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November 20, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

6 Activities for Your Kids’ Writing Club | For Teens & Preteens

6 Activities for Your Kids’ Writing Club: For Teens & Preteens
One of my favorite extracurricular homeschool activities was leading a monthly home-school writers’ club. We called ourselves “Writing Nerds” because that’s what we were: a group who loved reading and were interested in writing. Our group was made up of junior high and high school homeschoolers. We met for an hour and a half each month. If you like reading, and know the basics of fiction writing, consider starting a group.
Here are some activities to get your kids’ writing group started!
5 minute story:.
Give each student each three slips of paper. On the first they have to write a person/character. On the second they have to write a setting. On the third they have to write a conflict. I had a basket for each (characters, setting, conflict), and they tossed them all in. Then they had to draw one slip of paper out of each basket . . . and they had five minutes to write a story about their character, conflict, and setting. I told them they had to:
- Open with dialogue in paragraph #1
- Describe the action in paragraph #2
- Then they could describe the setting in paragraph #3.
After that they could continue with the story as they saw fit. They then read the stories out loud, and they were HILARIOUS! I still remember one was about a nun who had to bail from a plane that was crashing in Paris.
Teaching Dialogue:
To teach dialogue I used plays (such as mixed-up fairy tales). Here are some free ones: freeschoolplays.com . We assigned parts and read sections of them out loud. Then I had them write the dialogue of the same characters in a different situation. For example, what if Baby Bear in the three bears showed up at the first day of school and his seat mate was Goldilocks?
Color Coding:
I photocopied the first pages of a novel—such as Kingdom’s Dawn by Chuck Black—and gave everyone a copy and crayons.
- Red for action.
- Green for dialogue.
- Yellow for internal thoughts.
- Orange for description.
- Pink for emotion.
This really helped them see how novels are not just narrative (this happened, then that happened, etc.). Sometimes I had them write their own story following the same “color pattern.” The results were impressive. Sometimes we colored the openings to two different novels and then compared the authors’ writing style.
Snowflake Method:
We used Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method and “plotted” a novel. You can learn more about the SnowFlake method here .
3 Likes + 1 Dislike:
We assigned people to bring short stories or parts of their book to class every week. They had a limit of 1,000 words, and they had to make enough photocopies for everyone in class. We passed around the story and gave eight to ten minutes for them to read the story. Then everyone had to go around and share three things they liked and one thing they didn’t like. I was the last to comment after everyone was done, and I did the same (but I usually gave two or three suggestions about ways they could improve their story). I was amazed how insightful the students were. The majority of the time they discovered all the “issues” by the time it got to me
Sensory Exercise:
I had a collection of objects—steel wool, sponge, a plant, coins, etc.—that they could handle, and they had to write descriptions of them. Then they had to use that same description and describe something else—for example the description for steel wool became the description for a night’s armor.
Those are a few ideas to get you started. A writing club is great fun and educational, too!
Download the printable for FREE to use for your writing club!

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More Resources:
Homeschooling for the Rest of Us by Sonya Haskins
Homeschooling 101 by Erica Ardnt
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Set up a school writing club and boost children’s confidence

In the inspiring environment of a well-run writing group, children’s literacy skills will flourish – so why not set up your own?

Lynda set up a lunchtime writing club, ‘Buzzwords’, in her primary school. She began with Year 6 and, after a while, opened the club to children across KS2. Children were given notebooks and encouraged to ‘loosen their writing muscles’ with a range of word hunts, lists and short writing exercises. She found oral anecdotes and memories powerful ways of engaging less confident writers.
She always read aloud a piece of writing to broaden the children’s vocabulary, ideas and structures, and to increase their literary knowledge. A collection of simple writing prompts also proved effective – pictures, maps, word collections, opening lines and headlines. Children were happy to find their own materials and spaces, under desks as well as at them, and to write for 20 minutes. Lynda established an atmosphere of respectful attention so children who wanted to would read out their work. They were always keen to know their peers’ responses and became fond of each other’s distinctive humour.
In Lynda’s view, children’s increased ease with writing was the club’s greatest success. This was especially the case for children with learning difficulties who had previously under-achieved because of low self-esteem, and for able writers hampered by the limitation of prescribed or over-structured writing tasks.
You may have heard of the National Writing Project UK (NWP UK). Perhaps you have attended one of its growing networks of ‘writing clubs’, which since 2009 have been bringing teachers together to write, share their work and enhance their practice. But have you considered setting up your own for your school’s children? As the example above illustrates, the results can be well worth the effort…
Setting up a writing club
On your own:
Firstly, start writing today! Fix a regular time when you can sit quietly, and aim to write for at least 20 minutes. Sometimes this will be easy, at others hard, but you need to gain confidence to write even when you’re not feeling like it. Try out the ideas you plan to use with the writing group.
Once you’ve done this for a week or so, you’ll be ready to start. You don’t have to share any of this with your club or class, but it really helps to write alongside pupils, using the same prompts, and to be prepared to show, share and discuss some of the evidence.
With the children:
Sound out your individuals and classes. Identify your keen writers. Discuss the idea with them. Establish a convenient time (lunchtime or afterschool), so that you can meet once a week for at least half a term before you review or change anything. Engage your enthusiasts by word of mouth, and advertise.
In a primary school assembly with about 300 children, one teacher announced the start of her Year 5 and 6 writing club with these words: “I will be doing this in Mrs X’s classroom at lunchtime. If you would like to come along, we’re going to be writing things that we want to write and, you know, it’s for fun, basically.” Seventeen children came to the first session and twenty-five to the second. The club is still running after two years.
Get them engaged
Your club should be fun and stress-free, with a range of quick writing games and short challenges. Meet in a quiet place. Give each writer a notebook and pen, or encourage them to buy a nice one. Establish ground rules about privacy, experimentation, practice, sharing and reflection. Write alongside the children. Get to know and value the different voices. Celebrate diversity and withhold judgement. Be prepared for the membership to change over time, but keep the invitations personal and positive, and keep repeating them.
Quick writing exercises:
You need something easy to break the ice and ‘loosen up the writing muscles’ – and “If it’s a lunchtime club you have to have an activity … that they can do while they eat their sandwiches…” noted one group’s leader! The following list may provide some inspiration:
Titles, newspaper headlines, opening lines … closing lines Dilemmas Lists of words, word tiles to arrange A simple stem-structure such as “I like…”, “I hate…” A ‘scavenger hunt’ of the place you are in Freewriting for five minutes without shopping
Agree beforehand
whether this writing will be shared or not. It’s often good to have a shared and a private piece – that way children can get into the habit of trusting themselves to have a go, and of letting other, more considered, writing ‘brew’ inside them for a while.
Main writing activities:
After a while this is best left to individuals to decide, but at first, some children may appreciate some guidance. Try:
extending your writing from one of the first exercises (take a word, idea or phrase as a starting point);
writing in voices or from a particular perspective – what the woman in the picture was really thinking; how the artefact came to be here; what the tree remembers;
using snatches of overheard conversations or ‘found’ phrases to launch you into your own writing;
finding an object/picture/view that interests you and write about it twice, moving your writing position/perspective to do so – once from one point of view, once from another.
Again, agree beforehand how you will share the writing that takes place. Establish ground rules, for example, listening to each other attentively and not being afraid just to say thank you. It’s useful to model how to respond to the writing process, rather than the product:
Where did you get your ideas from? Which words/parts came easily and where did you struggle? What would you like to do next with your writing?
When children are ready to share, model attentive listening to tone and content (it helps to hear the writing before you see it). This process may be better in pairs at first, but where possible it’s fascinating to read around the group and hear what different writing has emerged during the session from similar stimuli.
Taking it further
You might like to enhance your group by writing together online. Most schools have a VLE with separate forums that can be closed except to those who are password approved. This enables all children to see each others’ writing and give feedback. A teacher of one Year 6 class said that the biggest boost to children’s writing confidence came from appreciation and suggestions from their peer group.
Writing resources
The following items will help keep your children inspired for hours…
Small boxes and envelopes, plain and coloured paper, card A range of writing implements Collections of postcards, pictures, quotations A book box with novels, picture books and poetry Magazines and newspapers to cut up CD/DVDs: music, short films or clips Ephemeral texts – newsletters, tickets brochures, catalogues and packaging A props box, hats and scarves, glasses, glove puppets A collection of objects – buttons, fir cones, jewellery, toys, bric-abrac, shells, stones Once the group is established, it’s good to ask children to bring and add ideas, texts, objects, pictures, DVDs of their own.
This article is an edited extract of Introducing Teachers’ Writing Groups by Jenifer Smith and Simon Wrigley (Routledge), which is available now. It explains the importance of said groups and offers guidance on setting up your own. Visit routledge.com/education. For a full list of NWP UK writing clubs, visit nwp.org.uk
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How to Start a Creative Writing Club for Kids

I pitched the idea to a friend of mine, a professor of creative writing, who very graciously shared with me exercises she does with her grad students. It took some work but I brought them down to a level I thought would work with 4 th -6 th graders.
Next I had to get buy in from the school principal to run an after school club and use the library. She loved the idea but reminded me I needed a ‘baby sitter’ because I’m not a credentialed teacher. The librarian agreed to keep me on the straight and narrow and I promised to keep his library in good working order.
From there, I got myself invited to a PTA meeting to see if they would throw me some funds to run the club. Really all I wanted were notebooks, pencils and a few other little things here and there to help with the writing exercises. They said yes and I was off.
We meet once a month for an hour. We have two rules for Writing Club. The first is we are respectful of everyone’s ideas; if a fellow student is reading his/her work aloud, we are quiet and listen closely. The second is no one has to read if they don’t want to. No pressure. I also give away middle grade books I’m done reading. Winners beam like they’ve just won the lottery.

