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10 fun writing activities for the reluctant writer

fun writing activities 6th grade

  10 FUN WRITING ACTIVITIES FOR THE RELUCTANT WRITER

No doubt about it – writing isn’t easy. It is no wonder that many of our students could be described as ‘reluctant writers’ at best. It has been estimated by the National Association of Educational Progress that only about 27% of 8th and 12th Grade students can write proficiently.

As educators, we know that regular practice would go a long way to helping our students correct this underachievement, and sometimes, writing prompts just aren’t enough to light the fire.

But how do we get students, who have long since been turned off writing, to put pen to paper and log in the requisite time to develop their writing chops?

The answer is to make writing fun! In this article, we will look at some creative writing activities where we can inject a little enjoyment into the writing game.

Visual Writing Prompts

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Fun Writing Tasks

25 FUN and ENGAGING writing tasks your students can complete INDEPENDENTLY with NO PREP REQUIRED that they will absolutely love.

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1. Poetry Scavenger Hunt

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The Purpose: This activity encourages students to see the poetry in the everyday language around them while helpfully reinforcing their understanding of some of the conventions of the genre.

The Process: Encourage students to ‘scavenge’ their school, home, and outside the community for snippets of language they can compile into a piece of poetry or a poetic collage. They may copy down or photograph words, phrases, and sentences from signs, magazines, leaflets or even snippets of conversations they overhear while out and about.

Examples of language they collect may range from the Keep Out sign on private property to the destination on the front of a local bus.

Once students have gathered their language together, they can work to build a poem out of the scraps, usually choosing a central theme to give the piece cohesion. They can even include corresponding artwork to enhance the visual appeal of their work, too, if they wish.

The Prize: If poetry serves one purpose, it is to encourage us to look at the world anew with the fresh eyes of a young child. This activity challenges our students to read new meanings into familiar things and put their own spin on the language they encounter in the world around them, reinforcing the student’s grasp on poetic conventions.

2. Story Chains  

The Purpose: Writing is often thought of as a solitary pursuit. For this reason alone, it can be seen as a particularly unattractive activity by many of our more gregarious students. This fun activity exercises students’ understanding of writing structures and engages them in fun, creative collaboration.

The Process: Each student starts with a blank paper and pen. The teacher writes a story prompt on the whiteboard. You’ll find some excellent narrative writing prompts here . For example, each student spends two minutes using the writing prompt to kick-start their writing.  

When they have completed this part of the task, they will then pass their piece of paper to the student next to them. Students then continue the story from where the previous student left off for a given number of words, paragraphs, or length of time.

If organized correctly, you can ensure students receive their own initial story back at the end for the writing of the story’s conclusion .

The Prize: This fun writing activity can be used effectively to reinforce student understanding of narrative writing structures, but it can also be fun to try with other writing genres.

Working collaboratively motivates students to engage with the task, as no one wants to be the ‘weak link’ in the finished piece. But, more than that, this activity encourages students to see writing as a communicative and creative task where there needn’t be a ‘right’ answer. This encourages students to be more willing to take creative risks in their work.

3. Acrostic Associations

Writing Activities,fun writing | acrostic poems for teachers and students | 10 fun writing activities for the reluctant writer | literacyideas.com

The Purpose: This is another great way to get students to try writing poetry – a genre that many students find the most daunting.

The Process: Acrostics are simple poems whereby each letter of a word or phrase begins a new line in the poem. Younger students can start off with something very simple, like their own name or their favorite pet and write this vertically down the page.

Older students can take a word or phrase related to a topic they have been working on or have a particular interest in and write it down on the page before beginning to write.

The Prize: This activity has much in common with the old psychiatrist’s word association technique. Students should be encouraged to riff on ideas and themes generated by the focus word or phrase. They needn’t worry about rhyme and meter and such here, but the preset letter for each line will give them some structure to their meanderings and require them to impose some discipline on their wordsmithery, albeit in a fun and loose manner.

4. The What If Challenge

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The Purpose: This challenge helps encourage students to see the link between posing interesting hypothetical questions and creating an entertaining piece of writing.

The Process: To begin this exercise, have the students come up with a single What If question, which they can then write down on a piece of paper. The more off-the-wall, the better!

For example, ‘What if everyone in the world knew what you were thinking?’ or ‘What if your pet dog could talk?’ Students fold up their questions and drop them into a hat. Each student picks one out of the hat before writing on that question for a suitable set amount of time.

Example What If Questions

  • “What if you woke up one day and found out that you had the power to time travel?”
  • “What if you were the last person on Earth? How would you spend your time?”
  • “What if you were granted three wishes, but each one came with a terrible consequence?”
  • “What if you discovered a secret portal to another world? Where would you go, and what would you do?”
  • “What if you woke up one day with the ability to communicate with animals? How would your life change?”

The Prize: Students are most likely to face the terror of the dreaded Writer’s Block when they are faced with open-ended creative writing tasks.

This activity encourages the students to see the usefulness of posing hypothetical What If questions, even random off-the-wall ones, for kick-starting their writing motors.

Though students begin by answering the questions set for them by others, please encourage them to see how they can set these questions for themselves the next time they suffer from a stalled writing engine.

5. The Most Disgusting Sandwich in the World

Writing Activities,fun writing | disgusting sandwich writing task | 10 fun writing activities for the reluctant writer | literacyideas.com

The Purpose: Up until now, we have looked at activities encouraging our students to have fun with genres such as fiction and poetry. These genres being imaginative in nature, more easily lend themselves to being enjoyable than some of the nonfiction genres.

But what about descriptive writing activities? In this activity, we endeavor to bring that same level of enjoyment to instruction writing while also cleverly reinforcing the criteria of this genre.

The Process: Undoubtedly, when teaching instruction writing, you will at some point cover the specific criteria of the genre with your students.

These will include things like the use of a title, numbered or bulleted points, time connectives, imperatives, diagrams with captions etc. You will then want the students to produce their own piece of instruction writing or procedural text to display their understanding of how the genre works.

 But, why not try a fun topic such as How to Make the Most Disgusting Sandwich in the World rather than more obvious (and drier!) topics such as How to Tie Your Shoelaces or How to Make a Paper Airplane when choosing a topic for your students to practice their instruction writing chops?

Example of a Most disgusting Sandwich Text

The Prize: As mentioned, with nonfiction genres, in particular, we tend to suggest more banal topics for our students to work on while internalizing the genre’s criteria. Enjoyment and acquiring practical writing skills need not be mutually exclusive.

Our students can just as quickly, if not more easily, absorb and internalize the necessary writing conventions while engaged in writing about whimsical and even nonsensical topics.

if your sandwich is entering the realm of horror, be sure to check our complete guide to writing a scary story here as well.

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6. Diary Entry of a Future Self

Writing Activities,fun writing | future self writing task | 10 fun writing activities for the reluctant writer | literacyideas.com

The Purpose: This activity allows students to practice personal writing within the conventions of diary/journal writing. It also challenges them to consider what their world will be like in the future, perhaps stepping a foot into the realm of science fiction.

The Process: Straightforwardly, after working through some examples of diary or journal writing, and reviewing the various criteria of the genre, challenge the students to write an entry at a given milestone in the future.

This may be when they leave school, begin work, go to university, get married, have kids, retire etc. You may even wish to get the students to write an entry for a series of future milestones as part of a more extended project.

Example of Message to Future Me Text

The Prize: Students will get a chance here to exercise their understanding of this type of writing , but more than that, they will also get an opportunity to exercise their imaginative muscles too. They will get to consider what shape their future world will take in this engaging thought experiment that will allow them to improve their writing too.

