If there is one thing your students know about (and have strong opinions about) – it's education. These writing prompts on education, ranging from unconventional learning to explaining of how to do something, will get your kids writing about education.
Prompt 1: Explain why it is important to learn to read.
Prompt 2: We are learning all the time. Write about a new concept you have learned recently and how it has affected you.
Prompt 3: Think of some things you learned outside of school. For example, you learn from pet care, television, or grandparents. Explain what you learned.
Prompt 4: Your principal has decided that students in your school can have several new computers in your classroom. Write an essay for the school newspaper about how the new computers will be used to benefit your learning.
Prompt 5: The arts (music, art, drama, dance, etc.) and sports have important effects on people's lives. Think of one of the arts or a sport that isn't currently at your school and write a letter to your principal petitioning him to allow a program.
Prompt 6: Think of something that you just learned how to do. Explain how to do it.
Prompt 7: Next year you'll be in a different class with a new teacher. Write a letter to your next teacher, telling the most important things you learned this year.
Prompt 8: Imagine you've been asked to explain to a group of students from a foreign country how to prepare a hot dog for lunch. They have never eaten a hot dog before and do not know anything about them. Tell them each step you take in preparing one.
Prompt 9: Your school is having a health awareness day. For the occasion, write a short composition about a health problem you think is avoidable. Begin with a brief explanation of the problem – how it comes about, who is affected by it, and how. Then tell how you think people could prevent this problem. In conclusion, either urge your readers to follow your advice or warn them what may happen if they don't.
Prompt 10: You have just gotten into your dream school. The problem is that your family is pushing you to go to a different school. Which school do you choose and why?
Prompt 11: More and more students are planning on living off-campus their first year of college. Do you plan on living on or off campus for your freshman year of college? Why?
Prompt 12: Many other countries including England, Australia, and New Zealand, encourage students to take a year off to travel and explore the world before going to college. While not a mainstay in American culture, this "gap-year" movement is beginning to take hold. Do you feel that it is a good idea for students to take a year off between high school and college? Or should they go straight into college?
Prompt 13: Your guidance counselor is asking for you to defend your choice of major. Write a detailed argument outlining why you are choosing to pursue that particular major. If you are still undecided in what major you will be studying, write a detailed argument explaining why you haven't made that particular decision yet.
Prompt 14: A close friend of yours is interested in pursuing a career in a specific trade craft. Do you think he should go to a trade school that specializes in teaching that craft or should he go to a traditional college that offers that craft as a major? Write a letter to convince him of your choice.
Prompt 15: Homework is supposed to help students retain the information they were taught during classroom hours. Do you think homework is necessary? If not, why not, and what suggestions would you give to teachers to help you learn a concept without having to do homework?
Prompt 16: Some states are taking away recess in order to have more instruction time for their students. Do you agree or disagree with removing recess? Why do you feel that way? Write an essay explaining your point of view.
Prompt 17:With children being exposed to computers at a younger age each year, typing is becoming the norm, rather than writing. Is it important for children to still learn cursive writing? Why or why not?
Prompt 18: With calculators readily available (even on our cell phones) it has been argued that there is no need to learn multiplication tables, division, or even addition or subtraction anymore, since machines can do the equations faster and without error. Do you think students should still learn how to do math? Why or why not? Explain your reasons.
Prompt 19: There are some school districts around the country that go to school year round with a two to three week break every two months or so. Would that be better for learning than the traditional schedule of having several months off in the summer? Which do you think would be better for you personally?