September’s giveaway books
At our first meeting this year fifty students showed up! I ran out of everything – notebooks, pencils, seats, table space – but seeing these kids, scribbling away, giving voice to the stories in their heads, gave me hope for the future.
(for specifics on the writing exercises, please visit my website )
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This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
50!!! Wow! That gives me hope for the future, too. I am so crazy busy this year but would love to do host a NaNoWriMo group for our middle school students. Maybe I should do it a different time of year and follow your lead. Thanks for the inspiration!
Absolutely love your idea and your website describing how you present the writing program. If I were a kid again, I would run to get to the head of line for your program. Thank you for teaching.
- STEM Tuesday gift recommendation– Buy STEM/STEAM books for the holidays! November 29, 2022 by Jennifer Swanson Happy Holidays!! It’s that time of year where people scramble to find gifts. We, at STEM Tuesday, recommend you give the gift of CURIOSITY. DISCOVERY. ADVENTURE… Buy a STEM/STEAM book... Read more →
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8 Ideas and Activities for Making Writing Fun in Upper Elementary

Making Writing Fun Activities Written by Guest Blogger Jessica Thompson, 4th Grade Teacher
Writing. The minute the word is mentioned there is an audible, in-sync sigh from the students. Of course, there are a few super excited students who cannot get their ideas down quick enough. For every handful of excited writers, there is a large portion of the class that “has nothing to write about.”
The struggle is real, y’all. For both teachers and students.
The big question for teachers is not only how to make writing fun and engaging, but how do we get students excited about writing?
Fun Writing Activities To Try
Here are 8 Activities to try with third, fourth, and fifth grade students. These activities are to get our young writers excited about writing which will make formal writing tasks less daunting.
1. Think-Write-Pass:
This is always a favorite that gets lots of laughs.
Put students in groups of four. Give each student a piece of paper and have them write their name on the top.
Have students write for 2-3 minutes. You can give them a topic, or simply have them write about whatever they want.
When the time is up, students pass their paper to another student in their group. Each student in the group will have to read, continue the writing, and pass the paper again 2-3 minutes later.
When each student gets their own paper back they get a few minutes to complete the story. If time allows: let the groups choose their favorite one to share.
2. Sticky Note Stories:
Students want to share stories with us. There are so many stories - from their weekend, the ball game, recess, at their Aunt Barb’s birthday party 5 years ago - they have so much that they want to tell us!
It’s usually the same students ones who are constantly trying to tell us stories that, come writing time, same they have nothing to write about. Sticky Note Stories are an easy solution.
A sticky post it note is not nearly as intimidating as a piece of notebook paper.
When a student has a story to share, tell them how much you want to hear it - but they have to write it down on the sticky note.
A holiday weekend? A school event? A birthday party? A football game? Write it on a sticky note.
3. Found Poetry
Make copies of text from a book you are reading and have them find words or groups of words throughout the text to create a poem.
They can circle these words and draw pictures or designs around everything else to make the poem pop. See some examples of found poetry here.
3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students can also use words cut out from magazines to create a poem. It is best to precut words and have them in a container to make sure all words are appropriate.
4. Go Outside!
A change of scenery makes everything more fun. Take the notebooks and pencils to the outdoors for 10-15 minutes. Have students sit and use their 5 senses to write observations.
You can stop there, or take this activity a little further and have students write some poetry!
Give them free rein, or add some guidelines for structure.
This free cinquain writing template is perfect for an activity like this!
5. This or That
Sometimes all students need is a little bit of choice and control. Give them that control with This or That.
This is easy - simply provide them with 2 writing prompts and let them choose!
It can be time consuming to create choice boards with 9 options, but with This or That you only need to create two.
6. Silly Pictures
This is an easy way to make writing fun!
There are millions of funny pictures without captions on the internet. The key is to find appropriate ones and save them for later use.
Put the picture up on a projector, mirror it to a screen, or print it out. Have students write about what is happening in that picture.
This is great to practice skills such as predicting, inferring, cause and effect, and problem and solution.
7. Persuasive Letters
Two birds, one writing piece. The key to making this writing activity fun is choosing a topic that is sure to of interest of students.
What student wouldn't love to try to convince their teacher that recess should be longer? Or that they should be able to skip homework one night? Or that they should have a pizza party?
The list of ideas is endless. They could write to their parents on why they should have a later bedtime or get a dog. They could write to the principal on why donuts should be served with breakfast. They could write to an author on why they should write another book in their favorite series. You could also let students choose the topic.
3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students have fun arguing their point and they will learn quickly the importance of supporting their claim.
8. Quick Writes
Quick Writes are a timed writing. The idea is not to scare the students, but for them to get their ideas on paper as quickly as possibly and to be writing or thinking the entire time.
Give students a prompt, and then tell them to write down whatever comes to mind over the next 5 - 10 minutes. Make sure students aren't worried about spelling or a grade - the goal is to just spend some time writing.
If you are looking for a more polished piece, you can have students do this daily for 3-5 days. Then, have them choose their favorite quick write to revise, edit, and turn in.
An Extra Tip for Making Writing Fun
A personalized writing notebook can be an easy way to motivate students to write. This is something that is theirs and they have more ownership over.
Composition books can easily be decorated with pictures, stickers, photographs, etc. and covered with contact paper. Letting them take the time to decorate a notebook with things that are important to them can give them more ownership over their writing - as well as help stir up ideas for writing!
Bonus: Writing will not get lost easily! Make one yourself as a teacher and use it! Let the students see you write. Read your writing to them and make time for students to share too.
Sometimes it's not about making writing fun - it's about your mindset as the teacher. Check out these 7 tips for rethinking your writing instruction.
Or, you might find these other writing tips and ideas helpful.
Never Stress Over Sub Plans Again!

Make copies, find a fiction book, and you'll be ready for any emergency that comes your way!
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How to Start a Creative Writing Club
Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References
This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA . Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine. This article has been viewed 29,995 times.
Do you have a passion for creative writing that you want to take to the next level? A great way to grow your writing skills is to start a creative writing club, where you can share your work with others who are invested in cultivating the same craft. Working with people who share similar interests to you is both fun and incredibly rewarding!
Things You Should Know
- If you’re a student, talk to your favorite English teacher and ask them to sponsor the club; the odds are extremely high that they’ll be thrilled by the idea!
- If you’re running the club, remember that different members are likely there for unique reasons—include a variety of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and screenwriting activities.
- For a younger crowd, include a writing activity with every meeting and encourage members to share their work—be super supportive!
- Make sure that if you’re doing any workshop-style discussions that the members understand that critiquing someone’s work does not mean criticizing them as people.
- Clubs with older members will likely attract a good number of experienced writers, so you may want to start meetings by asking members if they’ve been working on anything they’d like feedback on before going into activities, lectures, or discussions.
Forming Your Club

- Possible locations include your house, public park, an open classroom, or anywhere else you can meet and converse without disturbing others.

- Word of mouth: Invite friends and acquaintances, and ask them to spread the word and bring their friends! Talk openly and excitedly about your club: your enthusiasm will help draw the interest of others. It’s a good idea to invite very broadly to begin with: the people who are truly invested in your club will show up and stick around.
- Posters and fliers: Design a cool flier and post it around school or your workplace! This is a nice way to draw attention to your club.
- Social media: For example, you can create a Facebook Event for the first meeting and share it widely with your friends!

- If you do decide to ask someone to be your advisor, be considerate of their time and respectful when making your request. Sending them an introductory email explaining your plans (in as much detail as you can) will allow them to make an informed decision. It is also courteous to offer to meet in person or talk over the phone/Skype so that they can ask any questions they might have before they make their decision.
- Advisors can be involved in a variety of ways, and this should be a conversation that you have directly with your potential advisor. Will they attend meetings? Will they offer guidance from afar? These are questions that are best to ask early on.

- This is related to possibly need an advisor: some schools require an advisor's signature on club registration forms. Once again, just be sure to research your school, university, or organization's requirements.

Holding for Your First Meeting

- You can choose an icebreaker that is relevant to the theme (if applicable) of your club, or you choose something entirely random. The point of this activity is to lighten the mood and help your members get to know each other and feel more comfortable opening up and sharing their work. Classic icebreakers like " Two Truths and Lie " (where everyone shares two true facts and a lie about themselves, and others guess the fabrication) and the "Name Game" (where each person has to find an adjective to describe themselves that starts with the same letter as their name) can be great simple options. [2] X Research source

- Write about an animal of your choice.
- Open up a dictionary, pick a word, and write what it means to you.
- Create a poem or story that starts with "Hello."
- Write a piece that's inspired by a conversation you've recently overheard.
- Write about something you dread or fear.

- If voting proves too messy (this might be the case, especially if you have many members), an easy and neutral online tool that may help you decide when to hold meetings is doodle.com (or other similar scheduling applications).

- Is your main goal as a group to spark new writing ideas together and actually practice writing during the meetings, or to critique and improve one another's written works? Alternatively, you may want to operate as more of a social/support group for writers, where you talk about your craft and hold one another accountable for your personal writing goals. Decide your focus together, and build that into your mission. [4] X Research source

- Bringing a large sheet of paper and pens (or whiteboard markers if your location has a whiteboard) can be a nice way of involving members in this process. Members can take turns suggesting and writing ideas. You can keep this piece of paper as a reminder for future meetings, or you can take it, type it up, and print it and share copies (or a combination).
Keeping Your Club Going

- It is helpful to bring a notebook to meetings so that new members can share their e-mails and/or phone numbers, and so that you can then add them to any groups or lists.

- It's a good idea to start an e-mail list, a Facebook group, and maybe a group chat so that you can add members and keep them informed and up to date on club meetings and activities. It's all up to you, but clear communication will help your club flourish.

- If you do choose to have writing partnerships be a part of your club structure, you may want to consider assigning writing partners randomly as well as have people change partners periodically. It's a good idea to try to prevent cliques from forming for many reasons: so that no one feels left out, so that members are receiving feedback on their work from multiple perspectives, and so that people are establishing many connections with many different members of different style, backgrounds, and personalities.
- Give members ideas of how to connect with their writing partner. Suggest accessible practices such as, "After you've written your piece, share it with your partner via Google Docs so that you can read each other's work. Then, coordinate a time to meet and discuss one your work in person." Encourage members to do whatever feels most comfortable to them.

- One way to do this is creating and sharing the link to a standing Google Form that is specifically designed for feedback. Creating an anonymous Google Form (or whatever type of digital survey works best for you) will encourage members to voice their opinions. It's good to establish protocol for how this feedback will be dealt with, early on: will you (as the leader) check the responses regularly, and will suggestions be discussed at meetings?
- Another way to gather feedback is to designate an allotted amount of time during meetings to open up the discussion for feedback and suggestions.
- If you and your members do decide that you want to discuss feedback weekly (however you choose to gather it, whether electronically or during meetings), you may also want to discuss the format of this discussion. Will it be an informal discussion? Will people vote? Will it depend on the feedback? These are good points to consider early on when determining club guidelines.