7. Comic Strip Script

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The Purpose: Give your students the chance to improve their dialogue writing skills and to work on their understanding of character development in this fun activity which combines writing with the use of a series of visual elements.

The Process: There are two ways to do this activity. The first requires you to source, or create, a comic strip minus the dialogue the characters are speaking. This may be as straightforward as using whiteout to erase the words in speech bubbles and making copies for your students to complete.

Alternatively, provide the students with photographs/pictures and strips of cards for them to form their own action sequences . When students have their ‘mute’ strips, they can begin to write the dialogue/script to link the panels together.

The Prize: When it comes to writing, comic strips are probably one of the easier sells to reluctant students! This activity also allows students to write for speech. This will stand to them later when they come to produce sections of dialogue in their narrative writing or when producing play or film scripts.

They will also develop their visual literacy skills as they scan the pictures for clues of tone and context before they begin their writing.

Keep It Fun

Just as we should encourage our students to read for fun and wider educational benefits, we should also work to instil similar attitudes towards writing. To do this means we must work to avoid always framing writing in the context of a chore, that bitter pill that must be swallowed for the good of our health.

There is no getting away from the fact that writing can, at times, be laborious. It is time-consuming and, for most of us, difficult at the best of times. There is a certain, inescapable amount of work involved in becoming a competent writer.

That said, as we have seen in the activities above, with a bit of creative thought, we can inject fun into even the most practical of writing activities . All that is required is a dash of imagination and a sprinkling of effort.

8. Character Interviews

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The Purpose: Character interviews as writing activities are excellent for students because they encourage creative thinking, character development, and empathy. The purpose of this activity is to help students delve deeper into the minds of the characters they are creating in their stories or reading about in literature. By conducting interviews with these characters, students gain a better understanding of their personalities, motivations, and perspectives.

The Process of character interviews involves students imagining themselves as interviewers and their characters as interviewees. They can either write out the questions and answers in a script-like format or write a narrative where the character responds to the questions in their own voice.

The Prize: Through character interviews, students learn several valuable skills:

  • Character Development: By exploring various aspects of their characters’ lives, backgrounds, and experiences, students can develop more well-rounded and authentic characters in their stories. This helps make their fictional creations more relatable and engaging to readers.
  • Empathy and Perspective: Conducting interviews requires students to put themselves in their characters’ shoes, considering their thoughts, emotions, and struggles. This cultivates empathy and a deeper understanding of human behavior, which can be applied to real-life situations as well.
  • Voice and Dialogue: In crafting the character’s responses, students practice writing authentic dialogue and giving their characters unique voices. This skill is valuable for creating dynamic and believable interactions between characters in their stories.
  • Creative Expression: Character interviews provide a creative outlet for students to let their imaginations run wild. They can explore scenarios that may not appear in the main story and discover new aspects of their characters they might not have considered before.
  • Critical Thinking: Formulating questions for the interview requires students to think critically about their characters’ personalities and backgrounds. This exercise enhances their analytical skills and storytelling abilities.

Overall, character interviews are a dynamic and enjoyable way for students to delve deeper into the worlds they create or the literature they read. It nurtures creativity, empathy, and writing skills, empowering students to become more proficient and imaginative writers.

9. The Travel Journal

Writing Activities,fun writing | fun writing activities | 10 fun writing activities for the reluctant writer | literacyideas.com

The Purpose: Travel journal writing tasks are excellent for students as they offer a unique and immersive way to foster creativity, cultural awareness, and descriptive writing skills. The purpose of this activity is to allow students to embark on a fictional or real travel adventure, exploring new places, cultures, and experiences through the eyes of a traveller.

The process of a travel journal writing task involves students assuming the role of a traveler and writing about their journey in a journal format. They can describe the sights, sounds, tastes, and emotions they encounter during their travels. This activity encourages students to use vivid language, sensory details, and expressive writing to bring their travel experiences to life.

The Prize: Through travel journal writing tasks, students will learn several valuable skills:

  • Descriptive Writing: By describing their surroundings and experiences in detail, students enhance their descriptive writing skills, creating engaging and vivid narratives.
  • Cultural Awareness: Travel journals encourage students to explore different cultures, customs, and traditions. This helps broaden their understanding and appreciation of diversity.
  • Empathy and Perspective: Through writing from the perspective of a traveler, students develop empathy and gain insight into the lives of people from different backgrounds.
  • Research Skills: For fictional travel journals, students might research specific locations or historical periods to make their narratives more authentic and accurate.
  • Reflection and Self-Expression: Travel journals offer a space for students to reflect on their own emotions, thoughts, and personal growth as they encounter new experiences.
  • Creativity and Imagination: For fictional travel adventures, students get to unleash their creativity and imagination, envisioning fantastical places and scenarios.
  • Language and Vocabulary: Travel journal writing tasks provide opportunities for students to expand their vocabulary and experiment with expressive language.

Overall, travel journal writing tasks inspire students to become more observant, empathetic, and skilled writers. They transport them to new worlds and foster a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. Whether writing about real or imaginary journeys, students develop a deeper connection to the places they encounter, making this activity both educational and enjoyable.

10. The Fairy Tale Remix

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The Purpose: A fairy tale remix writing activity is a fantastic creative exercise for students as it allows them to put a unique spin on classic fairy tales, fostering imagination, critical thinking, and storytelling skills. This activity encourages students to think outside the box, reinterpret well-known tales, and explore their creative potential by transforming traditional narratives into something entirely new and exciting.

The process of a fairy tale remix writing activity involves students selecting a familiar fairy tale and altering key elements such as characters, settings, plot twists, or outcomes. They can modernize the story, change the genre, or even mix different fairy tales together to create a wholly original piece.

The Prize: Through this activity, students will learn several valuable skills:

  • Creative Thinking: Students exercise their creativity by brainstorming unique concepts and ideas to remix the fairy tales, encouraging them to think imaginatively.
  • Critical Analysis: Analyzing the original fairy tale to identify essential elements to keep and areas to remix helps students develop critical thinking skills and understand storytelling structures.
  • Writing Techniques: Crafting a remix requires students to use descriptive language, engaging dialogue, and well-developed characters, helping them hone their writing techniques.
  • Perspective and Empathy: Remixing fairy tales allows students to explore different character perspectives, promoting empathy and understanding of diverse points of view.
  • Genre Exploration: Remixing fairy tales can introduce students to various genres like science fiction, fantasy, or mystery, expanding their literary horizons.
  • Originality: Creating their own narrative twists and unexpected plots encourages students to take ownership of their writing and develop a unique voice.
  • Storytelling: Students learn the art of compelling storytelling as they weave together familiar elements with innovative ideas, captivating their readers.

By remixing fairy tales, students embark on a creative journey that empowers them to reimagine well-loved stories while honing their writing skills and imaginative prowess. It’s an engaging and enjoyable way for students to connect with literature, explore new possibilities, and showcase their storytelling talents.

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22 Writing Activities To Help Kids Hone Their Writing Skills

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Written by Maria Kampen

Prodigy English is here! Get your students playing — and learning — today.

Fun writing activities

Creative writing activities, academic writing activities, at-home writing activities, daily writing activities, simple writing prompts for kids.

  • How writing activities can bring reluctant writers out of their shells

Try some other educational activities

When kids start writing, they’re unlocking a whole new world of imagination to explore. It’s a great way for them to be creative, express themselves and practice key reading and writing skills. 

But as most kids — and adults — will tell you, writing is hard! It can be intimidating to put pen to paper for the first time, and sometimes the challenge of a blank page seems like too much to overcome. 

Writing shouldn’t be scary for kids. These 22 fun writing activities can help them:

  • Use their imagination
  • Think up new stories and ideas
  • Share their writing with friends and family

Use them in your classroom or at home to get kids excited about writing!

