SBBC Instructional Technology

Integrating Technology into Learning

Language Arts Journal Writing Prompts

Journal writing in Language Arts classes could focus on a recent literature selection or other activity, or could be an exercise in writing by using one of the below prompts. These suggested prompts are divided into the following categories and came from Can Teach. Be sure to check out the Math Journal Writing Prompts for additional ideas.

What is..	What if...	What do you think...	What...	How...	I wish...
Describe...	When...	Once….	Which...	Who...	Why...

What is...
	What is something you dislike about yourself? What is something you do well? What is your favorite room in your home and why? What is a good neighbor? What is the worst thing parents can do to their children? What is your favorite time of day? What is your idea of a dull evening? What is the best way to treat meddlesome people? What is something you are optimistic about? What is something you are pessimistic about?
What if...					(top)
	What would happen if you could fly whenever you wanted? When would you use this ability? What would happen if there were no television? Why would this be good? bad? What would happen if everyone lived in space? What type of houses would they live in? What type of clothing would they wear? What type of food would they eat? How would they travel? What if cows gave root beer instead of milk? What if all the streets were rivers? What would be different? What would happen if people never co-operated? Why do you think it is important to co-operate? What would happen if it really did rain cats and dogs? What would happen if animals could talk? What are some of the questions you would like to ask animals? What would happen if you could become invisible whenever you wanted to? What are some of the things you could do that you cannot do now? What would happen if everyone wore the same clothes?
What do you think...					(top)
	What do you think someone your age can do to help reduce the amount of pollution in our environment? What do you think the world needs now? What do you think your friends say to each other when you're not around? What do you think about the amount of violence on T.V.? What do you think about people polluting the environment? What do you think about having set rules for people to follow? What do you think about people who are inconsiderate of others? What do you think should be done to keep people who are under the influence of alcohol off the road? What do you think the world will be like when you are a grown up?
What...(misc.)					(top)
	What do you like most about yourself? What do you like to do in your free time? What kind of animal would you like to be and why? What kind of trophy would you like to win? What TV or movie star would you like to invite to your birthday party? What does "Clothes make the person" mean to you? What does "Have your cake and eat it too" mean to you? What does "The early bird gets the worm" mean to you? What do we mean when we say, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"? What does "You can't take it with you" mean? What do we mean when we say, "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"? What do we mean when we say, "Hitch your wagon to a star"? What does "still waters run deep" mean to you? What does "There are two sides to every coin" mean to you? What are you afraid of? Why? What are junk foods?? What quality do you like about yourself--creativity, personality, appearance--why? What eccentric behaviour in a friend disturbs you the most? What parts of nature do you like best? What do you do for exercise?
How...					(top)
	How do you feel when it's your birthday? Why? How do you feel on the first day of winter? Why? How would you feel if you were going to be on a show? Why? How do you feel when you do something wrong? How do you feel when you do something that is very good? How do you feel when you play a trick on someone? How would you feel if a new child moved into your neighbourhood? How do you think the new child would feel? How do you feel when you have had a fight with your best friend? How do you think your friend felt? How do you feel when you are in bed with the lights out? How do you feel when you want something very badly and you cannot have it? Why is this so important to have? How do you feel on a warm sunny day? How do you feel when you stay with a babysitter?
I wish...					(top)
	I wish I had a million... Then I would... I wish I had one... because I wish I could be like.... This person is special because.... I wish to be a ________ when I grow up. Then I will.... I wish there were a law that said..... This would be a good law because.... I wish I could forget the time I ..... because.... I wish trees could..... because.... I wish I could see...... because..... I wish I could learn..... because..... I wish I didn't have to eat...... I don't like this food because..... I wish everyone would learn to ..... Then everyone would..... I wish I never...... I wish I had one more chance to..... Then I would..... I wish there really was..... If there really was, then..... I wish I could hear...... I wish I could give...... If all my wishes came true, I would......
Describe...					(top)
	Describe a time when you felt vengeful. Describe your favourite toy. Why do you like it best? Describe the most ludicrous outfit you can think of. Describe the best teacher you ever had.
When...					(top)
	When you are angry, how do you look? When are you happiest? When have you felt lonely? When do you feel proud? When was the last time you cried and why?
Once….					(top)
	Once, when you were very frightened, what happened? Once, when you were embarrassed, what happened? Once, when your feelings were hurt, what happened?
Which...					(top)
	Which quality best describes your life--exciting, organised, dull--and why? Which quality do you dislike most about yourself--laziness, selfishness, childishness--and why? Which place would you most like to visit--Africa, China, Alaska--why? Which holiday has the most meaning for you-Canada Day, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day--and why? Which is least important to you--money, power, fame--and why? Which is most important to you--being popular, accomplishing things, being organised--and why?
Who...					(top)
	Who do you talk to when you have a problem? Who is your favourite Star Wars character (or other movie/book/t.v. show, etc.)? Who or what has had a strong influence in your life?
Why...					(top)
	Why is it important to be honest? Why is important to have good manners? Why do you think adults smoke/drink? Why is exercise important to someone your age? Why do you think some people encourage others to smoke/drink? Why do you think the rules you must follow are good or bad? Why would it be good to be honest? Why have men and women usually only done certain types of work? Why should or shouldn't a man stay home to care for the house and children while his wife goes to work? Why do you think some people take advantage of others? Why do you think prejudice exists in the world? Why would we say that someone is "passing the buck"? Why do you think tact is an important quality? Why is it not wise to squander your money? Explain why we say, "dead as a door nail".

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