Daily Journal Prompts

Transcription

1 Daily Journal Prompts August 28 What s the story behind your name? Your sign name? August 29 What is the meaning of your name? Are there other ways to spell your name? Research and share. August 30 What is your personal credo? August 29 What motivates you? What are you good at? What annoys you? August 31 What challenges have you overcome? September Narrative/ Personal Writing 1. Do you like school? What are you looking forward to this school year? Do you have any concerns? 4 5 Write a story about a field trip. In your story, you can have your class go anywhere you wish. 6 Write about a time you felt angry. 7 What is the favorite place in your house? 8 What would happen if you were invisible? What things would you do? 11 If you could choose any animal for a class pet, what would you choose and why? 12 Today (Sept. 13) is Positive Thinking Day. Create a Top 10 list of ways that students can stay positive when things get tough. 13 Write about the last time you were sick. 14 Write a narrative story to go with this picture. 15 What is the best place to go for vacation? Why? 18 Write a narrative story to go with this picture. 19 Think about a time when you felt you were treated unfairly. Write about it. 20 Think about something that happened at school that you will remember for a long time. Write what happened. 21 What do you do when you get bored? 22 Is there a special object or family tradition that is important to everyone in your family? 25 What is one thing you learned last week in your other classes? 26 Which teacher do you like best this year. Why? Explain. 27 Today is "Native American Day." Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about a Native American tribe. Summarize your 28 Today is Good Neighbor Day. Make a list of everything you can do to be a good neighbor for those who live around you. 29 Write a narrative story to go with this picture.

2 information in your own words. October Descriptive Writing 2 Explain why it is important to learn to read well What are some cool things to share about your hometown? 10 Write about your family. 4 Which season is your favorite? What does your hometown look like during this time of the year? 11 Write a poem about the color orange. 5 Describe your bedroom the way you want it to be. 12 What is your favorite type of pizza? 6 Use your five senses to write about autumn. ( I see, I smell, I feel, I hear, I taste... ) 13 Write a spooky Halloween poem. 16 Who is your favorite character from the movies? Describe the character from head to toe. Show the reader not only what the character looks like but also how the character acts. 23 Write a poem using all of the following words: smooth, soothe, work, dark. 17 Thirty years ago we didn t have cell phones or the Internet. Now we have cell phones that can access the Internet. Think of a device or gadget that we ll have thirty years from now and describe it. 24 Write a poem about yourself in which nothing is true. 18 Write a one-page description of you. 25 Look at the picture and describe what is happening. Explain to someone how to would your favorite pizza. 19 Look at the picture and describe what is happening. 26 Write a poem about the color red. 20 Look at the picture and describe what is happening. 27 Look at the picture and describe what is happening. 30 What would you put in a witch s cauldron to make spooky soup? Be creative! 31 Look at the picture and describe what is happening.

3 November Expository Writing 6 Rules are important. What are the most important rules at your school and why are they important? Give reasons for your answer. Be as specific as possible. 13 Think about your favorite after school activity. Write about it and explain why you love it so much. Give reasons for your answer. Be as specific as possible Friends are important, but everyone has a different opinion of what makes a good friend. Explain what, in your opinion makes a good friend. Give reasons for your answer. Be as specific as possible. 14 You have a choice between these three hobbies: falconry, knapping or hooping. Research these three hobbies and choose one. Write notes about it If you could change any one thing in the world, what would it be and why? Give reasons for your answer. Be as specific as possible. 8 Write a short biography of your favorite celebrity. 15 Continue with yesterday s prompt. Why did you choose this hobby? What is it? 22 2 Write a paper describing a favorite day you spent with your family. Give at least three reasons why you enjoyed this day so much. Be as specific as possible. 9 Explain why students drop out of school. Give reasons for your answer. Be as specific as possible. 16 Studies show that very few people recycle. Why should we recycle and how would you convince your family to do it? 23 3 If you could live as any one person for a day, who would you choose and why? Give reasons for your answer. Be as specific as possible. 10 What are important ways to save the environment? Give reasons for your answer. Be as specific as possible. 17 Should Americans continue to celebrate Thanksgiving? Give reasons for your answer. Be as specific as possible Create a new holiday and write an essay explaining the new holiday and how it would be celebrated. 28 There are good and bad things about playing on a sports team. Explain what is good and bad about it. 29 Your class is creating a class cookbook. Write an essay about your favorite recipe and why it should be included in the cookbook. 30 If time travel was possible, which year would you go back in time to? Give reasons for your answer. Be as specific as possible.