Three students complete fun writing activities at school.

Writing is supposed to be fun! Use these activities to help kids stretch their imagination and record their thoughts on paper in a fun, low-stress environment.

1. Try online ELA games like Prodigy English

Great for: Grades 1 to 6

Online games are a great way to engage students in the learning process — and Prodigy English is bringing the power of game-based learning to language and reading skill practice!

As students build and create, they’re always practicing key reading and language skills that help them write clearly and effectively. Every correct answer gives players more energy to gather resources, complete daily tasks and earn Wishcoins.

Plus, you can send questions about the topics you want them to practice and collect insights about their learning.

2. Poetry scavenger hunt

Great for: Middle and high school students

Words are all around us, so encourage your students to take inspiration from the real-life writing they see every day. Have students collect printed words and phrases from the world around them, including:

  • Magazine ads
  • Graphic novels
  • Newspaper headlines
  • Social media captions

Students can collect and arrange their words on a piece of paper to make a unique piece of poetry. Encourage them to find a key idea and expand on it in creative ways, then have students share their work with the class. 

3. Create your own comic strip

Great for: Grades 4 to 10

Students learn in all sorts of ways. For visual learners, creating a comic strip to accompany their story can help them express themselves in a visual medium. 

Give students a set number of panels and challenge them to come up with a quick story — just a few sentences. Then, they can illustrate their scene in the style of comic books. 

Remind students the point isn’t to be the best artist — it’s to write a story that’s short and exciting. 

4. Create your own Madlib

Great for: Elementary and middle school students

Give students vocabulary practice and help them write a silly story at the same time!

Fill a sheet with the outline of the story, then remove key words like:

For younger students, add a word bank to get them started. As students fill in words, they’ll craft a unique story filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Young student sits at a table with pencil and paper during creative writing activities.

Once students start getting in the habit of writing, these creative writing activities can pull new ideas out of their heads and encourage them to experiment with different genres. 

5. Acrostics

Great for: Grades 3 to 8

Acrostic poems are a great way to introduce your students to poetry! Start with a meaningful word or name and use it as a theme for the poem. 

Writing the word vertically, students can go down the letters and write a short word or phrase that starts with each letter. Acrostic poems help students write within a structure and theme, so it’s easier for them to get started. 

6. A letter to your future self

Great for: Middle school and high school

Where do your students see themselves in a year? Five years? Ten years?

A letter to their future selves is a great way for students to explore their own story, and brainstorm what they want to achieve. Not only can students practice their letter-writing skills, they can use their imaginations to develop a growth mindset . 

For extra nostalgia, store the letters for students and mail them out once the right amount of time has passed. 

7. Write a “Choose your own adventure” story

Great for: Grades 5 and up

Whether it’s a fairy tale, detective story or drama, chances are you’ve had a student tell you they don’t know how their story is supposed to end. 

A “Choose-your-own-adventure” story lets students brainstorm different storylines and endings. Once they’re done, encourage them to share their stories with the class so their peers can go on the adventure too.

8. Write a fake advertisement

Great for: Grades 6 and up

Good writing doesn’t just happen in books — it’s all around us!

Whether students are writing advertisements on their own or as part of a project-based learning assignment , this activity helps them build key media literacy skills and practice their snappy storytelling. 

Have students make up a new product and advertisement, or encourage them to re-imagine an ad for something they love. It’s also a great way to bring media literacy and interdisciplinary learning to your classroom. 

9. Make a story map

Great for: Grades 2 to 8

Not every student is going to be comfortable putting pen to paper right away. Story maps can help students brainstorm details like plot, characters and setting in a way that makes sense for visual learners. 

Have students use charts to set out the beginning, middle and end of their stories. Mind maps can also help them plot out details about their characters or setting. 

Encourage students to present their story map as a finished product or use it to start writing!

Students works with a textbook, pencil and paper in the classroom.

Writing isn’t all fairy tales and short stories — it’s also an important part of learning in middle school, high school and college. Use these academic writing activities to help students understand proper essay structure, grammar and more. 

10. Story chains

Great for: Grades 4 to 8

Stories are better when they’re enjoyed with friends and classmates. And story chains encourage every student to get involved!

Put students in small groups of three to six. Give each student a blank piece of paper and have them write the beginning of a story. Then, pass it to the next student in the group so they can write what happens next. 

For extra educational value, have students work together to summarize a story from your lesson or an important historical event. 

11. Persuasive essays

Sometimes writing is about more than just telling a story. It’s about convincing your readers of your point of view. 

Have older students practice their debate skills with persuasive essays. Start with a prompt, then let students make their case. Some of our favorite prompts for this writing assignment include:

  • Is it more important to be right or to not hurt someone else’s feelings?
  • What important historical figure do you think belongs on the ten-dollar bill and why?
  • Do you think you’re born with your personality traits, or do you gain them as you grow up?

Most importantly, make sure students back up their opinions with solid facts and arguments that convince readers to care. 

12. Solve a real-world problem

Great for: Grade 6 and up

Climate change, litter, bullying, bad cafeteria food — no matter what students pick, there are lots of real-world problems for them to solve. 

Challenge students with a writing assignment that addresses a problem they see in their world. How would they fix it? Whether it’s a short paragraph or a longer essay, encourage them to find something they’re passionate about. After all, that’s where good writing comes from!

13. Vocabulary challenge

Great for: Elementary school students

Vocabulary challenges combine vocabulary strategies with student writing to make your next language arts lesson plan even more engaging. 

Give students a new word (or two or three). Once you’re done practicing it and they know what it means, challenge them to use it in a story as creatively as possible. 

14. Teach citations

Great for: Grades 1 to 12

Footnotes, endnotes and bibliographies are the least exciting part of writing, but they’re essential skills. As students write more complex research papers, they need to know how to give credit where credit is due. Thankfully, there are lots of online resources to help!

The Purdue Online Writing Lab offers teachers and students resources for all stages of the writing process, including citations. To practice, students can write an annotated bibliography as part of a project-based learning assignment or the first step in writing a longer research paper. 

Young girls works with her father on writing activities on their couch.

Writing isn’t just something happening in the classroom. These at-home writing ideas can help you support your child as they experiment with prose and poetry.

15. Write letters to a pen pal

Great for: Grades 3 and up

Everyone likes getting mail! Got a friend with kids in a different part of the country, or far-away family members? A pen pal can be a great way for kids to build friendships and practice their writing skills at the same time. 

16. Bring a home object to life

“It’s as big as a mountain!”

“That’s the fluffiest thing I’ve ever felt!”

The ways kids describe things can crack us up sometimes. Full of wonder and hyperbole, it’s the perfect spark for creative writing, too.

Encourage kids to practice their figurative language skills with a description of something in your home. Let them pack as much alliteration and exaggeration into the description as they can, then do a dramatic reading out loud.  

17. Write reading reactions

If you want to boost reading comprehension and writing skills at the same time, this is the perfect activity. After your child is done reading, encourage them to write a few sentences about what they just read. 

Did they like it? What do they think happens next? Which character was their favorite and why? Learning how to express opinions in writing is a valuable skill. 

18. Document family stories

Great for: Grades 4 and up

Every family has a unique story, including yours. Make memories with your child when you share stories about important family events or your childhood. 

Kids can even interview grandparents, aunts and uncles to record their memories. When you’re done, store them in a shared space so everyone can go back and reminisce.

A person sits at a desk with a notebook, paper, pen and coffee cup.

Writing is a muscle, and you have to flex it every day to get stronger. Use these daily writing activities to make writing part of your everyday routine. 

19. Journaling

Great for: Everyone

Sometimes, you’ve just gotta write it out. 