- Let members know what they should bring to the next meeting (i.e. laptop, notebooks, pens, etc.).
- Ideally, set at least a loose agenda for your next meeting, before you wrap up your first one. Your goal should be to get right down to writing and club discussions in your subsequent meetings, now that you've set some ground rules and expectations. [6] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
Community Q&A

- Bringing snacks can be a fun addition to any meeting. But be sure to communicate any allergens (nuts, dairy, etc.)! This will help incentivize people to come to the meetings, and—particularly if your club is hosted during lunch or after school—makes sure that no one is hungry entirely. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
- Bringing some extra notebooks and pens to the first meeting (or first few meetings) is always a good idea, just in case someone forgets their own. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
- Try this fun activity: Pass sheets of paper around so everyone has one. Have everyone write the beginning of a story, pass the sheet to the person on their right, and have them continue the story (then folding the sheet over so the next person can only see the most recently added sentence, not any of the previous sentences). It's sort of like the game "telephone," and you can theme it around a particular topic! ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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- ↑ http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/7-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-starting-a-writers-group
- ↑ https://icebreakerideas.com/quick-icebreakers/
- ↑ http://thinkwritten.com/365-creative-writing-prompts
- ↑ https://www.inkedvoices.com/writing/types/
- ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/writing-groups/writing-group-starter-kit/
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Elementary Assessments
101 Awesome Writing Prompts for Elementary Students
The younger years are a great time to instill a love for writing.
That’s why you’ll be excited to utilize these amazing writing prompts for elementary students.
Elementary kids love to write if they’re excited about the topics.
Here you’ll find a collection of high-interest writing prompts for elementary students that engage.
These writing prompts and journal ideas encourage expression of ideas plus they sharpen writing skills.
So pencil into your lesson plans this week a handful of these fun writing prompts for elementary students.
Writing Prompts for Elementary
Even reluctant writers will enjoy responding to these writing prompts for elementary students.
- Write a story about a time when you felt disappointed.
- Share an exciting memory from your time visiting an amusement park.
- Tell about a time that you laughed uncontrollably.
- Describe the best birthday party you’ve ever attended.
- What career are you thinking to pursue? Why do you think you’ll be good in this profession?
- Why do you think some students are excited to attend school while others not?
- Explain how to make a good grade on a test.
- Write about a time when you helped someone who was struggling.
- What are some things that you could do to encourage a younger child to read more?
- Describe the perfect summer camp experience.
- Write about a time when you became frustrated.
- Do you prefer attending art or music class? Explain.
- What does it mean to be a good brother or sister?
- Compare and contrast yourself with one of your parents.
- Write about a time when you felt relieved.
- Share a memory of a surprise birthday that you experienced.
- Write a letter thanking someone for a birthday gift.
- What does it mean to be appreciative?
- Write about a time when you were afraid.
- Imagine that you are living in the 1800s. Write a journal entry about your day.
- What does it mean to have good table manners?
- How would you describe the beach to someone who has never visited one before?
- Why do you think some elementary students dislike cafeteria food?
- If you could learn to play a musical instrument, which would you choose and why?
- What hobby would you be interested in starting? Why?
- Compare and contrast a pear and a banana.
- What are your greatest strengths, and how can you use them to become more successful?
- Describe your favorite person in the world.
- If you were in charge of the cafeteria’s lunch menu, what foods would you serve and why?
- Share a favorite joke.

- Explain what you think makes school enjoyable.
- Draft a letter to a child in another state or country describing your state.
- Write a review of your favorite movie.
- Describe the place where you feel the safest.
- Tell how to play your favorite recess game.
- How does responding to writing prompts for elementary students improve writing skills?
- Share your after-school routine.
- Is it a good idea to keep secrets? Why or why not?
- What makes you unique?
- Share what someone can do on a daily basis in order to stay healthy.
- Write an article for the school newspaper sharing tips about how to show kindness to others.
- Tell about your favorite TV show or cartoon.
- Explain the best way to care for a pet.
- Would you rather have a snake or a hamster as a pet and why?
- Tell the differences and similarities of water, ice, and steam.
- Imagine the principal invites you to lunch. What do you two eat and talk about?
- Write about what it would be like to live on a cruise ship.
- Describe your action plan for accomplishing your SMART goals this school year.
- Share the things you love most about your favorite relative.
- Tell about your favorite day of the week. What happens on this day, and why is it your favorite?
- How could your teacher make homework more interesting?
- Which month of the year is your favorite and why?
- What do you most look forward to doing when older and why?
- If you were principal for a day, what would you do?
- Think about a big problem in the world, and explain what you would do to solve it.
- Write a letter to yourself 10 years in the future.
- Explain the pros and cons of being an only child.
- If you could create any new law, what would it be and why?
- Write a persuasive letter to your parents persuading them to buy you a new pet.
- Share tips that will help your classmates study better.
- Why do you think it’s important to keep one’s desk tidy?
- Share a memory of watching a fireworks show.
- What do you like best and least about responding to writing prompts for elementary students?
- Explain how a good luck charm works.
- Persuade your mom to let you eat dessert before dinner.
- Imagine that you are teacher for the day. What types of activities will you ask students to do?
- What do you think would be the most exciting job to have in the world? Why?
- Retell the strangest dream you’ve ever had.
- Describe an Easter egg hunt to a child who has never participated in one.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it to help others?
- Explain how figurative language brings a piece of writing to life.
- Write a fictional story about your grandparent as a child.
- If you could meet your favorite book character, who would it be and what would you two do all day?
- What would be on your dream playground?
- How would school be different if you had no technological devices?
- While baking cookies, you accidentally put salt instead of sugar into the batter. Write about what happens next.
- Rewrite the ending to your favorite read aloud book.
- Write a short story about what happens when you wake up one morning with a third ear.
- If you could be any fruit or vegetable, which would you choose and why?
- Create a story about having a pet skunk.
- Imagine being one foot tall. Describe the challenges and adventures you face.
- In what ways can people stay entertained in the absence of technological devices?
- Compose a story using these 5 words: spoon, soup, hungry, potato, family
- What do you predict transportation will be like in the future?
- As you’re walking to school one day, it starts raining money. Write about what happens next.
- Describe a day in your life as an ant.
- Create a new holiday that celebrates or advocates for something you’re interested in sharing with the world.
- If you were a mermaid for a day, what would you explore in the ocean?
- Write a story about the adventures and challenges you experience as an invisible person.
- You and a classmate are in charge of decorating the classroom door for a Reading Week contest. Describe how you will decorate it.
- Describe a food that you don’t like.
- Explain to a pen pal traditions in your country.
- Write about an activity that your family enjoys doing together during the holidays.
- Compose a haiku poem about yourself.
- Share a school tradition that you enjoy celebrating.
- Some things people can do daily in order to stay healthy…
- The most interesting thing I’ve learned this year is…
- A time when I felt great joy…
- Something new that I tried recently…
- Here’s a story about a holiday vacation that went terribly wrong…
- If I were a celebrity, my life would be different because…
- How to safely ride a bike…
Final Thoughts: Writing Prompts for Elementary
Now you have a treasure-trove of writing prompts for elementary students that you can use during writer’s workshop .

101+ After School Club Ideas for Kids of All Ages

After School Club Ideas
After school clubs are a great way to develop kids in different areas. Depending on the club that is created kids can grow in the area of the club such as science, math, history, or the like.
These after school club ideas are sure to help children develop socially as well as help them learn to work as a team and move ideas forward which will serve them well throughout their life.
CLUB PAGES for After School Programs…
DO YOU INCLUDE CLUBS IN YOUR BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM?
Why Should You? Oh! So many reasons!
• Community spirit grows as mixed-ages interact
• Children interact with those they may not know
• Social skills & creativity are nurtured
• Older kids help the younger
• Younger learn from the older
• New skills are learned by both youth and adults; learning is integrated
• Mixed-ages are supported
• With budget constraints…Larger programs can offer the curriculum of smaller programs
• Staff members can share their personal talents & skills; children see staff as interesting _____________
WHERE DO YOU START? HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT COMING UP WITH KIDS CLUB IDEAS?
EVERY YEAR…
Meet with staff to discuss and list interests, hobbies, talents and skills. After compiling all ideas, decide with staff members which club ideas they would be comfortable sharing with the children.
Some interests may be cooking, sewing, sports, games, or parties. Other staff may have skills with languages, dance, science and nature. Each year the list will be as varied as the caregivers themselves!
____________________
KIDS CLUB THEMES/TOPICS…

There are two types of clubs: Topic and Thematic
What is a Topic Club ? A TOPIC CLUB usually has one focus. Example: In a ‘Sports’ Club,’ youth would learn about a sport and improve skills… .
Example of a Science Topic Club… In a TOPIC Science Club , the primary objective would be whatever the projects/experiements include . It could follow the basic steps that make up the Scientific Process . 1. The Research Question 2. The Hypothesis 3. The Procedure 4. The Results 5. The Conclusion
How could you make the above topic club—a ‘Thematic Club’? The ‘Science Club’ would follow a THEMATIC APPROACH; it would include a variety of activities with a ‘ SCIENCE THEME ‘… Activities would be integrated from a variety of fields. When possible, events would be incorporated from: • Arts/crafts • Games • Community Service • Drama • Computers • Cooking • Writing/Journals/Letters/Books/Poetry • Experiments •Outdoor Play • Movies • Math, and so on!
Circus Skills
The greatest show on earth it’s what the circus is called. Why not introduce the kids to this magical show from a young age and a great after school activity.
You can print clown templates and have them color them out, or you can go a step further and teach them some of the circus tricks like spinning plates on a pole, or even juggle some plastic bottles!
Elementary School Clubs List and Themes

