The best way to incorporate writing prompts in the classroom is to use them daily. There are many different times of day to utilize prompts. It can be the first thing students do in the morning after they unpack or used after school as a homework assignment. The possibilities are endless and the more you use prompts the more student’s writing skills will improve.
To learn more about writing prompts and the different types, check out the blog post, What are Writing Prompts?
When to Use Daily Writing Prompts
Now let’s talk about the best time to implement daily writing prompts. There are five different times of day that are ideal: morning work, classwork, centers, early finishers, and homework. I recommend starting off with one time of day and then trying out some other options. This way you will be able to find your teacher preference and what works well for the class.
The best approach is to mix it up and use writing prompts during different parts of the day. You might assign prompts during a writing period and the next day use some as morning work. Another option is to use it in a writing center for the week and then assign new prompts for homework the following week. There are so many options and by learning about each one you can choose what works best.
Morning Work Routine
It can be time-consuming for teachers to find and prepare morning work. They have so many other things to plan for in a day. Incorporating prompts for morning work saves tons of time and energy.
After students come in and unpack in the morning, they can respond to a writing prompt. Practice what this will look like and sound like so students can become independent and make this part of their morning routine. Some teachers like to project the prompts on the board. Others have students choose from a calendar, choice board, or sentence strips. It’s always helpful to give two or more writing prompt choices to motivate and engage learners.
Classwork
Prompts work well during a Language Arts writing period. Teachers can have students glue a calendar or choice board in their notebooks. Kids can refer to this chart during writing time, pick a prompt, and get started. There may also be days when students already have ideas and can begin writing independently.
Daily writing prompts are also beneficial for different content areas such as reading, math, science, or social studies. Use these during a writing-focused time for that subject. If you are teaching guided reading groups, prompts can be incorporated with leveled texts. It can be part of the lesson or an extension activity for kids to do on their own. During a math block, try incorporating a writing-based center or activity. If it’s a science lesson, do an experiment followed by writing prompt responses.
Writing Centers
Writing prompts always make an excellent Language Arts center. It can be based on a month, holiday, theme, or unit of study. Decide in advance how long the prompts will stay in the center before changing them. Some teachers like to assign prompts for the day, week, or month. Others like to have the students choose from a selection or choice board like the example below. Click the picture to grab this freebie!
Early Finishers
What will a student work on when they finish an assignment early? Some teachers choose independent reading or finishing work in a “to-do” folder. Fun writing prompts can also be a helpful option. Be sure these prompts are not viewed as “extra work” and instead something kids look forward to. I love saving the really creative and silly prompts for early finishers.
Homework Assignment
There are so many ways to use writing prompts as homework. It can be assigned daily, weekly, or monthly depending on your needs. Some teachers like to send home a calendar or choice board. Responses can be written on lined paper, in a notebook, or typed. Depending on the grade level, prompts can be completely digital and assigned through Google Classroom or a similar platform. Below is an example of digital prompts for homework.
Conclusion
The wonderful world of writing prompts awaits! Try these daily to improve and enhance students’ writing. Choose from morning work, class time, centers, early finishers, and homework. Plus writing prompts can be used across various subject areas. There are so many beneficial ways to incorporate prompts on a daily basis.
Did you grab your Free Writing Prompt Guide yet? I love using prompts for morning work, writing time, centers, or as a homework assignment. The possibilities are endless!
Writing Prompt Resources
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