Whether you’re trying to make sense of life or just need a place to organize your thoughts, journaling is a great way to unwind, practice mindfulness and build social emotional skills . 

All kids need to get started is a notebook and a pen. Let them know you’re not going to read it, but they’re welcome to come to you if there’s something they want to talk about. 

20. Blog about your interests

Great for: High school and up

Everyone’s passionate about something. Whatever your students love, encourage them to share it with the world! Blogging is an accessible and fun way to express themselves, nerd out about the things that bring them joy and share their opinions with the world. 

Sites like WordPress and Wix offer free website builders to help students get started. This is a great way for kids to build computer skills and digital literacy .

21. Free writing

Write, write, write and don’t stop. That’s the premise behind free writing, a writing practice that can help unlock creativity, discover new ideas and take the pressure out of a blank page. 

Give students a five-minute timer and challenge them to write continuously, without worrying about formatting, spelling or grammar. They can write about whatever they want, but there’s only one rule: don’t stop. 

22. Answer daily writing prompts

Make time to exercise your brain with daily writing prompts! At the start of the day or as a quick brain break , set aside time for students to respond to a quick daily writing prompt. 

Students should have a dedicated journal or binder to make it a seamless part of your lessons. Whether or not you choose to read their writing is up to you, but it’s important to build good daily habits. 

Teacher and child sit in the classroom and work on writing activities together.

A blank page can be a scary sight for a student who doesn’t know what to write about. 

Use writing prompts to:

  • Kickstart a student’s imagination
  • Start your lesson with a fun writing activity
  • Give students a topic to debate in writing

Some of our favorite simple writing prompts include:

  • Write a story about a wooden door, a can of soda and a blue shoe. 
  • If you met a monster looking for new friends, what would you do?
  • What’s your favorite season? What makes it the best?
  • If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
  • Describe your dream birthday cake. 
  • Write a story about being cold without using the word “cold.”
  • If you could decorate your bedroom any way you wanted, what would it look like?
  • Is it better to have lots of friends or just a few really good friends?
  • Write a story in 10 words or less.
  • Write a story about the best surprise you’ve ever received. 

For more writing prompts you can use in and out of the classroom, check out our full list of 225 writing prompts for kids .

Writing activities can bring reluctant writers out of their shells

Writing is hard and can be intimidating for a lot of students. 

But even the quietest and most reluctant students have lots of stories to tell! You just have to encourage them to get their words out. 

Writing activities help remove some of the pressure and give students:

  • A fun way to approach writing 
  • A starting point for their stories
  • Chances to share their writing with students

No two stories are the same, just like your students. Every story can start in a different way, and that’s the beauty of writing prompts.

Whether it’s writing activities or math problems, there are lots of ways to get reluctant learners excited about your lessons with educational activities. 

Here are some of our favorites:

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  • 30 Virtual School Activities Students & Educators Love  
  • 27 Best Educational Games for Kids to Play Sorted by Subject  
  • 15 Geometry Activities to Engage Students Across Grade Levels
  • 36 Fun Word Games for Kids To Help with Vocabulary & Literacy
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  • 20 Exciting Math Games for Kids to Skyrocket New Math Skills On-The-Go
  • 21 Classroom Games to Boost Teacher Effectiveness and Student Learning
  • 25 Social Emotional Learning Activities & How They Promote Student Well-Being

Which ones can you use in your next lesson?

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50 Engaging 6th Grade Writing Prompts for Thoughtful Essays

Sixth grade marks a big transition in students’ lives. They’re no longer little kids, but they’re not quite teens either–that’s what middle school is all about. To help your students bridge this transition with ease, it’s important to give them plenty of opportunities to practice their writing skills since they’ll be doing a lot of writing in high school and beyond.

Over and above that, writing can be the perfect way for kids to express themselves and explore the world around them. That will only happen if you give them the space to do so, though, so here are 50 engaging 6th-grade writing prompts to help your students get their creative juices flowing.

Narrative Writing Prompts

notepad and pen image

Narrative writing revolves around telling a story with a plot that has rising action, a climax, and a resolution. These narrative writing prompts will give your 6th-grade students plenty to think about–and write about.

Story Starters

teenage girl writing and using a laptop

Students will often struggle with where to start their stories. These story starters will help them get past that initial hurdle by giving them some ideas to get their narratives going.

1. I had the biggest fight with my best friend yesterday. It all started when…

2. My first trip to the beach wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would be…

3. I’ll never forget the time when I was lost in the city. It was…

4. I had the biggest surprise of my life when…

5. My family went on the craziest road trip last summer. We started out by…

As you guide your students through their writing journey, make sure to encourage them to be creative and have fun with it – but still have them include the essential elements of a story, like rising action, a climax, and a resolution, so that their stories are well-rounded and engaging.

Personal Narrative Prompts

boy giving gift to a girl classmate

Personal narratives are all about giving students the opportunity to tell their own stories in descriptive ways. Here are writing prompts to get them started.

6. What’s the best (or worst) birthday you’ve ever had? Why was it so great (or terrible)?

7. What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done? What made you do it?

8. Think about your future self–where do you see yourself in 1 year? Write about it.

9. Think about the best day you’ve ever had. What made it so special?

10. Describe a time when the weather was really extreme. Describe it.

Reflective Writing Prompts

girl thinking of bright ideas

Reflective writing is a lot like journaling–it gives students the opportunity to process their thoughts and feelings on a given topic. These reflective writing prompts/journal prompts will encourage thoughtful reflection in your students while giving them some fun.

11. Make a list of your favorite things about yourself.

12. Take a walk in nature and describe what you see. What emotions does it evoke in you?

13. Describe your sports or extracurricular activities. What have you learned from them all?

14. Make a list of all the emotions you experience throughout the day.

15. Make a record of your daily objectives. Consider which one was the most simple to accomplish.

Journal prompts are usually effective because they make you think about a certain topic in a different, more introspective way, and so students should be encouraged to approach these writing prompts with open minds and hearts.

Informational Writing Prompts

students writing essays in school class

Informational writing is an essential skill for middle-schoolers, especially as they head into high school and college, where they’ll be expected to write long-form essays rather than fiction. These informational writing prompts will give your students plenty of practice with this type of writing.

Expository Prompts

two students talking and laughing

Expository writing is a type of nonfiction writing that requires students to investigate an idea, assess evidence, expand on the idea, and present an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. These prompts will help your students hone their expository writing skills.

16. Compare and contrast two of your friends.

17. Choose a challenge at your school. What’s the ideal solution for it?

18. Discuss a problem in a movie you enjoy. What was the outcome of the situation?

19. What was the cause of a recent argument you had? What was the effect?

20. Find an interesting story/narrative in your local newspaper and tell it in your own words.

Research Prompts

students writing in front of a laptop

Next, research writing prompts will help students practice their research skills by investigating a given topic and finding credible sources to support their claims. These research writing prompts will allow your students to conduct investigative research and write about what they’ve found in detail.

21. How long can fish survive without water?

22. What animals are on the verge of extinction?

23. What’s the history of your favorite sport, and how did it develop?

24. What are people’s civil rights, and who has fought for them?

25. Explore your dream career. What skills would you need to succeed in it?

This may be a good time to introduce your students they could use to reference their information and give credit where it’s due. Inform them that not all sources are created equal, and brainstorm some tips for evaluating the credibility of a website.

Procedural Prompts

girl studying at home with headphone and laptop

As their name suggests, procedural writing prompts provide students with the opportunity to write clear and concise instructions on a given topic. These prompts will help your sixth graders learn the essentials of procedural writing.

