writing assignments 3rd grade

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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50 Creative 3rd Grade Writing Prompts (Free Printable!)

Taking the leap from the primary level to the intermediate grades.

Third grade is a huge transitional year in elementary school. Third grade writers have learned foundational concepts and skills and have had time to practice. Now they are developing more complex skills as they dig deeper, learn to make connections, and analyze the topics they write about. Here are 50 third grade writing prompts to help your students master and refine their writing skills.

If you’d like even more upper elementary writing prompts, we publish new ones twice a week on our kid-friendly site: the Daily Classroom Hub . Make sure to bookmark the link!

(Want this entire set in one easy document? Get your free PowerPoint bundle by submitting your email here, so you’ll always have the prompts available!)

1. Tell about a special event in your life.

2. What are you best at?

3. What do you want to learn more about?

4. I could never live without______.

5. If you could go anyplace in the world, where would you go and why?

6. Interview one of your parents or grandparents and ask them to tell you a story from their childhood. Share their story here.

7. Describe one of your favorite book characters. Tell three things about their personality.

8. Do you think third graders should have to do chores at home? Why or why not?

9. What is something you would change about school if you could?

10. Tell about a time you helped somebody.

11. Tell about a time somebody helped you.

12. Tell about a memorable “first” in your life. For example, the first time you ate a particular kind of food, the first time you met your teacher, etc.

13. Describe step by step how to make a pizza.

14. What does it mean to be a hero?

15. I am afraid of _______ because_______.

16. What is the difference between being polite and rude? Give three examples.

17. What is the most important rule in the classroom?

18. What are the three most important qualities you look for in a friend?

19. Do you think kids should be assigned homework? Why or why not?

20. Nature gives us many beautiful things—plants, animals, water, weather, stars and planets, etc. What is one of your favorite things in nature and why?

21. If I were a spider, I’d _______.

22. Three things that make me happy are ______.

23. What is your favorite holiday and why?

24. Tell about one of your family’s unique traditions.

25. If you could have a pet, what would you choose? How would you take care of it?

26. Write about a dream you recently had.

27. Tell about a person that inspires you and why.

28. Name five things you are thankful for and why you are thankful for them.

29. What are ways you can be a good citizen?

30. When you and a friend disagree, how do you work it out?

31. What do you think the world will be like in one hundred years?

32. What is your favorite type of weather? Why?

33. What superpower do you wish you had? Why?

34. What famous person would you like to meet? Why?

35. In your opinion, which animal makes the best pet? Give three reasons for your answer.

36. If someone gave you $100, how would you spend it?

37. Should third graders have cell phones? Why or why not?

38. If you could be an Olympic athlete, what sport would you participate in?

39. Write about your “getting ready for school” routine.

40. Write about your “getting ready for bed” routine.

41. If you could travel through time like Jack and Annie in the Magic Tree House, where would you go?

42. In your opinion, what does a perfect weekend look like?

43. Write about the last time you felt really angry. What happened and how did it all work out?

44. Pretend there was a special zoo where animals could talk. Which animal would you talk to and what are three questions you would ask?

45. What is your favorite thing with wheels? Why?

46. Tell the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears from the point of view of Baby Bear.

47. What do you think would grow if you planted a magic bean?

48. Which would you rather be able to do—fly or read people’s minds? Why?

49. Tell about an adult in your life that you admire.

50. If you were traveling for a week and could only bring a backpack, what would you pack?

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3rd Grade Writing Worksheets

• Kindergarten
• All subjects

53 3rd Grade Writing Worksheets

Addressing letters

Do you know your address? Your school's address? In this language arts worksheet, your children will practice addressing two postcards and writing and drawing information about themselves.

Baby animals!

What's a baby cat called? In this language arts worksheet, your child does some basic research to find and write the names of baby animals, then uses a thesaurus to find adjectives that mean very small.

Big, bigger, biggest (3rd grade)

See how we can change the amount expressed by an adjective! In this language arts worksheet, your child gets practice writing adjectives, their comparative form, and their superlative form, such as big, bigger, and biggest.

Building words

In this language arts worksheet, your child gets practice creating and spelling words by adding -s, -ing, and -ful.

Clauses: parts of a sentence

Is that the main clause or a subordinate clause? In this language arts worksheet, your child learns about main and subordinate clauses as parts of a sentence.

