Writing prompts are an ideal go-to activity when you have extra time to fill in the classroom. Since they require very little preparation or materials, we recommend keeping a handful of versatile prompts in your teaching toolkit.
Choose engaging topics and pose some thought-provoking questions to get students’ creative juices flowing!
Here’s the perfect pre-holiday example!
TOPIC:
Use your imagination to create a brand-new holiday!
GUIDED QUESTIONS:
These can be adjusted based on the age of your group.
- What is your holiday called?
- When and how often does it take place?
- What is the reason behind your holiday?
- Who celebrates your holiday; is it local, national, or worldwide?
- How is it celebrated; what are some traditions?
- How do people decorate?
- What special foods are served?
FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES (Optional):
- Illustrate your holiday.
- Present your holiday to a partner, small group, or to the entire class.
This is a resourceful way to focus students’ energy and holiday excitement into something productive. It promotes creativity while prompting students’ critical thinking about culture, holiday structure, and traditions. Plus, it’s a versatile topic that can be adapted for use across many grade levels.
It’s sure to be a hit in your classroom!