26. Make a user guide for anything you use frequently (e.g., your computer, smartphone, video game console).

27. Write a set of instructions for cleaning your room.

28. Teach a younger reader how to do homework without wasting time.

29. What’s the quickest way for you to go to the library if you’re in your classroom now?

30. Describe the steps involved in tying a shoe.

Argument Writing Prompts

students writing classroom activity

The next type of writing prompt is argument writing. Argumentative writing is a type of nonfiction writing that requires students to investigate a topic, collect evidence, and assess their findings to defend a point of view while also considering the perspectives of others.

These argumentative writing prompts will give your young writers practice with this type of persuasive writing.

Argumentative Essay Prompts

teacher helping students in class

The most common type of essay prompt on standardized tests is the argumentative essay question since it’s intellectually challenging. In these questions, students will be given a prompt and they’ll be asked to take a position on an issue or topic.

They’ll then need to provide satisfactory evidence from their research to support their position. Here are some prompts to get them started.

31. Should school uniforms be required in all schools?

32. Is it ever okay to break the law?

33. Do you think people should be required to vote? Why or why not?

34. Is Monday through Friday the best school schedule?

35. Is it important to learn science?

Persuasive Prompts

teacher and students in a class discussion

Emotional appeals can be a powerful tool in persuasive writing. In these prompts, students will need to use their powers of persuasion and other rhetorical strategies to convince their readers to see their point of view. Here are persuasive prompts to put your students’ powers of persuasion to the test.

36. Make a case for or against year-round schooling.

37. Should there be a limit on the amount of homework students can receive?

38. Persuade your parents to let you choose your own bedtime.

39. What’s the best way to deal with bullies in schools?

40. Who’s the greatest sports athlete of all time?

Poetry Prompts

poetry text word image

Poetry prompts are a great way to get your students to write creatively. These prompts will help your students tap into their imaginations and write poems that are both beautiful and moving. Whether in free verse or strict meter, your students will be sure to impress you with their poetic prowess.

41. Write about how you’re feeling right now in a  haiku .

42. Create a poem in memory of a book, TV, or film character who has died.

43. Choose an onomatopoeia and use it five times in a poem.

44. Consider a metaphor for the current school year and create a poem about it.

45. Write a friendship poem in which every line includes a  rhyme for “friend.”

Creative Writing Prompts

student with notebook and laptop picture

Last but not least, creative writing is all about using imagination to create a piece of writing that’s unlike anything else. This creative writing prompts will help your students tap into their imaginations and write some truly unique pieces revolving around self-expression.

46. If I could have any superpower, it would be…

47. Write about a day in the life of your favorite cartoon character.

48. If you could be a historical figure for a day, who would you choose to be?

49. Write a family story from the perspective of your pet.

50. Invent a new holiday and describe how it’s celebrated.

Jump In : Better prepare your 6th graders for this activity by improving their reading comprehension first! Proceed to read my list of fun comprehension exercises here —  11 Fun 6th Grade Reading Comprehension Activities (& Games) .

Dust Off Those Pencils and Get Ready to Write! 

While many students lose motivation as their first middle school year goes on, these 50 6th grade writing prompts will help keep them excited about writing all year long. With tons of different genres and modes of writing to choose from, there’s something here for everyone! So get those pencils sharpened and those minds thinking—it’s time to start writing!

Last Updated on July 24, 2022 by Emily

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fun writing activities 6th grade

Explore 6th Grade Writing classroom activities to inspire and engage your students

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6th Grade Writing

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Free Printable Creative Writing Worksheets for 6th Grade

Creative Writing: Discover a world of imagination with our free printable Reading & Writing worksheets for Grade 6 students. Enhance your students' skills and creativity with Quizizz's diverse resources.

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Explore printable Creative Writing worksheets for 6th Grade

Creative Writing worksheets for Grade 6 are an excellent resource for teachers looking to engage their students in the world of reading and writing. These worksheets provide a variety of activities and exercises designed to help students develop their skills in fiction writing, as well as other forms of creative expression. By incorporating these worksheets into their lesson plans, teachers can provide a structured and supportive environment for students to explore their creativity and improve their writing abilities. With a focus on reading and writing, these Grade 6 worksheets offer a comprehensive approach to developing students' literacy skills, ultimately preparing them for more advanced writing tasks in the future.

Quizizz is a fantastic platform that complements Creative Writing worksheets for Grade 6, offering teachers a variety of interactive and engaging activities to further enhance their students' learning experience. This platform provides a wide range of quizzes and games that can be tailored to specific topics, such as reading and writing or fiction writing, allowing teachers to reinforce key concepts and assess their students' progress. In addition to its extensive quiz library, Quizizz also offers a variety of other resources, including flashcards and interactive presentations, making it an invaluable tool for teachers seeking to create a dynamic and immersive learning environment for their Grade 6 students. By incorporating Quizizz into their lesson plans, teachers can ensure that their students are not only developing their creative writing skills but also having fun in the process.

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100 creative 6th Grade Writing Prompts

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100 Creative 6 th Grade Writing Prompts

Sixth grade is the right time to introduce students to activities that promote self-expression and improves their overall writing skills. In this post, we have come up with a list of 100 writing prompts — from storytelling and expository to research and creative writing prompts — to help students tap into their creativity and hone their writing skills.

In this post, we have for you:

  • Storytelling writing prompts
  • Research writing prompts
  • Reflective writing prompts
  • Narrative writing prompts
  • Expository writing prompts
  • Procedural writing prompts
  • Creative writing prompts

So, let’s put this show on the road.

fun writing activities 6th grade

Storytelling writing prompts for 6 th grade

  • When we found that the grandpa’s closet opens up to a deep forest, we decided to…
  • As I was walking around the local park, a dog came up to me and said, “You have got to listen to my story.” And then he began speaking…
  • The most surprising thing we have found in our school was…
  • As I was cleaning the attic in my grandparent’s house, I found the genie’s lamp. I decided to…
  • My brother and I were in the first fight ever. It all began when…
  • Our dream family vacation to… got canceled my younger brother woke up with…
  • As the world’s first 12-year scientist, I need to share my invention…
  • My first road trip with my dad didn’t go as per the plan. First…
  • When Lucy opened her lunch box, she couldn’t help exclaiming “Ugh” because the food looked as gross as…
  • I got the biggest surprise of my life when my dog…
  • I had never laid eyes on a dragon until that morning when our school took us to the nearby jungle as part of a trekking tour.
  • I woke up one morning only to find I have been turned into a big bug. While I was still coming to terms with this, my mother shouted, “Hurry up or you’ll be late for the school.” So I did what I had to do, which was…

Research writing prompts for 6 th grade

  • How much time do students spend on the internet?
  • How much screen time students have per day?
  • Does social media makes peer pressure worse?
  • How long can human beings survive without water?
  • How long can human beings survive without food?
  • How long can fish survive out of water?
  • Research your dream career? Mention all the things you must do to achieve it.
  • Research the childhood of your favorite writer?
  • When, why, and how was your country founded?
  • How long camels can go without drinking water? Can they survive long? If yes, how do they manage that?
  • How smoking affects your lungs?
  • Which has been the most important discovery in the last 50 years?
  • What steps can we take to minimize global warming?
  • What are civil rights? Who fought for them?
  • How do penguins survive in extreme cold?
  • Are polar bears good swimmers? If yes, how are they able to swim efficiently in spite of their weight?
  • How much food does an elephant needs in a day?
  • How shark uses senses to hunt?

fun writing activities 6th grade

Reflective writing prompts for 6 th grade

  • Write about a time when you were not able to keep a promise. What had happened? How did you feel?
  • What’s the best thing about being in the 6 th grade?
  • What’s the worst thing about being in the 6 th grade?
  • What has been your biggest learning in the last six months?
  • What are the qualities that a good friend must have?
  • Write about three qualities you admire in your dad?
  • Which sport you like the best and why?
  • List your favorite extracurricular activities. What have you learned from them?
  • Track the weather for five days? Which was the most comfortable day?
  • How students can reduce their screen time?
  • Is reading a more satisfying activity than watching television?
  • What are the negative effects of social media?

