Top 20 creative writing prompts 3rd grade

1. Imagine you are a superhero with special powers. What powers do you have, and how do you use them to help others?

2. Write a story about a brave knight who goes on a quest to save a princess from a dragon.

3. What would happen if animals could talk? Write a story about a day in the life of a talking dog or cat.

4. Write a story about a kind and wise old owl who helps a group of lost forest animals find their way home.

5. Imagine you are a detective solving a mystery. Write a story about the clues you find and how you use them to solve the case.

6. Write a story about a group of friends who go on an adventure to find hidden treasure.

7. Imagine you are stranded on a deserted island. Write a story about how you survived and made it back home.

8. Write a story about a magical garden where flowers can sing and dance.

9. Imagine you are a robot with unique abilities. Write a story about your adventures and how you use your abilities to help others.

10. Write a story about a brave young boy who sets out to save his village from a fierce dragon.

11. Imagine you are a mermaid living in the ocean. Write a story about your daily life and the adventures you go on.

12. Write a story about a group of animal friends who journey to find a lost jungle.

13. Imagine you are a time traveller who can go back in time and visit different eras. Write a story about where you go and what you see.

14. Write a story about a kind and clever fox who outwits a group of hunters to save his family.

15. Imagine you have superpowers and use them to fight against injustice. Write a story about a hero who saves the day.

16. Write a story about an orphan who discovers a magical key that unlocks a secret treasure.

17. Imagine you are a farmer who discovers a mysterious egg in your field. Write a story about what hatches from the egg and how it changes your life.

18. Write a story about a brave adventurer who discovers a hidden kingdom in the clouds.

19. Imagine you are a time traveler with a critical mission. Write a story about your adventure to fix the past and shape a better future.

20. Write a story about a magic tree that grants wishes and how it impacts a community.

Blank postcard templates for young writers

Use these printable templates to teach young writers how to write a basic letter or recount.  Your students will learn about addresses and can get creative in decorating the front picture and creating a stamp of their own in the process.

These and many other printables can be found our printable section here.

Download Postcard Template here.

On demand letter writing prompt

Decades ago, people were always sending letter to express their appreciations, affections, and concerns.  Today, that art has been reduced a bit, but students should still be aware of the difference between friendly letters and business letters.  These communication forms have different purposes and intended audiences.  Clearly, today’s writers might choose to send these communication types via email, but they should still reflect communication that matches the desired recipient and purpose.  This on-demand practice prompts allow students to reflect on the varying parts of a friendly letter, while practicing effective writing skills.  

Click here to download the complete lesson plan

Teach your students to write 'engaging hooks' that lure an audience

Every writer starts out enthusiastic about their topic.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that their audience is going to instantly relate to what is being stated.

Writers have an obligation to present their topic in an interesting, engaging format that brings even the driest of topics to life.

That process starts with a hook!  Successful writers understand that articles, letters, editorials, and even speeches have a common beginning – a hook! If the reader isn’t lured in, why do they want to continue reading?

Methods / Teaching Strategies

Group work

Class Discussion

Personalized Learning

Assessment of Learning

·      Composing hooks (cooperative learning activity)

Click here to download the complete free four page lesson plan.  ( No strings attached!)

Hundreds of great teaching ideas and resources to teach your students to write more effectively.

When you have been collating lesson plans, teaching resources, videos, posters and tech tools to to help improve students writing skills for five years the collection can become quite large.

Today I have collated all of those articles for you to browse and use with your students.  Literally hundred's of great ideas for students of all ages.

As always, everything free to download and please be sure to leave a comment under anything that takes your fancy.

Click here to access all of our writing resources

Click here to access all our writing prompts and inspiration

Argumentative On Demand Practice Prompt

With the new ELA Common Core Standards in place, teachers and students alike are preparing for on-demand writing.  This form of real-world writing requires that students display their proficient writing skills for narrative, informational, and argumentative purposes.  These purposes are developed using a variety of genres that are appropriate for the intended audience and purpose. 

            One proven way to assist students in developing their writing skills is to WRITE!  When students are provided practice prompts to compose and reflect on, they are provided with opportunities for growth.  Their skills improve as they become aware of their strengths and weaknesses as writers. 

            A stand-alone argumentative prompt is provided, along with a scoring guide and sample response.  These resources should serve as an invaluable tool in assisting students in recognizing their current abilities and areas for improvement.

 Click here to download these tools.

Tips for writing great introductions to narratives

Choosing an appropriate hook and then deciding what else to include in the introduction of a personal narrative can be a difficult task for students. 

After brainstorming is complete, and it is time for drafting to begin, the introduction is the first step.  Since this is the section of one’s personal narrative that gives readers the all-important first impression, special care and consideration must be provided to make sure this paragraph makes a lasting impression that motivates readers to keep reading. 

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Examples and various techniques are included to provide clarity to what the introduction of a personal narrative should contain.  Click here to download the presentation.

How to write an introduction to a narrative from Kevin Cummins

Writing prompts about Melissa Bachman and her lion hunt.

This above image has caused outrage and heated discussion around the world.  

Melissa Bachman posted this photo on twitter with the following statement.  "An incredible day hunting in South Africa! Stalked inside 60-yards on this beautiful male lion...what a hunt!"

You have probably never heard of this woman before, but she has forged a career in the media from hunting large endangered species in scantily clad clothing including Grizzly Bears, Zebras, Alligators, Elk and now the king of the jungle, the Lion.

The lion was killed legally in a contained park at an expense estimated at around $20,000 USD which is an entirely separate issue again, but the arrogance and ignorance of publicising the senseless slaughter of an endangered and noble beast has backfired turning the hunter into the hunted.

Millions have voiced their disgust at Bachman and many threats have been made on her own life as a result of here actions.

This is a great topic for writing and will easily inspire action on their behalf.  Here are some writing topics to consider around this topic.

• Does the hunting of wildlife have any place in this day and age?
• Is pulling the trigger on a defenceless creature from a secure location hunting or murder?
• Is there any coming back from an action like this?  Write an apology from Bachman's perspective that might in some way satisfy her aggressors.
• This woman has a right to earn a living any way she wants write a letter justifying her actions.
• How could we use this as a positive to stop paid African big game hunting in future?  Write a letter to the African government expressing your opinions around this issue. 
• Does paid big game hunting actually save wild animals?  Write an argumentative essay supporting your view

Please write in your own ideas in the section below.