- 1980’s
- A Trip to the Future
- Animal Lovers
- Anti-Bully Club or Anti-Bullies Unite!
- Apple Harvest
- Apples and Art
- Apple of my Eye!
- Art Club (Also check out the Snack Recipes for ‘Artsy Snack’ Ideas
- Autumn Harvest Club (Farm & Harvest Theme here)
- Baby-Sitter’s Club
- Birds and Bugs
- Blender Drinks
- Build a Theme Around a Book (See Wacky Wednesday)
- Carnival or Circus
- Characters from a “Favorite Book” Club (Such as Harry Potter)
- Cartoons & Comics
- Colonial Days
- Countries Around the World (France, Mexico, USA Patriotic, Chinese, Cultural Diversity)
- Chinese/China Club
- Clowning Around
- Community Service Club
- Cooking Up a Storm Club!
- Creepy Crawlies ( Worms ) (Insects)
- Disney Fantasy
- Diversity/Multi-Cultural
- Earth Day – Everyday
- Endangered Species
- Exotic Food Club
- Faces and Name Fun
- Farm and/or Harvest
- Fashion Club
- French Club or France
- Geography & Culture
- Good Old USA Days
- Family Nights & Celebrations
- Fantasy & Myths
- Frog Friends
- Getting to Know You (Beginning of School Year)
- Gotta Dance
- Green Thumb Week ( Garden Club Theme …or Flower Club Theme )
- Health Club ( Plan Healthy Heart Day )
- Holidays Around the World
- I Love _________! I love “Butterflies”, “Pumpkins”, “Dogs”, “Monkeys”-“Whatever”!
- Jungle Safari
- Karaoke Club
- Knitting Club (Or Sewing, Embroidery, Needle Work, Rug Hooking, Basket Making, etc.)
- Land Down Under
- Lego & Building Club
- Let’s Cook & Eat
- Let’s Get Fit
- Let’s Go Hollywood!
- Let’s Just Have a Party Club!
- Mad Science
- Magic from the Kitchen
- ‘Mask Making’ Madness Club
- Medival Magic
- Mock Rock/Lip Sync
- Movie Lover’s Club
- Monthly Birthday Extravaganza Planning Club
- Movies and Pizza Club
- Nature Themes:
- Bugs and Creepy Crawlies
- Ocean -Under the Sea
- Ooey-Gooey Concoctions Club ( Goop-Slime ) ( Play Dough )
- Outer Space
- Painting Club
- Pasta Lovers or I Like Pasta
- Planes, Trains & Cars
- Pop, Pop, Popcorn !
- Purple People Eater
- Purple Power Club
- Purplicious or Purple Power (add “icious” to any color or “thing” you like!)
- Rainbows and Sunshine
- Reader’s Theater Club
- Red-White & Blue
- Recycled Masterpieces
- Rock & Roll
- Science Club
- Snow and Snowmen
- Snowflakes
- Spirit Club
- Spanish or Mexican Club
- Stones, Rocks & Pebbles
- Summer Olympics
- Super Heroes (It’s third ‘short theme’ down the page)
- Super Heroes
- Teddy Bears and Other Bears
- Time Machine
- Under the Big Top
- Under the Sea
- Walking Club or Travelers Club (Good for Indoors or Outdoors)
- Water, Water, Water
- Wearable/Edible Art (Make edible play dough, crafty snacks, cereal/candy jewlry, etc.)
- Wild-Wild West
- Wilderness Survival
- Winter Wonderland
- Worms Can be Fun!
- Yarn & String
Sport Theme Club Ideas:
- Ice Skating
- Miniature Golf
- Roller Skating
_______________
INVOLVE KIDS IN PLANNING…
The very first thing to do in effective school age program planning is… FIND OUT WHAT THE CHILDREN WANT TO DO!
Involving children in program planning is a vital part of quality school-age care curriculum.
Ideally, children’s input begins with the introduction of the year, when limits, boundaries, and expectations are introduced. It is never too late however, to engage the children ideas into this year’s schedule of activities.
With experience, comes the knowledge of knowing what the children may like to do.
Incorporating the children’s vision promotes a feeling of belonging, as well as stimulating enthusiasm, anticipation, and creativity. Along the way– altruism, leadership, and a spirit of cooperation are realized.
IDEAS TO GET KIDS INVOLVED IN PROGRAM PLANNING & PARTICIPATION…
METHOD 1… WHO’S INTERESTED…? At the beginning of the year, post a flyer inquiring, “Who’s interested in planning this year’s activities? Tell us what you want to do!” It doesn’t matter how many children sign up, but it will give you a list of your organizers.
If it’s well into the school year, it is most likely apparent who your child program leaders are. Talk to them and other interested kids; inform them of a meeting to brain-storm ideas.
Be sure all other children are aware of the meeting by posting an ‘attention getting notice,’ announcing the purpose, day, and time. At the meeting, empower the children. This is their time to talk about their ideas and wants.
TIP: If your program is large, do this with more than one group. It will be easier to facilitate, and will afford eachage-group a venue to voice its collective thoughts.
Discussing ideas also works during group, or snack time, or when children are simply chatting around a table.Ask if you may join them,then encourage discussionand active listening
METHOD 2… SURVEYS! Use ‘interest surveys and questionnaires’. Provide each new family with an informational program packet. Include a short questionnaire for parents regarding their children’s interests.
Also, occasionally give children an interest form, to indicate things that they like to do in and out of the program.
METHOD 3… SUGGESTION BOX Use a program suggestion box. Have the children decorate a box with a removable cover or slot to use specifically for program ideas and comments. It doesn’t matter if only one suggestion is put into the box, because in addition to receiving ideas, this shows families that we care!
You may find that you’ll need to explain to some of the younger children what a suggestion is! Be sure to always address the suggestions you receive.
METHOD 4… ‘QUESTION OF THE WEEK’ or ‘GRAFFITI WALL’
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Post a question of the week on various program topics. Have children put their responses in a large closed envelope or the covered suggestion box.
Participation can be anonymous, with ideas and thoughts announced at the end of the week, or the beginning of the following week. A children’s committee can also be formed to compile and post weekly idea contributions.
Another similar idea would be to put up a large sheet of roll paper. At the heading, either ask a different question each week.
GRAFFITI WALL: Place a large sheet of roll paper in area where there are no black boards or whiteboards.
On the paper write title ‘Graffiti Wall’. Use any sub-title you like : √ Draw on Me √ Write on Me Or use sub-headings such as: √ Things That Make Me Happy! √ Favorite Things to Do √ Pet Peeves
The wall is a good tool for thought and spontaneous sharing. Consider hanging the wall where kids line up during transition times.
- Keep a box of or markers near the wall. The children can write while waiting.
- The wall can be changed each week, or when written sharing has been completed!
METHOD 5… BOOKS & INTERNET As a staff project, compile Activity Choice Books to be kept on site. From time to time, the children can look through the books and choose activities that appeal to them.
The books can be divided into sections that include: art, crafts, seasonal choices, science, nature, cultural diversity, themes, clubs, word games & literacy ideas, indoor & outdoor games, etc.
This is also a wonderful resource for staff to review and use often!
If you have a computer on site, allow children to visit approved website, searching for activities they’d like to try…
METHOD 6… THE ‘I LIKE WALL’ Early in the program year,another method is to put about twenty-five sheets of paper on the wall, with a pre-heading of topic sentences such as: ‘I like to cook’; ‘I like to help other’; ‘I like to play gym games’; ‘I like to walk’, etc.
These statements can be incorporated with more specific sentences such as ‘I have blue eyes.’The children will think you’re doing a survey; however, as well as learning more about each other, information will be given to you regarding the children in your program.
After the wall questionnaire has been completed, use the sheets of paper as a spring board for ideas. You can look at the cooking section and say, ‘I see a lot of kids like to cook.
How would you like to have a cooking club? You can continue through various popular topics. With this method, it is still advisable to form a ‘planning committee’ using the wall as a source.
This reinforces empowerment. Programs have also used this method successfully well into the school year, to spark children’s input of ideas.
Meetings, talking, just hanging out!
- All children are unique. Building rapport with each child will help you plan a curriculum with their interests in mind.
- Children may say that they only want to color, play outdoors or in the gym; however, getting to know them as individuals will help provide quality programming based on their individuality.
Be sure to use different methods each year ! Now that you know what staff members and teachers like to do and you know what your kids are interested in… it’s time to PLAN YOUR CLUB!
REMEMBER FOR A ‘THEMATIC CLUB’ , activities can be offered that include: arts & crafts, community service, computers, cooking, gym, drama, games, books/reading, outdoor activities, movies, science, writing with journals/letters/poetry, visitors, etc.