Narrative writing prompts for 6 th Grade

  • Do you think you can go three months without the internet?
  • Write a letter to your emotional self?
  • Is it important for kids to have responsibilities and chores at home?
  • What advice would you give to someone who is being bullied at the school?
  • Which animal in your opinion represents your personality the most and why?
  • Do you like making new friends? Why or why not?
  • If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be?
  • Write a poem or essay about your parents?
  • Describe your favorite family vacation?
  • Think about the best day in your life so far. What made the day so memorable?
  • Think about the worst day in your life so far. What made the day so miserable?
  • Which is your favorite book? How has it impacted you?
  • Which your favorite movie? Why do you like it so much?
  • Think about your future self. Write about a day in your life, five years from today.
  • Tell a family story from the perspective of your mom.
  • Who is the fittest person you know? Would you like to become as fit as this person? Why or why not?
  • Write about how it feels to spend a night at home alone?
  • What are three great things about your school?
  • Describe your life if you lived during the Middle Ages?
  • What is the biggest problem the world is facing today? How would you solve it?
  • How did computers affect our lives?
  • Imagine you were asked to pick a new holiday. Describe what you’ll be celebrating and how.
  • Could you live without a cell phone for a year? How would you communicate with your friends?
  • How hearing and listening are two different things?
  • If you could go back in time, which year would you choose?
  • You meet a wise man who knows answers to all questions, but you can ask him only one question. What would you ask?
  • Who is the oldest person you know?
  • Think about a time you were not able to keep a New Year’s resolution? What had happened? Why did you fail?

fun writing activities 6th grade

Expository prompts for 6 th grade

  • Describe your favorite short story in your own words.
  • Find an interesting story in the newspaper or a local magazine and write it in your own words.
  • Write an essay explaining the similarities and differences between you and your sibling or your best friend.
  • In what ways Barrack Obama and Abraham Lincoln are similar? In what ways they are different?
  • Is life as a sixth grader today different than it was when your parents were studying in the sixth grade? If yes, how it is different.
  • Compare and contrast your two close friends.
  • How has been your school year so far? What are the main highlights? 
  • What was the cause of the recent argument you had with your mom or dad? How did it go?
  • Compare and contrast two of your most favorite books?
  • How is empathy different from sympathy? Explain the concept of empathy?
  • How important is to have a hobby? Explain the benefits of having a hobby.
  • Explain a problem in your school? How would you solve it?
  • How has cell phone changed our lives?
  • Is there really something as cell phone addiction? If yes, what it is?
  • Gaming addiction is on the rise among kids? How do you think we can tackle this problem effectively?

Procedural writing prompts for 6 th Grade

  • Your friend wants to learn how to play your favorite board game. Explain the steps to him or her.
  • Explain a grandparent how to use Facebook.
  • Explain a reader how to play your favorite computer game.
  • Write step-by-step instructions to tie shoelaces.
  • Explain a reader how to play your favorite card game.
  • Write step-by-step instructions to create a post on Instagram.
  • Explain how to complete all the levels of a video game.
  • Describe how you get home from school.

Creative writing prompts for 6 th Grade

  • If you could spend a week in any holiday destination in the world, where would you go?
  • If you had the power to communicate with pets, what conversations would you have?
  • Write a poem that describes your family.
  • If you could meet one media personality, who would you choose and why?
  • If you could change one thing about your country, what would you choose and why?
  • You wake up one morning to find that you can fly. What adventures will you have?
  •  You wake up one morning to find that you have grown taller and your clothes and shoes don’t fit you anymore. What would you do?

We hope these writing prompts will help get your pen or pencil moving. Some of these writing prompts need research, some are intellectually challenging, and some others are fun and creative. If you would like more writing prompts, have a look at this post , which offers tons of additional writing prompts you can use to unleash your writing talent. Good luck!

  • Get other writing prompts for kids here :
  • 3rd-grade writing prompts
  • 4th-grade writing prompts
  • 5th-grade writing prompts
  • Middle School Writing Prompts

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8 activities for making writing fun in the upper elementary classroom

8 Ideas and Activities for Making Writing Fun in Upper Elementary

8 activities / ideas for making writing fun in upper elementary (3rd, 4th, 5th grade)

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.

Monitoring Comprehension Practice for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade

This is one of my favorite ways to practice comprehension! Students read passages with intentional mistakes that do not make sense based on the context of the passage. Students must read carefully to find the mistakes.

It's fun, engaging, and best of all - no prep! Check out this Monitoring Comprehension Resource here. 

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.   

Or, check out these other ways to help students enjoy writing poetry. 

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!

Or, have students write a short haiku!  This no prep resource gives students a chance to read and write haiku, as well as answer comprehension questions!

You might also like some of these other outdoor lesson ideas.

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.  You can use these example discussion questions as writing prompts if you need help coming up with options!   

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.

Or, inspire even more creativity by having students create their own silly drawings to write about using these Squiggle Drawing Story Starters! 

No Prep Black History Month Biographies Activities for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade

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.

9.  BONUS - Secret Descriptive Writing Activity

Make writing a descriptive paper fun!  Have your students secretly draw a picture and use describe with vivid descriptive language.  Then, students read their descriptions aloud while their classmates try and figure out which drawing is theirs!

This works best if students are all drawing something similar.  This is an easy activity to create on your own, but you could also try out one of these secret descriptive writing activities for a no prep way to walk your students through the entire writing process:

  • Alien Descriptive Writing Activity
  • Snowman Descriptive Writing Activity
  • Monster Descriptive Writing Activity

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.   

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Home » Blog Posts » Literacy Centers » 6th Grade Literacy Centers Ideas

6th Grade Literacy Centers Ideas

Unfortunately many people assume that literacy centers are only for elementary students. However, middle schoolers benefit greatly from independent, small group instruction. Especially for reading and writing. So this post takes a deep dive into effective 6th grade literacy centers ideas. These stations will help your students grow stronger with their ELA skills in no time!

Plus, you can grab some free reading and writing activities to use in your classroom.

6th-grade-literacy-centers-ideas-and-reading-centers

This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which do not cost any extra for you. Please see the  full disclosure here .

What is Literacy in 6th Grade?

According to a study on struggling readers conducted by Renaissance , 82% of sixth graders who fail ELA do not graduate high school.

Reading and writing increase in complexity once kids hit middle school.

And the stakes are high for these students.

Literacy in 6th grade includes inferencing of much longer texts and writing longer passages with more details.

In addition to this, Grade 6 students must also master:

  • identifying Greek and Latin roots
  • citing text evidence
  • analyzing more complex plots, settings, characters, etc.
  • grammar skills that include reflexive and intensive pronouns with their antecedents

So, making sure every student gets targeted practice on what they need becomes critical for middle school ELA teachers.

Which is why I highly recommend literacy centers in 6th grade!

Breaking students into small groups allows them to have hands-on practice with various reading concepts.

Let’s take a closer look at some centers ideas for sixth graders.

fun writing activities 6th grade

But Wait…Aren’t They Called “Literacy Stations?”

For anyone who is hesitant to try literacy centers in 6th grade, some of that relates to the word “centers.”

Since most early elementary teachers use centers, the assumption is that older students are too big for that.

As an upper elementary teacher, I still call them literacy centers.