4 December 2017 Creative Writing Create a comic strip that tells a special moment in your life No Class (Winter Celebration)

5 January Persuasive Writing 1 8 Many schools require students to do a certain number of volunteer hours each semester. Do you agree with this idea? Explain your reasons If someone created a way for us to be immortal, would that be a good thing or a bad thing? Use reasons and examples to support your answer. 2 9 Some states allow 16 year olds to drive. Other states the person must be 18. What do you think? Explain your reasons. 16 Convince a friend to not drink and drive. 23 Do you agree with the saying- ignorance is bliss? Explain your reasons for your answer. 3 Should we stop experimenting on animals for lab research? How do you feel about it? State your position and explain your reasons. 10 Do you think it is ok for the principal or teacher to search your backpack or locker at any time? Explain your reasons. 17 Some people like the quiet country and others like the bustle of a busy city. Which do you prefer? State your position and support it with examples. 24 Is it a waste of time to read fiction? Why or why not? Use reasons and examples to support your position. 4 Should children be given a weekly allowance? Use reasons and examples to support your response. 11 Convince someone to watch your most favorite movie. 18 Convince a friend to stop playing the PS4 for hours in a day and start physically exercising every day. 25 Does TSD address the issue of bullying appropriately? State your position and support it with examples. 5 Research shows the average American watches as much as six hours of TV a day. Write to convince readers to spend less time in front of the TV. 12 Is an eye for an eye a good basis for punishment? Use reasons and examples to explain your position. 19 Is it okay that top athletes earn tens of millions of dollars? Why or why not? Use reasons and examples to explain your position. 26 Should schools require students to wear uniforms? Use reasons and examples to support your answer. 29 Is it ever okay to lie? Explain your answer using specific reasons and examples. 30 Who makes a better leader someone who is loved or someone who is feared? State your position and explain your answer. 31 Does violence on TV have a negative effect on society? Use reasons and examples to support your response.

6 February 2018 Practical Writing 2 3 Write a persuasive letter to the principal about a topic you feel is 5 Write a thank you letter to an important person in your life. 6 Design a thank you card for someone who gave you a nice gift. Attach it to your journal page. 7 Write a message you would put in a bottle to be thrown in the ocean. 8 Write a long text message to a friend (text abbreviations allowed) about something exciting that happened to you this week. very important. 9 Write a complaint letter to a restaurant or business. The actual address must be included. 12 Create and write dinner menus you would like to have this week. Don t forget your vegetables. 13 Write a love letter to your future spouse. 14 Write a long Facebook status and a Twitter message about something cool that happened to you recently. 15 Write an introduction about yourself to a group students who have never met you. 16 Write a shopping list of things you will need for a kid s birthday party. 19 Pick three teachers and write them a thank you note for something they did for you this year. 20 Write a letter to the TSD superintendent. After you write the letter, state what type of letter it was, such as personal, business, or persuasive. 21 Write a note to your favorite author. 22 Pretend you are a tree. Write a letter to people you see everyday with a message you want them to know. 23 Write an encouraging note to the TSD Rangers basketball team. 26 Write a persuasive letter to a business to encourage them to give stuffed teddy bears to the Dell Children s Hospital. 27 Design a small dream or vision board with three goals. 28 Write an message to the school counselor about a problem you are having in school or at home.