CLUB PAGES:
Why Don’t Some Activities Work?
Beginning of the School Year Activities
The Best 17 Ideas for Afterschool Clubs to Excite and Interest Students
17 ideas for afterschool clubs, 1. photography club.
What Facilities You Need
2. Public Speaking Club
3. performing arts club/drama club, 4. cooking club, 5. stem club, 6. art club, 7. singing club, 8. board games club, 9. school newspaper, 10. gardening club, 11. pen pal club, 12. sports club, 13. lego club, 14. yoga club, 16. dance club, 17. foreign language.
Learning a second (or third) language can benefit students in a number of ways. If your school doesn’t already offer foreign language classes (or even if it does), you could help students learn a new language or strengthen their conversation skills with a foreign language club.
Why are after school activities so important for children?
1. teaches new skills.
When children participate in an afterschool club, they can learn new skills. Depending on the club they participate in, they may learn a new sport, how to play an instrument, creative art skills, drama skills, and more.
2. Children Learn Cooperation and Teamwork
Today we have been developing our work on article 15 – the right to meet with friends or join groups. We have been brainstorming to come up with different ideas for after school clubs, ensuring our voices are heard 💡 🧠 @GHandDP_Rights @GreenhillPS #RRSA pic.twitter.com/qimB7OM8pS — Mr Grier (@MrGrierPrimary6) September 23, 2021
3. Opportunities for Social Development
4. movement and activity, 5. academic improvements.
When children participate in an afterschool club, they are more likely to become more involved and vested in their education and grades. The increased self-confidence that can come with being a member of an afterschool club can transfer to improvement in the classroom. Many afterschool clubs can also help children learn important responsibilities, such as time management, that can transfer to the classroom as well.
6. Can Help Working Parents
How to start your own afterschool club, useful recourses, closing words.
Afterschool clubs can help students develop confidence, learn teamwork and cooperation, improve their academic performance, and so much more. Starting your own afterschool club is easy! Plus, with the ideas for afterschool clubs that I shared above, you should have plenty of options to choose from. So, what club do you think you want to start at your school?
Nice. What do you think is the main benefit of afterschool clubs?
I think that the main benefit is Higher confidence and self-esteem. Kids who join after-school clubs are often pursuing a hobby, skill, or subject that they enjoy. As they get better at this activity, they might see a boost in their confidence and self-esteem. That carries over into their outlook and performance in school.
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Writing Prompts for Elementary School Students
Tim Platt/Getty Images
- M.S., Education, Buffalo State College
- B.S., Education, Buffalo State College
Writing is an essential skill and an important part of elementary school studies. However, writing inspiration does not come easily to every student. Like adults, many children experience writer's block , particularly when an assignment is extremely open-ended.
Good writing prompts get students' creative juices flowing , help them write more freely, and ease any anxiety they may feel about the writing process. To integrate writing prompts into your lessons, ask students to choose one writing prompt each day or week. To make the activity more challenging, encourage them to write without stopping for at least five minutes, increasing the number of minutes that they devote to writing over time.
Remind your students that there is no wrong way to respond to the prompts and that they should simply have fun and let their creative minds wander. After all, just as athletes need to warm up their muscles, writers need to warm up their minds.
Elementary School Writing Prompts
- My biggest goal in life is...
- The best book I ever read was...
- The happiest moment in my life was when...
- When I grow up, I want to...
- The most interesting place I have ever been to was...
- Name three things you don't like about school and why.
- The strangest dream I ever had was...
- The person I admire most is...
- When I turn 16, I will...
- Who is the funniest member of your family and why?
- I get scared when...
- Five things I would do if I had more money are...
- What is your favorite sport and why?
- What would you do if you could change the world?
- Dear teacher, I would like to know...
- Dear President Washington, what was it like to be the first president?
- My happiest day was...
- My saddest day was...
- If I had three wishes, I would wish for...
- Describe your best friend, how you met, and why you are friends.
- Describe your favorite animal and why.
- Three things I like to do with my pet elephant are...
- The time a bat was in my house...
- When I become an adult, the first thing I want to do is...
- My best vacation was when I went to...
- The top three reasons that people argue are...
- Describe five reasons that going to school is important.
- What is your favorite television show and why?
- The time I found a dinosaur in my backyard...
- Describe the best present you ever received.
- Describe your most unusual talent.
- My most embarrassing moment was when...
- Describe your favorite food and why.
- Describe your least favorite food and why.
- The top three qualities of a best friend are...
- Write about what you would cook for an enemy.
- Use these words in a story: scared, angry, Sunday, bugs.
- What's your idea of a perfect vacation?
- Write about why someone might be afraid of snakes.
- List five rules that you have broken and why you broke them.
- What is your favorite video game and why?
- I wish someone had told me that...
- Describe the hottest day you can remember.
- Write about the best decision you've ever made.
- I opened the door, saw a clown, and then...
- The last time the power went out, I...
- Write about five things you can do if the power goes out.
- If I were president, I would...
- Create a poem using the words: l o ve, happy, smart, sunny.
- The time my teacher forgot to wear shoes...
- For prompts that ask students to write about a person, encourage them to write two responses—one response about a friend or family member, and another about someone they don't know personally. This exercise encourages children to think outside the box.
- Remind students that their responses can be fantastical. When the confines of realism are eliminated, students are free to think more creatively, which often inspires greater engagement in the project.
If you're looking for more writing ideas, try our lists of journal prompts or ideas for writing about important people in history like Martin Luther King Jr .
Watch Now: 12 Ideas for Great Persuasive Essay Topics
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Journal Buddies Jill | February 10, 2023 February 14, 2022 | Writing
15 Super Persuasive Writing Topics for Kids
Persuasive writing topics for kids to help them grow their writing skills and become accustomed to stating their appeals and offering evidence for their arguments.

Yes! Persuasive Writing Supports Critical Thinking and Personal Expression of Ideas
With an understanding of persuasive tactics and practice in presenting their arguments, kids will improve their critical thinking skills and become better at expressing what they want.
You see…
As kids answer each prompt and attempt each practice argument, encourage them to back up their appeal with at least three logical reasons. Ask students to consider their audience and to choose reasons that will appeal to each person’s perspective.
This type of exercise helps students understand how other people attempt to persuade them—whether it is a friend, classmate, or through advertising and the media.
Writing Instructions and Extra Help
In addition to these lists of persuasive writing prompts, there are also some brief writing instructions to share with your students on how to write persuasively.
If your students need a little extra help developing and refining their persuasive writing skill level, be sure to encourage them to follow the 5 persuasive writing guidelines outlined below.
15 Persuasive Writing Topics for Kids
Use this listing of fun, persuasive essay topics and writing ideas for elementary kids in your classroom today.
- We should not have a school dress code.
- Pets should be allowed in school.
- School break times should be longer.
- There should be no homework.
- The school day should be shorter.
- Children should be able to use cellphones in school.

- I should be able to go to bed later.
- I should be allowed to have a pet (or another pet!).
- I should be able to stay at home on my own.
- I should be allowed sweets (or junk food) every day.
- Nobody should litter.
- Everyone should have to exercise every day.
- We should all grow our own vegetables.
- Smoking should be banned for everyone.
12 BONUS Persuasive Prompts for Elementary Writers
- Year-round school is a good/bad idea
- Life without the internet would be…
- Keeping animals in zoos is…
- Persuade your parents that space exploration is an excellent goal for you to have.
- Everyone should learn a foreign language.
- Saving the planet is…
- Celebrities matter because…
- Professional athletes are…
- The food in school cafeterias is…
- Public schools are…
- Gym class should/should not be required.
- Pass and fail grading is…

31 More Persuasive Writing Prompts for Kids & Students
- Persuade your sister or brother to help you talk your parents into something you want to do.
- Persuade your sister or brother to spend the afternoon doing what you want.
- Persuade your sister or brother to do a favor for you.
- Persuade your sister or brother to save up for something special together.
- Persuade your teacher to let the class work on an assignment with partners.
- Persuade your teacher to give everyone a night off from homework.
- Persuade your teacher to have class outside.
- Persuade your teacher to end class early.
- Persuade your teacher to give the class a reward for a job well done.
- Persuade your teacher to take a field trip.
- Persuade your teacher to let the class bring snacks.
- Persuade your teacher to have a “show and tell” day.
- Persuade your teacher to give out homework passes for good grades.
- Persuade your teacher to let the class have a party.
- Persuade your friend to trade lunches with you.
- Persuade your friend to try something new together.
- Persuade your friend to do what you want at recess.
- Persuade your friend to invite someone new to hang out with you both.
- Persuade your friend to listen to your favorite band or to read your favorite book.
- Persuade your friend to let you borrow something special of his or hers.
- Persuade your friend to watch the movie you want.
- Persuade your friend to join a new club or group with you.
- Persuade your friend to work on schoolwork together.
- Persuade your friend to stay the night at your house.
- What is the best way to persuade someone?
- Are you good at persuading people? Why or why not?
- Write about a time when you successfully persuaded someone. How did you do it?
- What would you do if you tried to persuade someone and they didn’t agree?
- Why is it important to present your argument kindly and respectfully?
- What does it mean to persuade someone?
- What strategies do you use to persuade people?
See this list of 54 Persuasive Prompt Ideas for Students here .
Persuasive Topics by Age/Grade
As you already know, these topics are intended for Elementary age students. But, if you need topics for other age groups, we got you covered. Here are some of those resources on my blog. Enjoy!
- 23 Persuasive Essay Topics for High School Students & Teenagers
- 31 Good Persuasive Essay Topics for Middle Schoolers
And here are 15 more ideas (just for good measure!) from our list of 63 Persuasive Writing Topics .
- Kids should learn how to cook their own meals.
- Music education is important and should be a part of school curriculum.
- Should music producers have more power than band members do?
- There’s a good chance that aliens exist.
- Having too much money can end up being a bad thing.
- Dress codes (and school uniforms) should not be used in schools. Or, yes, they should be mandatory.
- School days are too long and should be shortened.
- The best dessert in the world is _____.
- Should schools allow sugary drinks?
- Should people who are rich pay more in taxes than poorer people?
- Do you think we should give money and other benefits to homeless people?
- Does society treat individuals with mental illness fairly?
- Should you go to school year-round or do you think you should have that summer vacation?
- Are security guards needed in schools?
- Should teachers and schools use social media to communicate with students?
5 Persuasive Writing Guidelines for Students
Persuasive writing is a type of writing in which someone tries to get the reader to agree with their opinion or ideas. Knowing how to write persuasively and learning how to recognize persuasive writing are both valuable skills for kids to have.
Before students start to write, it’s a good idea for them to make a list of the points they want to make to their readers.
Although being able to write persuasively can seem like a hard thing for kids to learn, remind them that everyone has valid opinions. There are a few simple guidelines to follow in order to be able to write a good persuasive essay. They are:
Persuasive Writing Guideline #1:
Start with an introductory paragraph stating your argument and telling the reader what it is you want.
Guideline #2:
Remember you want the reader to agree with you, so use persuasive words and phrases such as those listed below:
Some people believe that
In my opinion
For this reason
I feel that
I am sure that
It is certain
firstly, and
secondly…
Guideline #3:
To support your argument give the reader some facts. This will help convince the reader to agree with your point of view.
Guideline #4:
Give reasons for and against your viewpoint. This will show the reader that you have really thought through your argument.
Guideline #5:
Ask your reader questions as this will get them thinking.
More Good Writing Resources for You
- Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School
- 51 Physical Education Writing Topics
- 30 Mental Health Writing Topics
- Healthy Food — Creative Writing about Food
- Persuasive Writing Unit of Study Curriculum
Until next time, write on…
If you enjoyed these Persuasive Writing Topics for Kids, please share them on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. I appreciate it!
Sincerely, Jill journalbuddies.com creator and curator

Tap to See Prompts 162 Creative Writing Topics and Ideas (Updated!) 27 Amazing Picture Writing Prompts for Kids 54 Persuasive Writing Prompts ------------Start of Om Added --------- @media (min-width: 320px) and (max-width: 767px) { .inside-right-sidebar { display: none !important; } } Featured Posts

Tap to See Prompts 162 Creative Writing Topics and Ideas (Updated!) 27 Amazing Picture Writing Prompts for Kids 54 Persuasive Writing Prompts Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7-8 Grade 9-12 All Ages ------------End of Om Added --------- Tags 30TTWA , Elementary , Elementary Essay , elementary kids , elementary prompts , elementary students , elementary writing , Essay Topics , Grade 1 , Grade 2 , Grade 3 , Grade 4 , Grade 5 , new persuasive essay topics , persuasive , persuasive arguments , Persuasive Essay , Persuasive Essay Topics , persuasive essays , persuasive tactics , Persuasive Writing , Persuasive Writing for Kids , Persuasive writing prompts , Persuasive Writing Topics , writing , writing essays , writing ideas , writing prompts , writing prompts for kids div#postbottom { margin-top: 12px; } Featured Posts
22 Writing Club Names

Need help coming up with a name for your writing club? We’ve put together a list of creative names to help you work through your writer’s block. Let the words flow while browsing our suggestions below, then head on over to our design lab where you can personalize custom t-shirts , notebooks , and more !
Masters of Text
Always Write
Plot Twists
Novice Narrators
From Left to Write
The Pencil Pack
Full of Words
Storytellers
Penning Pals
Best Sellers
Authors Anonymous
The Writers League
Scribe Tribe
Right 2 Write
Freedom of Speech
Writing Warriors
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Alexa Kitchen
Alexa helps contribute fun, original content to the blog. She’s all about finding the perfect play on words to help inspire our customers in creating their ideal t-shirt. If you like silly sayings and catchy slogans, check out more of her posts!
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20 Ideas for Starting a Book Club for Kids
A book club for kids is one of the best ways to combine learning and fun. Many readers are adults here at Book Riot, but when we were kids, I bet we loved book clubs – I know I did! Whether they were through school, the local library, or a bookstore, it was great when someone organized a group of children together who all had the special gleam in their eye when books were the topic of discussion.