However, if that seems too babyish for your big kids, feel free to call them literacy stations.

That doesn’t change how you will set them up or organize them in your classroom.

The Plot Flip Book–6th Grade Reading Centers

Since literacy in 6th grade includes a lot of analyzing, this activity will build up that skill.

The Plot Flip Book can be used with any book and it requires students to identify plot summary and supporting details.

6th-grade-reading-centers

6th Graders need to fill out sections in their flip book with the following:

  • a brief summary
  • supporting details for setting
  • OR supporting details for characters

They also must write a few sentences telling how the settings or characters impact the plot of the story.

This reading comprehension skill shows up in my state academic standards, including Common Core.

The fact that you can use these plot flip books with any story makes them great 6th grade reading centers.

You don’t have to switch it out for a different activity every time you have a new story to read!

Greek and Latin Land Maze Game–Word Work for Big Kids

Socializing is a big deal for middle schoolers!

So, when you gameify your 6th grade literacy centers, students will stay engaged longer.

That’s what Greek and Latin Land offers: a fun, small group game where sixth graders get to practice their root words.

6th grade literacy centers ideas

Here’s how the game works:

  • Players spin (using a spinner that you provide) on a game card that has Latin or Greek prefixes and suffixes.
  • Then they move their “game piece” on the board with Latin or Greek root words.
  • Students must combine the affixes with the root word to form a new word, then use it in a sentence.

The student who forms the most words using affixes and roots wins.

An interactive game like this provides word work practice for big kids that they enjoy. Which is a win-win for you and your students!

Sentence Flippers–A Writing Center for Middle Schoolers

Since a lot of 6th grade writing involves longer paragraphs and essays, it’s helpful to work on building good sentences.

Not only that, but students need to know the difference between simple, compound, and complex sentences for grammar standards.

That’s where Sentence Flippers comes to the rescue.

It’s another partner game, but can still be used for independent practice when needed.

literacy centers for 6th grade

6th graders have a piece of paper that’s the card deck holder. The three “card decks” are:

  • Conjunctions
  • Sentence Types

Students flip over one card each and must form a sentence based on what the cards show.

For example, let’s pretend the noun card says “dog,” the conjunction says “but,” and the sentence type says “compound.”

Then your students would need to write a compound using using the words “dog” and “but” in the sentence.

Students have a recording sheet where they write all their sentences, making it easier for you to take this center up as a grade.

You can even encourage students to make it competition with their partner by turning the cards over quickly, then “racing” to see who can write their sentence first.

It’s Time For an Argument–6th Grade Writing Activity

Several states have ELA standards for 6th graders to use persuasive skills in writing:

  • Common Core–Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
  • TEKS–Analyze characteristics and structures of arguments by identifying the claim.
  • VA Core–Present a convincing argument.

So this writing activity can be used with whole group lessons or with your other 6th grade literacy centers.

Students are given two topics. They must choose one and present the case for why one is better than the other.

middle school literacy centers

This writing assignment comes with graphic organizers that help 6th graders form their arguments.

Some of the topics included are:

  • Xbox vs. Nintendo Switch
  • Minecraft vs. Fortnite
  • Emojis vs. GIFS
  • Instagram vs. Snapchat
  • Floss Dance vs. Infinite
  • E-readers vs. Printed Books
  • Netflix vs. YouTube
  • iPhone vs. Android
  • School Uniforms vs Regular Clothes at School

There are also blank copies that let students come up with their own two topics to debate.

In addition to this, pages with sentence stems are also included for students who struggle with writing.

This allows them to still work independently while getting the extra support they need to be successful during center rotations.

How Long Should 6th Grade Literacy Centers Last?

Now that you have ideas for the types of literacy activities to do with 6th graders, let’s talk about planning your centers.

The frequency and amount of time for your centers will depend on several factors:

  • the total periods or classes you teach each day
  • how many students are in each class
  • what types of centers you’ll be using (some take longer to complete than others)

On top of this, you will also need to determine how many days of week you will have centers and whether you will do rotations or not.

If you want more nitty-gritty details and tips on how to set up your literacy block, I have this free guide.

It breaks down different time frames and what you could do during each block of time:

The best part about this guide is that I put the information on bookmarks that you can laminate to keep as a handy reference when planning your 6th grade centers.

Free 6th Grade ELA Activities

The ideas shared above are just some of the centers or stations you can try with your 6th graders.

If you want to test the waters with some free inferencing, writing centers, and reading activities, grab these free ones from my TpT store HERE .

Please be sure to let me know your thoughts on the freebie by leaving a rating on them.

Speaking of thoughts, comment below on the center idea above that you’re most interested in trying with your 6th graders? 🤔

Happy Teaching

The Butterfly Teacher

2 Responses

Thank you. I am a full time long term sub, I feel if students can’t read and comprehend in Middle School or when done, it’s gonna be a hard life. I try everyday to be present and pour my heart in their learning. Reading and writing are so important. Thank you.

This is awesome i will use it as a resource teacher to support the gen.ed classroom

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38 Fun 6th Grade Reading Comprehension Activities

June 13, 2022 //  by  Kellie Tanner

Comprehension is a crucial skill that is necessary for all students to be successful readers, writers, and communicators. 6th grade reading lessons should focus on teaching comprehension strategies that will assist your students as they learn to truly understand and comprehend their reading assignments.

Once they can truly comprehend what they are reading, they will be able to successfully navigate through the rest of their academic years. The following activities should aid you as you teach reading comprehension strategies to your 6th grade students.

1. Reading Cootie Catchers

This printable comprehension cootie catcher provides a great deal of fun for 6th grade students and can be used with any fictional book. This cute foldable is available in three different versions and can be used as a great review game with a partner. Find this entertaining cootie catcher foldable activity here.

Learn more: classroomgamenook.blogspot.com

2. Comprehension Worksheet

This printable 6th grade reading comprehension worksheet focuses on Rudyard Kipling's classic tale about the mongoose Rikki-tikki-tavi. 6th grade readers can practice many reading comprehension skills through the completion of this reading passage assignment. It includes interpretation of figurative language, identification of the sequence of events, and determination of contextual vocabulary.

Learn more: education.com

3. Making Meaningful Inferences

This free activity serves as an introduction to understanding inference which is a crucial reading skill. This 6th grade level activity will engage your students as they immediately understand how to infer while reading. Help your students become inference experts by using this inferential skill activity today!

Learn more: thinkgrowgiggle.com

4. Question Asking  

Asking questions is a crucial reading strategy. It is imperative that students learn to ask questions of various depths while reading. This activity teaches students how to ask questions for comprehension improvement. To learn more about how to incorporate this crucial skill into your 6th grade lessons, you can find these activities here .

Learn more: raisethebarreading.com

5. Context Clues

This engaging activity allows students to practice with context clues. The purpose of this comprehension game is to allow students the opportunity to examine reading strips and use context clues to determine the meanings of words they do not know. Students must also classify the types of context clues they used to determine the word meanings. Learn more about this activity here.

Learn more: upperelementarysnapshots.com

6. 15 Vocabulary Instructional Strategies

Check out these 15 instructional strategies to teach meaningful vocabulary skills to your 6th graders. With these strategies, you can empower your students as they learn and use challenging words. To improve academically, students must have increased vocabulary skills. Help your students improve their vocabulary skills by implementing these strategies into your lesson plans.

Learn more: teachingelawithjoy.com

7. Comprehension Questions: Break Them Down

One of the best comprehension strategies you can teach your students is how to break down comprehension questions. This strategy allows students to be able to more deeply analyze questions. Through this activity, you will teach your students how to successfully recognize key phrases or words that are linked to reading skills and strategies. Learn how to do this here.