Compound sentences

Simple sentences can become compound sentences by adding a clause. In this writing worksheet, your child gets practice building and understanding simple, compound, and complex sentences.

Compound words: all mixed up!

These compound words are mixed up — can you fix them? In this language arts worksheet, your child gets practice decoding erroneous compound words, correcting them, and writing accurate compound words.

Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words that join sentences. In this writing worksheet, your child gets practice combining two sentences into one using different conjunctions.

Connectives

Connectives are connecting words. In this language arts worksheet, your child gets practice combining two simple sentences into one compound sentence using joining words such as because and conjunctions such as and, but, so, and for.

Editing is an important step that follows writing. In this language arts worksheet, your child gets practice deleting extra or unneccessary words and then rewriting the new, shorter sentences.

• Kindergarden

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• Writing Activities

9 Fun 3rd Grade Writing Activities

Only 22% of students aged 8 to 11 years old write something daily outside of school (Source: Literacy Trust, 2018 ). To encourage more students to write for pleasure, we have created this list of 9 fun 3rd-grade writing activities for your students. 

In the third grade, students are just beginning to express themselves through writing. The typical third grader will know how to string a couple of sentences together and even write with some humour and style. But one common problem with students this age is that they get bored. And when they get bored, they start seeing writing as a chore or another piece of homework that needs to be done on time. 

As teachers, we should encourage our students to write for pleasure through a range of fun writing activities. This means writing because they love writing and not because your students are being told to write for a school project. We hope these creative writing activities for third students can help them see the importance and fun they can gain from writing. 

Creative Captions

Finish the story game, storyboarding, keeping an ideas journal, role-playing with paper puppets, creating your own monster, write some song lyrics, creating comic strips, how-to guides.

This is a really quick and simple writing activity to encourage your students to write daily . Simply ask them to collect some photos from magazines or the internet. Alternatively, you could provide your students with a set of random image prompts . And every day they can stick an image or two into their notebook with a short caption to describe the image. 

This introduces your students into daily writing without too much pressure on what to write and how to write it. They can write a 10 word caption or 100 words depending on their mood and available time. The key here is to give them the freedom to write anything they like about whatever that interests them. This way they can experience the relaxing and fun side of writing.

The finish the story game is a fun way to collaboratively write a story with your friends or classmates. The basic idea of this game is that one player starts the story off with a short sentence and then the other players continue the story using their own words. By the time you reach the end of the game, you should have a complete story from beginning to end written collaboratively between all the players involved. 

The story can be as weird and as wonderful as you like as the players are in charge. For more tips and ideas on how to play this game, read our post dedicated to the finish the story game . 

For most kids, especially visual learners drawing is much more fun compared to writing. To cater to the needs of these students, storyboarding is a brilliant activity. Storyboarding utilizes a range of skills, including creativity, organisational skills and writing. Not to mention it is a great way to plan your stories out, from beginning to end!

There are three ways you can use storyboarding to encourage students to write. The first way is that you provide a completed storyboard with all the images already drawn in. Here the student has to write their own description or caption to the image. This method is great for students who lack inspiration or just don’t like drawing.

The second method is dedicated to those students that just lack inspiration. Here you can give them a partially completed storyboard. Where the first one or two frames will be completed for them. Here the students’ job is to basically finish the storyboard off with their own drawings and words.

>And the final way involves using completely blank storyboard templates where the student can draw and write their own words entirely. This gives students the freedom to write about anything they like. This could be a story about a footballer or a storyboard for a video game idea. This final method is great if your students already have an idea in mind for a story!

Journaling has never meant to be perfect. Even as adults, we scribble quick thoughts into our journal without second-thinking our grammar or spelling. And for this reason, your students should also be encouraged to keep a journal at a young age. In particular, one type of journal which works best for third graders is an ideas journal . Here they can keep note of everything that inspires them daily. This could be a newspaper article, a certain photograph or even a quick doodle. 

Eventually, the ideas journal should become your student’s number one source of inspiration when it comes to writing stories. They should be able to look back and see their ideas from months ago and keep track of how they have developed over time. The freedom that journalling gives students will show them the fun and easy side of writing, which often gets missed in classrooms. 