There are options now for kids to participate in entirely online book subscriptions, which are great, but there is something uniquely nice about mixing the fun of a play date with reading a new book. Kids who might otherwise want to read all day or play all day get a mix of both, and get to know each other as a result.
If your kid (or niece, nephew, godchild, etc.) would love such a club but doesn’t quite know where to start, make sure they know they can make their own, with or without a book-related organization, and the internet is here with many amazing ideas for getting your book club for kids started!
1. Find great people to join your Book club For Kids
Even if you start with a core of 3 or 4 readers, the club will need avid child readers who will want to continue even if others are more sporadic with their other commitments and the school year’s seasons of intense busyness. It’s good to see if right after school or later in the evening is better for everyone’s schedule as well.
2. Decide on a theme of some kind
A great entry point would be making a comic book club for kids, or maybe your child is really into fantasy literature and want to combine a love for drawing with reading books about fantasy creatures and lands.
Some kids even love using a book club as a way to explore a topic that they can’t get into in-depth at school – we’ve all had our dinosaur phase, or been knee-deep in astronomy for a year or two.
3. Select great books for the first few meetings
With your kids’ input and posts from Book Riot, you can select anything from childrens’ books for the resistance to books for the in-between years when middle grades and YA are both not quite right. Searching our site for Children’s Books will yield even more options, all read and discussed in-depth by Book Riot writers.
4. Figure out how best to meet
These days, your book club for kids aren’t limited to face to face meetings! If your kid met a great new friend at summer camp, encourage them to read books and Skype about them, or send letters through the mail or social media about what they thought of the books.
While the rest of these ideas are mostly for in-person play date/book club meetings, you shouldn’t be limited by distance if you know of kids who would really love to create a virtual place to read, make crafts, discuss, and share excitement about reading.
5. Consider speed
How fast does your child read? Consult with the other core members: how often is reasonable? There are a lot of monthly book clubs for kids, which is a nice mix of giving them some anticipation, some time to get the book read between homework assignments, and doesn’t overburden parents with the need to organize the club all the time.
6. Make your book club for kids special
If you choose an in-person meeting place, make it special and not just another play date. Pinterest and Etsy are great sources for beautiful and crafty inspiration on the book-themed décor of your choice.
7. Take turns hosting
This makes it a more an economical option, and delegating duties to different club members will make them feel like essential parts. If someone brings notepads for jotting things down, or someone else brings a signature item like a gavel to “bring the meeting to order,” it’ll make each meeting feel like it’s part of a continuous book club for kids.
8. Seriously, awesome
Extra points if you can meet in a treehouse or jungle gym.
9. Get the right snacks for your book club for kids
A great book club space is nothing without great book club snacks. When I created a book club in high school, I’m pretty sure that half the people in it chose to participate because there were snacks.
Again, Pinterest can be your guide: my favorite is definitely the gummy worms that are billed as “Book Worms!”
10. Go to online book clubs
While kids have talked about books in school, don’t be afraid to seek out online reading guides for a childrens’ book club. While they may fight structure a little, if you just provide the questions for them and let them choose what to talk about, they may turn to the questions to get their minds racing. Check out this collection of discussion helpers !
11. Consider reading level
Make sure that the kids in your club are at a similar reading level. While adult book clubs can often get away with assuming their many members will all be able to get a lot out of a book, having radically younger members of a book club with kids who are older is likely to cause friction and maybe hurt feelings. If there are multiple ages of kids, consider an older book and a younger book each time, so that the kids can focus on the book they find most satisfying.
12. Don’t make it an adult book club
Just because adult book clubs tend to focus on a long discussion of the book doesn’t mean you have to when creating a book club for kids.
Consider adding a book-themed craft, like making cool book covers for your books. Craft time actually ends up being great time for discussion as glue is drying or paper is being cut. Looking at their crafts displayed in their bedrooms can also remind children of how much fun book club is and how much they want to go to the next meeting.
Check out this Magical Treehouse craft when reading the Magic Treehouse books!
13. Mix in plays, movies, and more
Another way to extend the fun is to turn book club into a lead-in for going to see the play version of a book, or a viewing of the movie version. Learning early about how to compare film, theater, and books is great for kids and feels like fun even when they are thinking critically. Don’t forget to pop some popcorn and make an evening out of it!
14. Add games
If you want to make the meeting more interactive and engaging for high energy kids, consider adding a game! Having a game in the experience will make the lessons of the book stay with the student for longer and keep everyone from wandering off. Games like Roll and Retell , linked below, can combine discussion with an action of rolling dice.
15. Figure out if you’re reading aloud or alone
Younger children may want to have the book read to them, rather than reading alone – there are few ways to make reading come alive for kids better than reading aloud, and if they make a friend while experiencing that joy, even better!
Even for children as developed as 3rd graders, consider starting with these books , guaranteed to keep their attention through different characters and exciting action.
16. Bring in activities
Activities like worksheets and coloring pages can also start the discussion if kids aren’t quite sure what to talk about when they first get to a book club session. Kids are often very familiar with workbook-like pages, and if you look up whatever book you are reading, you are likely to find printable pages that allow them to think through the book they have read and chat about it amongst themselves as they work on the pages.
17. Make it easy to choose
When deciding about the books that children will read in the future, it might be helpful to provide a resource or a list of choices with summaries; while some older children will already have their own ideas, younger elementary school children will benefit from a narrowing of their choices to, perhaps, four options that they can later use if different children express different interests.
18. Get Parents involved in your book club for kids
While you’re deciding for the kids, consider whether some of the parents who are involved might want to read a book together that they can discuss while in the kitchen or in between checking on the kids’ fun. Sometimes, just what parents of book club readers need is their own book to chat about while getting to know the parents of their child’s friends.
19. Hand out fun takeaways
When children leave the book club, they can leave with small favors, like these cool printable bookmarks that say “stay curious” – a reminder that they are part of the club! It’s nice to remind kids why they are doing their reading at home, so that they will be prepared for the book club meeting that is coming up next.
20. Send reminders with parents
Remember to send the parents home with their own little reminder, either about where the club will be next month or how to get in touch to make the planning happen. It doesn’t have to be all the responsibility of one parent, especially if you get that core group of young readers together – a book club for kids can be a good time for parents to connect too, as they share the responsibilities and get their children involved.
What other tips do you have for starting a book club for kids?
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Writing Club Name Generator
Please enter some keywords
1. Choose Your Writing Club Name Keywords
Insert keywords into the generator to describe your writing club.
2. Get Writing Club Name Ideas
Wait for the generator to give you thousands of name ideas. Scan through the list and compare your options.
3. Select Writing Club Names
Choose names you love and decide on one that all your club members will love.
How to name your writing club
Hey, I’m Ashley (Branding Expert) and I’m going to guide you through our four steps to name your writing club. Below you’ll find twenty example names I created in this process and next, I’ll show you how you can create your own. To get started try our writing club name generator above and then scroll below to find the first step in the naming process.
The Writing Adventures Co.
- Writing Solutions
- Ampersand Writing Company
- Writing Tables
- The Writing Program Co.
- Stage Writing Company
- Writing Techniques
The Writing Connections Co.
- The Writing Session
- Writing Letters Company
The Contemporary Writing Co.
Writing Dramatic
- The Scholarly Writer
- Secret Writing Company
- The Story Writers
- Expressive Writing
- The Invented Word Co.
- Actword Co.
Four steps to naming your writing club
This four-step process will help you name your writing club. In this example, I’m creating a name for a writing club that conveys the pleasure and satisfaction that can be obtained from this activity . Here’s each step I took in crafting these club names.
#1) Brainstorm your name ideas
Start by brainstorming what words could fit into your club name. In my name ideas, I used words like “Adventures”, “Dramatic”, “Secret” and “Expressive”. You can see that while these words can be related to a writing club, they also help to show the creativity and fun that can be associated with writing. Your goal here is to create a list of words or names that come to mind when thinking about your club.
If you’re stuck on words to use, try our business name generator .
Here are my name ideas after brainstorming:
- Actword Co
#2) Shortlist your ideas
Once you’ve developed a list of possible names, do an analysis of your ideas. Remove any names that could be hard to remember, spell or speak aloud. Keep names that are brandable, sound great, are memorable and communicate your brand values, product or service to your target audience.
Here’s a quick checklist you can run your ideas through to help shorten your list of name:
- Is the name simple and easy to remember?
- Is the name easy to read and say aloud?
- Is the name different from competitors?
- Does the name convey a relevant meaning?
- Does the name avoid overused words or cliches?
My Shortlist:
Removed Ideas:
#3) Get some feedback
You’ll now have a list of 3-6 great writing club names and you can start to ask potential customers or people working in the industry for feedback (your target audience). Avoid feedback from family and friends, are more likely to praise all your ideas and they aren’t your customer.
Be sure to ask questions like:
- What first comes to mind when you first hear the name?
- How would you spell it?
With you’re customer feedback you can now ask yourself is the name still relevant? and did it represent your business how you intended?
My customer feedback:
This name lets us imagine the way that the right kind of writing can add fun and adventures to life when it is done well.
This name conveys the idea of really getting to know writers and building up a personal connection, removing the fear that it could become a solitary pursuit.
This name shows us that it is a modern, forward-thinking type of enterprise. There is no fear of it being a staid, old-fashioned club with this name.
This name conveys the idea of interesting, good quality writing that captures the reader’s imagination as soon at they start reading it.
#4) Check It’s available
At this point, it’s good to have at least three great writing club names on your list, in case your any of your names are already taken. You can do a quick Business Name Search online to find out if you’re name is available within your country/state, also be sure to search if the name is also available for Trademark and Domain name Registration.
Competitor Name Analysis
To help you brainstorm potential business names, let’s take a look at three successful writing clubs and break down why and how they’ve chosen to name their business and why it works for them.
Writer’s Round Table is a name that lets us picture the writers gathered together around a big table to discuss their ideas. It gives the club more of a personal touch and makes it seem more friendly yet well-organized at the same time.
Write Here, Write Now uses the similar sounds of “right” and “write” to introduce itself in a clever way. The name of the club lets us see right away what it is all about. However, it also gives it a sense of immediacy, as though the time to put off writing has now past.
Writing Without Workshops introduces a club where you can get right down to work from day one. There are no time-consuming workshops to delay your start with this group.
5 Tips for naming your writing club
The ideal business name should be simple, memorable and convey a meaning all at the same time. Here are my 5 tips to keep in mind when developing your business names.
1. Do a Competitor Analysis
Doing a competitor analysis as your first step will save you a lot of time in the future, knowing what names to avoid and understanding why and how your competitors business name words for them will help you in forming your own business names. When analyzing competitors think about:
- What business or product values are they conveying in their business name? How does that work for them?
- Is there a trend in how these businesses are naming themselves? It’s best to avoid sounding like “just another one of those businesses”.
- Who does it best? Why does it work and how can I produce a better name?
2. Focus on Naming your Business not Describing it.
A typical pitfall most businesses run into is describing their business name too literally, using overused writing terms like pen, writer’s group or authors. A more effective business name should convey to customers your businesses and product values at a deeper level. Try name your business in a way that has a story behind it.
Let’s take for example a real writing club named “Write Here Write Now”.
The use of a play on words immediately lets us picture this as a fun group that doesn’t take itself too seriously. They make it seem like the ideal place to start writing straight away but also add a light touch that makes it seem more welcoming too.
3. How to make a more memorable name
Creating a memorable business name is the first step in getting into a customers mind and is also a task that’s easier said than done. Your business name should aim to stop a customer in their tracks and give an extra thought on your product among your wave of competitors. Some tips to create a memorable name would be:
- Use rhythmic pronunciation or alliteration (Writers Work, Write Site)
- Try using a word that wouldn’t be relevant when out of context (scribble – this word lets us picture a writer rapidly putting down words as quickly as possible)
- Keep it short and simple.
4. Try purchasing a Brandable business name
Brandable business names are names that are non-sensical but read and are pronounced well. They often use letter patterns of Vowel/Consonant/Vowel as these word structures are typically short, catchy and easy to say and remember. For example, some brandable writing club names could be:
- A2Z Writing
- Bambam Writers
You can find a full list of Brandable business names at Domainify.com
5. Avoid combining words just to create a unique name.
Another mistake business owners typically make is creating bad word combinations when they find out that their business name idea is already taken. For example, John names his business Writers United and finds out it’s already taken. Because he’s already decided this is what he’ll name his business he tries to opt for similar sounding names like WriteUnite, UnitingWriting or Writunited.
You can see how these ideas are a step backward as they are not catchy, easily pronounceable or memorable. In these situations, we suggest starting from scratch and trying the tips we mentioned previously.
Business Name Ideas
Here’s the ultimate list of related words you could use in your business name. Below is a list of trending, descriptive and action words that are often related to.
Trending Words
Here are the top trending words used in writing club names.
- translating
- instruments
Other Business Name Guides
Related: Blog Name Generator
Related: Book Company Names
Related: How to Start a Writing Blog
Related: How to Start a Webcomic
Related: How to Start a Book Blog
Words Writing Club often describes
(“writing club ______”)
You can use these words to create Writing Club names like ‘The Writing Room’ and ‘The Writing Machine’.
- connections
- relationships
- assignments
- oscillograph
- competition
- instruction
How Writing Club is often described
(“______ writing Club”)
Example writing club names using these related descriptive words ‘The Historical Writing Club’ and ‘Best Writing Co.’ .
- contemporary
- hieroglyphic
- imaginative
- autobiographical
- descriptive
- professional
- philosophical
- collaborative
- journalistic
- biographical
- ethnographic
- theoretical
Writing Club Adjectives
You can use an adjective in your business name to create a business name like ‘ Academic Writing ‘ or ‘ The Creative Writing Company ‘.
- documentary
Writing Club Verbs
You can use a verb in your writing club name to create business names like ‘ Invented Writing ‘ or ‘ Compose Writing Company ‘.
- concentrate
- elaborating
- formulating
Combine Words
We’ve taken words from above and from our generator results and combined the words to create new writing club names.
- writbest (Writing + Best)
- penriting (Pen +Writing )
- worskills (Word + skills)
- Advenwriting (Adventures +Writing)
- ampersating (Ampersand +Writing)
Writing in Foreign Languages
Consider using foreign words in your business name to give the impression of an international or exotic brand.
Latin: noun (scriptura, scriptio, stilus, chirographum, epistula).
French: noun (écriture, la rédaction, la œuvres, l’orthographe, les message).
Italian: noun (la scrittura, il documento, lo scritto, la grafia, la calligrafia).
Spanish: noun (la escritura, escrito, la pluma).