7 March 2018 Responding to Text, Lyrics, and Quotes 1 Why do you think the author wrote this story? What is the author s message? 2 How do you feel about this story? Would you recommend your friends to read it? Explain. 5 Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland, wrote, "I can't go back to yesterday - because I was a different person then." When you think about who you were just three years ago, have you changed? 6 Anatole France wrote, "Nine-tenths of education is encouragement." Do you remember a time when a teacher encouraged you and you were able to do something you didn't think you could? 7 Heywood wrote, "Many hands make light work." Do you remember a time when someone helped you do something? When did this happen? How did the help make you feel? Why? Make sure to use the quote in your response. 8 Booker T. Washington wrote, "Success isn't measured by the position you reach in life. It's measured by the obstacles you overcome." Explain what this quote means to you. 9 William Thackeray wrote, "Never lose a chance to say a kind word." Has there ever been a time when someone was especially kind to you? Describe this experience. How did this experience make your life better? President Kennedy once said, "The best road to progress is freedom's road." Because of when Kennedy was President, this quote probably refers to the Civil Rights Movement. Explain how the Civil Rights Movement was a road to progress. Make sure to use the quote in your response. 20 Alex Haley, author of Roots, wrote "History is written by winners." Do you think he is correct? Why or why not? Make sure to use the quote in your response. 21 Richard Box said, " Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself." Everyone lies at one time or another, but sometimes people even lie to themselve s. Has there ever been a time when you convinced yourself of something that you knew was not true? Explain what happened and why you think you lied to yourself. 22 Read the lyrics and explain what you think it means: Rain, feel it on my finger tips Hear it on my window pane Your love's coming down like Rain, wash away my sorrow Take away my pain Your love's coming down like rain Song: Rain Music Artist: Madonna 23 Read the lyrics and explain what you think it means: Like twisted vines that grow That hide and swallow mansions whole And dim the light of an already Faded prima donna Song: The Memory Remains Band: Metallica 26 From what you've read so far, make predictions about what will happen next and explain what in 27 Who tells the story? Is this the best person to tell it? Why? 28 What ideas might you have for turning this work of nonfiction into a work of fiction? Give a brief summary 29 Why do you think the author wrote this story? What is the author s message? 30 How does the author provide information or details to make the story seem realistic?

8 the text makes you think it will happen. Who tells the story? Is this the best person to tell it? Why? of what your story might be like. April 2017 Informative Writing 2 Explain how Texas became a state. 3 Explain the history of the Texas flag. 4 Explain three interesting things about the state of Texas. 5 What are some of the natural resources found in Texas? 6 Name one famous person who is from Texas. Why is this person famous? Explain. 9 Write about how the light bulb was invented. 10 Write about the invention of blue jeans. 11 Write about the invention of Pokemon Go? 12 How was Facebook invented? 13 How was the first drone invented? What are drones used for? Explain. 16 Write your life story in emojis. 17 Compare and contrast reptiles and amphibians. 18 Why are some flamingos pink? 19 Why are dolphins consider as mammals not fish? Explain. 20 Compare and contrast the alligator and the crocodile. 23 Write about the importance of a full night s sleep. 24 Write about why it is important to eat balanced meals on a regular basis. 25 Write about why it s important to exercise. 26 Compare and contrast the Paleo diet and the vegan diet. 27 Write the steps on how to floss and brush your teeth.

9 May 2017 Confessions, Personal Growth, and Reflection 1 What was the most embarrassing moment you ever experienced? 2 What is one thing you really regret? 3 What is one of your pipe dreams? 4 What is one thing you wish you could change about yourself? 7 What is the one thing you never told your parents? 8 What is the one thing you wish you told someone but you lost the chance? 9 What magic powers you wish you have and how would you use them? 10 What is a secret you never told anyone? 11 What is the one thing you wish you could change in the past? 14 What are your goals for the summer? 15 What are your goals for next year? 16 What is the one thing you want to do to improve yourself? 17 What do you want to happen in the next 3 years? 18 Are there things on your dream (vision) board that you created at the beginning of the year that you feel differently about? What changes would you make to the board? 21 Think of a person you have offended or had a fight with. How would you make amends? 22 What is one thing you can do this week to help another person? 23 What is the difference between sympathy and apathy? Which trait do you possess? 24 Look at the journal entries you have created this year. Which ones are the ones that impacted you the most and why? 25 Tell your English teacher what you have learned this year in English. What story or activity impacted you the most? What was the most fun activity you did? What feedback do you have for your English teacher? Create a new journal book for summer writing. 30 Continue to work on your new journal book for summer writing. Have a great summer!

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