Learn more: cieraharristeaching.com

8. Body Biography Chart

This graphic organizer is a terrific activity for teaching characterization. Your students learn to support the traits and descriptions of characters by providing textual evidence . These activities increase students' emotional connections to the text which increases comprehension skills. This activity focuses on the major character, Brian, from Gary Paulsen's Hatchet and can be located here.

Learn more: studyallknight.com

9. Online Games to Practice Reading Comprehension

Students' reading levels vary within the classroom; therefore, differentiating instruction is a critical element. Online games that allow the opportunity to practice reading comprehension skills assist with differentiating instruction. Try online games combined with reading comprehension passages to keep your students engaged. Find a list of popular online games and suggestions here.

Learn more: marcysmayhem.com

10. Infer Character Traits Through Dialogue

In this practice activity, students will learn the importance of character development. Language arts skills require students to be able to compare and contrast characters and use textual evidence. They must also be able to answer questions about characters. View this lesson here and also download the free graphic organizer.

Learn more: youngteacherlove.com

Concluding Thoughts

Reading comprehension is a crucial element needed to provide students with a strong foundation for educational success. Each of the reading comprehension activities provided in this informative article will assist you and provide you with additional opportunities and ideas as you strive to help your 6th grade students improve their reading comprehension skills and strategies.

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6 Fun Writing Activities for Your K-2 Writing Center

Writing may be difficult for some students, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Use exciting writing activities in your kindergarten, first grade, and second grade writing centers to show kids how fun writing truly is.

Writing Activities for Your Writing Centers

Create a Classroom Writing Center with Writing Activities Kids Love

As a kid, I dreaded writing. It required too much brain power, and it wasn’t until I was allowed to use my own creative devices that I started to enjoy it more. The kids in your classroom may operate the same way.

Provide students with exciting ways to express themselves through writing every day , and their love for writing will soar! Take a look at some unique writing activities kids will adore!

Writing may be difficult for some students, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Use exciting writing activities in your writing centers to show kids how fun writing truly is.

August-September-writing-activities-tear-off-strips

Why is a Writing Center Beneficial to Students?

Imagine giving students a sheet of paper and asking them to start writing. They have a lot to wrap their brain around, and they may sit there without picking up their pencils. To get kids to write fluidly, they need scaffolding . This is where writing centers come in.

Writing centers are a great way to introduce students to smaller writing tasks that can later apply to larger writing assignments. These small writing activities help build a love for writing because they are on topics that interest students.

Writing centers come in all shapes and sizes and are easy to customize to meet your needs. If you aren’t sure where to start, here are simple writing center activities to incorporate into your classroom throughout the year.

1. Writing Spinners

When using writing centers in kindergarten, first grade, or second grade, it’s essential to use topics that are relatable to students . Kids love when there’s a monthly or seasonal theme because they are familiar with the changes.

Writing Spinners allow students to choose their topic at random . It gives them an element of surprise and adds some fun to the writing process. Kids spin for a writing prompt or picture to write about.

Place these themed spinners in your writing centers to motivate kids to write about things going on in their current lives or related to a monthly theme. Hang with your writing center vocabulary posters or place them in a container for kids to grab with a paperclip.

Writing Activities for Your Writing Centers

2. Writing BINGO

Kids love options when it comes to writing. All of your students won’t have the same interests, so supply them with plenty of different ideas they can choose from.

Writing Bingo is a fantastic way to allow kids to write about multiple topics of their choice related to a theme. Perfect as a differentiated option for older students who enjoy writing more often.

Provide kids with their own Bingo board to color in , and they can choose various topics throughout the month. Remind them to get five in a row when they are choosing their topics!

Writing Activities for Your Writing Centers

3. Writing Prompt Cards

Do you have students who need encouragement to find something to write about? Writing prompts are a simple way to give kids ideas quickly .

Laminate Writing Prompt Cards and hang them on a ring or set them in a bin for students to look through. You could also select a few for the day to place in a pocket chart for kids to select from.

Writing prompt cards on various topics gives students ideas to write about throughout the year.

Writing Activities for Your Writing Centers

4. Write About It

If you want students to work on writing about a specific topic, provide them with a fun Write About It Prompt . These prompts make it easy for students to write a few sentences about the topic and color a picture to match their words.

This writing activity is excellent for writing journals or writing centers to complete throughout the month. Students start with a picture and use their creativity to write about it . They can add details to the image and make it their own!

Writing Activities for Your Writing Centers

5. Writing Tear Off Strips

Another fun way to get kids excited about writing is to post Story Ideas on the board within your writing center . Like an ad for a job, students tear off a strip if they like the idea and begin writing about it.

Story idea tear-off strip sheets include multiple topics to write about that will have kids asking for more. It’s a fun twist that will get kids engaged.

Writing Activities for Your Writing Centers

6. Writing Prompt Mats

Writing Mats include a word list and are an excellent resource for beginning writers. Beginning writers in K-2 feel supported when they have a list of words to choose from and a conventions checklist to refer to when writing.

Writing Mats make a great writing center activity. These print-and-go activities require no prep and can be placed in your classroom writing center at any time of year.

Try a sample of Writing Mats in your classroom’s writing center with this FREE resource!

Click the image below to grab a copy.

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Use these fun writing activities to engage and motivate students to write all year long . They will be eager to participate in the writing center you set up, and you will love how simple it is to teach and immerse students in writing.

Writing Centers for the Year

Try the Writing Center Bundle by Proud to be Primary. It includes all of the writing activities mentioned above plus a ton more (templates, posters, vocabulary) to get you through the entire school year. Everything you need for themed writing centers in the K-2 classroom.

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    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.

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    identifying Greek and Latin roots citing text evidence analyzing more complex plots, settings, characters, etc. grammar skills that include reflexive and intensive pronouns with their antecedents AND MORE! So, making sure every student gets targeted practice on what they need becomes critical for middle school ELA teachers.

  16. Free 6th grade creative writing projects

    This writing project introduces students to understanding and creating a PSA.Product Includes:6 Steps for Writing a Persuasive PSAPSA Critique ChecklistPSA Planner (a graphic organizer for p. Subjects: Creative Writing, Writing. Grades: 2 nd - 6 th.

  17. Writing Worksheets for Creative Kids

    Print FREE writing worksheets for kindergarten through 6th-grade students. Simple, fun, and no-prep effective writing worksheets to use in your classroom.

  18. Free 6th grade writing-expository printables

    #1 Science Curriculum Bundle | Physical, Earth, Space & Biology Life Science The Teacher Time Saver $149.99 $399.99 FREE PARAGRAPH WRITING GRAPHIC ORGANIZER HAMBURGER METHOD Created by Presto Plans

  19. Sixth Grade Writing Worksheets

    Sixth Grade Writing Worksheets for teaching and learning in the classroom or at home. Download all our Sixth Grade Writing Worksheets for teachers, parents, and kids.

  20. 38 Fun 6th Grade Reading Comprehension Activities

    1. Reading Cootie Catchers This printable comprehension cootie catcher provides a great deal of fun for 6th grade students and can be used with any fictional book. This cute foldable is available in three different versions and can be used as a great review game with a partner. Find this entertaining cootie catcher foldable activity here.

  21. 6 Fun Writing Activities for Your K-2 Writing Center

    1. Writing Spinners. When using writing centers in kindergarten, first grade, or second grade, it's essential to use topics that are relatable to students. Kids love when there's a monthly or seasonal theme because they are familiar with the changes. Writing Spinners allow students to choose their topic at random.

  22. fun writing topics for 6th grade

    In this product you will find two writing prompts fans. The original writing prompt fan has a large variety of prompts while the common core fan was designed with the three main t