Matija Kolaric
Amazing content is the core of what we do. With more than 5 years of experience in branding, name development, and business, Matija helps create and manage content production.
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Activities for Writing Groups
Touching base.
Mutual support can be one of the most important functions of a writing group. Sometimes encouragement and the knowledge that others are interested in and committed to your work and your progress as a writer can be just as helpful as feedback. To that end, your writing group may want to reserve some time in each session to “touch base” or “check in” with one another. During this time you could:
- Describe your writing activities since the last group meeting in terms of pages written, parts of a project completed, or hurdles overcome.
- If you haven’t written much since the last meeting, you could talk about the kinds of pre-writing activities you have undertaken (research, reading, editing previous work, meeting with a professor or advisor, etc.). Or you could talk about the obstacles to writing that have hindered your progress (writer’s block, having a big exam this week, needing to gather more data before you can write, etc.).
- Explain how work that was discussed during the last meeting is now evolving in response to group comments. You might explain which comments you chose to act on, or tell how a section of the piece has been reorganized or rethought in response to the group’s feedback.
- Share your writing plans for the coming week or two so that your group members will know what kinds of writing they will see and so that you can help one another stick to your goals.
- Decide, as a group, on a theme for the next meeting—brainstorming, drafting, proofreading, style, writer’s block, etc. Choosing a writing issue to tackle together will help you understand the challenges each member is facing at the moment and enable you to plan meetings that will help group members meet those challenges.
Systems for sharing work
Some writing groups ask members to distribute their work in advance of the group meeting, particularly if the piece of writing in question is lengthy. Internet-based file-sharing platforms make it easy to share files, and groups can choose a platform that will offer their members the appropriate level of access and security. Standardized file-naming conventions will help members locate documents easily, e.g., consistently naming folders by Date_Name of writer (11.14.20_Maria or Nov. 14 Maria).
Responding to work that you read outside of the group
The following ideas might help you respond to work that has been distributed beforehand:
- Group members could write comments and suggest editorial changes on their copies of the paper and give those to the writer during the group meeting.
- Group members could prepare a written response to the paper in the form of a letter to the writer, a paragraph, a written discussion of the work’s strengths and weaknesses, or on a form developed by the group. See the Responding to Other People’s Writing worksheet in this packet for a helpful model.
- Group members could respond verbally to the piece, each offering a personal, overall reaction to writing before opening the discussion to a broader give-and-take.
- You could go through the piece paragraph-by-paragraph or section-by-section, with each reader offering comments and suggestions for improvement.
- The author could come prepared with a list of questions for the group and lead a discussion based on those questions.
- One group member, either the author or (perhaps preferably) a different member of the group, could keep careful notes on key reactions and suggestions for the author’s future reference.
Responding to writing presented during the group meeting
Some groups prefer to bring writing, particularly shorter pieces, to the group meeting for immediate discussion. You might bring a draft of an entire paper, a section of a paper, or just a sentence or two that you can’t seem to get “just right.” Many of the above ideas will work just as well for writing that has been presented during the meeting of the writing group. However, since writing presented during the meeting will be new to everyone except the author, you might try these additional strategies:
- Read the paper aloud to the group before launching discussion. The author could read, or another member of the group could read while the author notes things that sound like they might need revision. You could either read the entire text or break it into chunks, discussing each after it is read.
- Group members could also read silently, making notes to themselves, before launching the discussion.
- Read the first paragraph or first section aloud and have everyone in the group briefly write down what he or she thinks the paper will be about or what he or she thinks the thesis of the paper is. Share those responses in discussion.
Sharing writing without the anticipation of feedback
Sometimes, especially with new writing or writers needing a boost of confidence, it can be helpful to share writing without anticipating feedback. This kind of sharing can help writers get over fears about distributing their work or being judged:
- For writers undertaking long projects, sharing a piece can serve to show the rest of the group the progress made since the last meeting, even if the author doesn’t need feedback right now.
- Sharing a piece of writing without expecting feedback can provide the writer with a deadline to work toward without generating anxieties over whether or not the piece is “good enough” to share.
- Sharing writing early in a writing group’s work together can be a no-pressure way to get to know one another’s projects and writing styles.
Brainstorming as part of the group process
Writing groups can provide not only feedback and a forum in which to share work, but also creative problem-solving for your writing troubles. Your group might try some of these brainstorming ideas:
- Have one group member identify a writing problem that needs to be solved. Ask each group member to free-write possible solutions.
- Cut up a copy of a paper that needs organizational changes so that each section, main idea, or paragraph is on its own slip of paper. As a group, move the pieces of paper around and discuss possible options for reorganizing the work.
- After reading a piece, generate a list of items that the group might like to know more about. Organize these questions into categories for the author to consider.
Writing during writing group meetings
Your writing group may choose to write during some of its meetings. Here are some ideas for what to write:
- If everyone in the group has a major deadline approaching, use one session as a working meeting. Meet in a computer lab or other location in which everyone can write and work independently, taking breaks periodically to assess your progress or ask questions.
- Use some writing group time to free-write about your writing project—new ideas, to-do lists, organizational strategies, problems, or sentences for your drafts would all be appropriate topics for free-writing.
- Free-write about the writing process (you could all write about “How I start to write” or “The writing environment that works for me” or “When I sit down to edit…”) and share your responses with one another.
- Write about the dynamics of the writing group as a way of getting everyone’s ideas out on paper. You could free-write about the kinds of feedback that help you, what you like about each other’s writing, your frustrations with the group, and your suggestions for improving the way the group works.
- Spend a few minutes of each meeting practicing a new writing or editing technique you would like to explore.
- See the Writing Exercises handout for more ideas.
Reading during writing group meetings
Just as writing during group meetings can prove beneficial, reading can sometimes help writing groups work together better:
- Pick a book on writing such as Bird by Bird, Writing with Power, Writing Down the Bones, Writing Without Teachers, or Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day and assign yourselves sections to read for each meeting. Discuss the reading during some part of the group’s meeting each time.
- Read about a particular writing topic such as editing techniques or writer’s block during the group meeting, and then spend the session working on that aspect of one another’s writing.
- Bring a piece of writing (an article in your field, an article from a journal or magazine that you enjoyed, or a piece of fiction) that you think is especially well-written. Read over it as a group and talk about what the author did in the piece that made it so effective.
- Bring pieces of data or evidence that you are using in your writing and share them with the group. If the group becomes familiar with the things that you write about, they may be better able to help you write about them effectively.
Bring in a guest
Just as guest lecturers in courses sometimes spice up the classroom experience, guests in writing groups can enliven the discussion:
- Invite a friend’s writing group to have a joint meeting with yours. Share writing from all participants and also talk about writing group strategies that have worked for each group.
- Invite a faculty member or other guest writer to your group to talk about his or her writing process and to offer suggestions for improving your own.
- Bring in a friend who is working on a project related to the project of a group member. This may help your group member develop a network of people interested in his or her particular topic and may also show your friend how helpful a writing group could be.
Your writing group can also help you plan your writing schedule for the week:
- Discuss your writing goals, both broadly and for the immediate future. Ask your group if those goals seem realistic.
- Ask group members to e-mail you with reminders of deadlines and encouragement.
- Create a group calendar in which you all set goals and deadlines for your writing. This calendar could be for a week, a month, a semester, a year, or more. The Writing Center publishes a planning calendar each semester.
- Give each other writing “assignments” for the next meeting.

