After a long summer vacation, most children will need a little time to ease back into the school routine and that includes writing. But by utilizing fun topics and themes, the transition should be a little easier!
Now is a great time to make dioramas since most students have new shoes for school and should have a nice shoebox in their house. Have each student choose a writing prompt from below and then create a diorama of a favorite part of their summer. Attach the written pieces to the diorama and allow the students to become better acquainted by reading each other’s stories and looking at their dioramas.
Have each student write on the topic of “My Goals This Month”. In the essay, have him write about five goals he has for the first month of school and why he is choosing those goals. Then have him write each goal on a football and place it on a bulletin board designed to look like a football field with goal posts at each end. When he meets a specific goal, he can move his football from the field to the end zone. This is a good tool for getting students started in making goals and achieving them over a short period of time.
Rather than waiting for the end of the year to create a class book, make one at the beginning of the year so students can become acquainted much more quickly. Have the students complete a fill-in-the-blank and short essay sheet that tells about their favorite things, who they are, and their interests. The students can decorate their page with drawings, stickers or pictures cut from magazines. Put all of the pages in a three ring binder so everyone can enjoy looking at them. Putting the sheets in protective sleeves will keep them nicer longer.
Enjoy a great start to the school year and get students writing early with these fun and easy writing prompts and projects!
To find more simple back to school ideas see Simple Activities for the First Day of School and Simple September and Fall Writing Activities.