students this list of inspirational writing prompts to get their thoughts growing!
Education resources
What are 5th-grade writing prompts?
If you work in the classroom, you will know how difficult it can be to inspire your younger students to put their thoughts into words, which can often feel futile and disheartening. But it isn’t impossible to get your class busy if they aren’t feeling the mojo. By 5th grade, children have started developing their writing skills and already have a lot to say about life, so presenting them with some thought-provoking prompts will help to get their pens to paper in no time. You could even learn something you had not thought about from these answers.
Here are some phrases to get them started:
- What would your dream house look like? Describe it in a few sentences – or more!
- Tell the story of the worst holiday you have ever experienced.
- Tell the story of the best holiday you ever experienced.
- What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
- If I could only buy one toy next year, which would it be?
- If you had three wishes, what would they be?
- Finish this sentence: “I wish I could forget … because …”
- Who is your favorite stuffed animal?
- What would you do if locked in a superstore overnight?
- You can choose to send someone you care about a letter. Who will you send yours to, and what will you write on it to make them smile?
Find out more on how to teach children how to give compliments here:
- If you could be anyone other than yourself, who would you be and why?
- What is the best computer game you have ever played?
- Finish this sentence: “My favorite thing about school is…”
- If you could converse with any object in your pencil case, which would it be, and what would it say?
- You’ve turned into an animal! Which one is it and why?
- Write about what it would be like if you had an alligator as a pet.
- If you were the leader of the whole world, what would you do to make the world a nicer place?
- Talk about your favorite food. What do you like about it?
- Imagine you are a scientist that has just invented a new vegetable. What is it called, what color and shape is it, and is it safe to eat?
- What would you do if you had a superpower that made you invisible?
- What kind of film would you like to star in if you were a movie star?
- You have a spare ticket to go and see a show – who would you give it to?
- You are the mayor of a new town! How was it built, how did you become the leader, and how will you encourage people to move there?
- A zookeeper tells you an animal has gone missing from its enclosure! What creature is it, where did it go, and how will you track them down?
- Write about your pet at home. If you don’t have one, which one might you like?
- Imagine being a new kid at school. How might you feel?
Do you have a new child at school? Here’s how to make them more comfortable:
- What would you ask if your parents told you they would take you out to do anything you wanted all day?
- Describe what it feels like going on your favorite fairground ride.
- When is it okay to keep a secret, and when should you tell someone?
- What would you pack and why if you had to take three items only to a desert island?
- You are writing a letter to someone struggling to make friends. What advice will you give them? What do you think will help them feel better?
- Pretend you are a writer for your local newspaper. Who would you like to interview for the next headline, and what questions will you ask them?
- Is there a particular subject you don’t like getting homework for? Which one is this and why?
- You were on your way to a very important event when you suddenly tripped and fell into a puddle. What are you going to do now?
- What is your favorite fairy tale? Can you write a sequel to it? For example, what did Goldilocks get up to after leaving the three bears’ house?
Here is a to help anyone who is stuck:
- Imagine you are an adult and have just got your dream job. What do you get up to on the first day?
- What is your greatest fear, and how have you learned to handle it?
- What is the real reason the chicken crossed the road? What was on the other side?
- What are five qualities you look for in a friend? Do you think these are important and healthy?
- Since they are in their final year, do you think fifth graders deserve privileges in school? If yes, then write about what these would be and how they would work. Why not if you said no?
- Give one example of what honesty looks like. Why is this trait so important?
- Imagine you are going to meet a fictional character in real life. Who would this be, and what would you talk about?
- What is the first thing your pet would say to you if they could talk?
- How old, in your opinion, do you need to be to start babysitting younger children? Give all the reasons as to why you think this is.
- Finish this sentence: “I opened my drawer and found…”
- You get bitten by a strange insect! What is this critter, and how does the bite affect you? Is it venomous? Does it give you mystical abilities?
- Which is better: cats or dogs? Why is this? Give your reasons for your choice and any evidence to back it up.
- What would it be if you could study any college course?
We hope these have helped your class get creative in their writing abilities!