Make a Gift

For students to become both confident and comfortable writing, they need to practice the habit daily. Devoting as little as 15 minutes of each day to writing can make a big difference.
"That’s where writing prompts are valuable," says Genia Connell, a third-grade teacher in Troy, Michigan.
“I rely on writing prompts for my students to get their daily dose of writing,” Connell says.
Having them on hand is particularly helpful on whirlwind days, as well as when you have a guest teacher or an unexpected substitute filling in, she says. Read on to discover the writing prompts Connell uses in her classroom each spring.
Spring-Themed Writing Prompts
These handy writing prompts stand alone, Connell notes. “They don't need an accompanying mini-lesson,” she says.
Plus, students can complete them independently — no need to pair students up in groups, or stand over them to offer help.
These springtime-themed writing prompts from Connell take advantage of the season, from marking big holidays and events (think Earth Day ) to acknowledging spring’s occasionally stormy weather .
It’s Raining Cats & Dogs
Springtime brings wet weather that’s evocatively described as “raining cats and dogs.” In this writing prompt, students will write a story about what it would be like if it actually rained cats and dogs.
Download a printable that includes the prompt, plus writing space for students to use.
Brainstorming Solutions on Earth Day
On Earth Day—or anytime of year—use this writing prompt to encourage students to think creatively about ways to preserve the planet and introduce key STEM concepts.
Download the Earth Day printable.
Reimagining Paul Revere’s Ride
Patriots’ Day commemorates Paul Revere’s midnight ride. For this writing prompt, students will rewrite the events of that historic evening as if they were occurring today.
Download a printable with this prompt along with writing paper.
An Interview With Mother Nature
Help get kids thinking about nature! For this writing printable, students will brainstorm interview questions for Mother Nature. Next, they can pick one and write out a potential response.
Download the Interview With Mother Nature printable.
Get More Instant Spring Writing Prompts!
This printable includes the writing prompts mentioned above, along with seven additional ideas to get students writing.
Download the printable of 11 springtime writing prompts!
To get more ideas for writing lessons and prompts, shop the print and digital resources below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store .

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After lots of trial and error, Jennifer Cooper has hands-on advice for cultivating a writing club for even the most reluctant young writers. Celebrate summer with these simple crafts and ...
Here are some activities to get your kids' writing group started! 5 Minute Story: Give each student each three slips of paper. On the first they have to write a person/character. On the second they have to write a setting. On the third they have to write a conflict.
Your club should be fun and stress-free, with a range of quick writing games and short challenges. Meet in a quiet place. Give each writer a notebook and pen, or encourage them to buy a nice one. Establish ground rules about privacy, experimentation, practice, sharing and reflection. Write alongside the children.
We have two rules for Writing Club. The first is we are respectful of everyone's ideas; if a fellow student is reading his/her work aloud, we are quiet and listen closely. The second is no one has to read if they don't want to. No pressure. I also give away middle grade books I'm done reading. Winners beam like they've just won the lottery.
Here are 8 Activities to try with third, fourth, and fifth grade students. These activities are to get our young writers excited about writing which will make formal writing tasks less daunting. 1. Think-Write-Pass: This is always a favorite that gets lots of laughs. Put students in groups of four.
Here are a few suggestions of how to advertise your club: Word of mouth: Invite friends and acquaintances, and ask them to spread the word and bring their friends! Talk openly and excitedly about your club: your enthusiasm will help draw the interest of others.
Share a favorite joke. writing prompts for elementary. Explain what you think makes school enjoyable. Draft a letter to a child in another state or country describing your state. Write a review of your favorite movie. Describe the place where you feel the safest. Tell how to play your favorite recess game. How does responding to writing prompts ...
82 Writers' Club Ideas | teaching writing, writing activities, teaching Writers' Club Ideas 81 Pins 9y A L 7 Collection by Alex Cuttle , Amber Peffer and 8 others Similar ideas popular now 4th Grade Writing Holiday Classroom Activities For Kids Crafts For Kids Group Activities Do It Yourself Baby Family Fun Night Night Kids Family Family Math Night
Elementary School Clubs List and Themes 1950's 1960's 1970's 1970's 1980's Aliens A Trip to the Future Animal Lovers Anti-Bully Club or Anti-Bullies Unite! Apple Harvest Apples and Art Apple of my Eye! Art Club (Also check out the Snack Recipes for 'Artsy Snack' Ideas Astronomy Autumn Harvest Club (Farm & Harvest Theme here) Baby-Sitter's Club
Here are 17 of my favorite ideas for afterschool clubs. Read through them, I bet one will give you the inspiration you need to start your own club at your school. 1. Photography Club → 2. Public Speaking Club → 3. Performing Arts Club/Drama Club → 4. Cooking Club → 5. STEM Club → 6. Art Club → 7. Singing Club → 8. Board Games Club → 9.
Here are some after school club ideas to try: Guitar Piano Recorder Drums Violin Cello Flute Double Bass Composing DJ Saxophone Trumpet Trombone Karaoke club Clarinet Beatboxing Choir Genre clubs (rock, pop, soul, etc.) Give out these certificates to congratulate the members of your music club! Music Group Certificates After School Academic Clubs
The best prompts are those that can be interpreted in a multitude of ways by students. With that in mind, we've created 75 simple elementary writing prompts to help your students begin writing! With such active pens (and even more active minds), be prepared for the output of creativity that is sure to begin pouring from the inspired minds of ...
Good writing prompts get students' creative juices flowing, help them write more freely, and ease any anxiety they may feel about the writing process.To integrate writing prompts into your lessons, ask students to choose one writing prompt each day or week. To make the activity more challenging, encourage them to write without stopping for at least five minutes, increasing the number of ...
Use this listing of fun, persuasive essay topics and writing ideas for elementary kids in your classroom today. We should not have a school dress code. Pets should be allowed in school. School break times should be longer. There should be no homework. The school day should be shorter. Children should be able to use cellphones in school.
Mar 29, 2022 - Explore karen reed's board "Writing club" on Pinterest. See more ideas about writing club, writing, creative writing.
22 Writing Club Names The Scribble Society Masters of Text Always Write Plot Twists Novice Narrators From Left to Write The Pencil Pack Full of Words Storytellers Unblocked Penning Pals Write On Wordsmiths Best Sellers Authors Anonymous The Writers League Scribe Tribe Right 2 Write Freedom of Speech Writing Warriors WordPlay From Pen to Paper
13. Mix in plays, movies, and more. Another way to extend the fun is to turn book club into a lead-in for going to see the play version of a book, or a viewing of the movie version. Learning early about how to compare film, theater, and books is great for kids and feels like fun even when they are thinking critically.
1. Choose Your Writing Club Name Keywords. Insert keywords into the generator to describe your writing club. 2. Get Writing Club Name Ideas. Wait for the generator to give you thousands of name ideas. Scan through the list and compare your options. 3. Select Writing Club Names.
Discuss your writing goals, both broadly and for the immediate future. Ask your group if those goals seem realistic. Ask group members to e-mail you with reminders of deadlines and encouragement. Create a group calendar in which you all set goals and deadlines for your writing. This calendar could be for a week, a month, a semester, a year, or ...
February 14, 2023. Grades. 1 - 5. For students to become both confident and comfortable writing, they need to practice the habit daily. Devoting as little as 15 minutes of each day to writing can make a big difference. "That's where writing prompts are valuable," says Genia Connell, a third-grade teacher in Troy, Michigan. "I rely on ...
Each book club has a specific focus, such as character, theme, writing style, or how fiction reveals truth. Students arrive having read the agreed-upon number of pages (as decided by their book club) as well as having prepared a task for the day's focus (as decided by me). Students begin by writing and responding to targeted prompts designed ...