When all else fails, encourage the love of writing through arts and crafts. Get your students to create their own paper finger puppets based on their favourite movie, TV show or even their imagination. Once the paper puppets are created you can hold your very own paper theatre shows in the classroom or at home! Students can write their own scripts and then using their puppets act out a scene. This is not only a fun arts and crafts activity, but it is also a fun way to encourage your kids to see the creative side of writing. 

You students could even create a whole set of paper puppets, with paper scenery and props – Which can all be kept safely in a shoebox. So whenever they are bored they can get their puppets out and hold their paper theatre shows monthly or weekly!

Forget about writing for a moment and just get your students to imagine something new. Ask them to draw a monster. Any monster they like and anything that comes to mind. Once finished drawing they can write a description to describe their monster. Here is where you can go into great detail. Ask your students to think about what the monster eats, what it dislikes, likes, it’s interests, where it’s from and so on. Once done, your students could have written over 100 words without even knowing it!

Another idea to make this writing activity collaborative is to ask your students to share their monsters with the person next to them. Then that person can write their own description of a monster drawn by someone else. This not only encourages teamwork but also improves the creative thinking skills of your students. 

We’re sure that every one of your students loves listening to music. And now it is their chance to write some funky lyrics of their own. Simply ask your students to think of their favourite singer or band. Then give them the task of writing their own song lyrics for those people. If your students are a fan of Ed Sheeran, then just imagine that Ed himself has asked the students to write him some new song lyrics for his next album. 

Writing song lyrics is a form of poetry . Whether it’s a rap or an emotional ballad, your students can learn so much from writing their own songs. And if your students are feeling brave enough, they even perform their song in front of the class!

Comics are the all-time favourite for creative students. And more importantly writing comics involves a good level of dialogue skills, as well as creativity and imagination. And with superheroes being a popular thing in today’s culture, creating comic strips should be a fun task for all of your students. Of course not all comic strips or books are about superheroes, but it is a good place to start. 

If you’re planning on adding comic strips to your lesson plans, you should take a look at our blog post on creating your comic strips and comic books . 

How-to guides do sound like a normal, typical writing activity in the classroom. But our way of writing how-to guides is much more fun for your students. Instead of assigning the topic of the guide, ask your students to come up with their own topic. Your students should think about all the things they are good at and decide on which one they should write a guide about. 

For example, if a student is really good at playing Minecraft, then they could write a guide on how to build a treehouse in Minecraft. Alternatively if one of your students owns a pet, they could write a guide on how they take care of that pet at home. The key here is to focus on the interests of your students and not to force your own topics onto them. This will help them see the real importance of writing in their daily lives and even encourage them to continue writing outside of school time. 

Want more fun writing ideas? Check out this post on over 100 creative writing exercises to inspire you!

Third grade is the perfect time to show your students the importance of writing in their daily lives. This means showing them the creative and fun side of writing, as well as the more formal, essay-style format of writing. A mix of fun with strict guidelines can reinforce the love of writing in kids and get them to see the true beauty that creative writing can offer.

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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Engaging Writing Prompts for 3rd Graders

Students in 3rd grade should be writing regularly in a variety of styles and for a variety of audiences. Useful writing projects for 3rd graders include  opinion , informative, and narrative essays, as well as short research projects.

For many students, the most difficult part of writing is facing the blank page. The following grade-level appropriate writing prompts provide plenty of inspiration to help your students get started on a number of different writing assignments.

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

Narrative essays tell a story based on real or imagined events. Students should use descriptive writing and dialogue to tell their tale.

• Scary Stuff. Think of something that scares you and explain what makes it so frightening.
• Grouchy Pants. Describe a day when you were grouchy. What made you so grumpy and how did you get in a better mood?
• School Rules. If you could make a new school rule, what would it be? How would your rule change an average day at school?
• Snappy Travel. Imagine you could snap your fingers and be anywhere else in the world. Write about where you’d go.
• Family Tales. What is the most interesting story that a family member has ever told you about their life?
• Food Forever. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
• Book Bound. If you could be the main character from your favorite book, who would you be? Write about an adventure you might have.
• Seeing Double. Imagine that you have an identical twin who is a different class than you. What pranks would you play on your teachers and classmates?
• Nessy's Life. Have you heard of the Loch Ness Monster ? Imagine you’re the monster. Describe your life under the sea.
• Lost. Have you ever been lost? Write about your experience.
• Perfect Party. Describe what the ultimate birthday party would look like if you could do anything you wanted.
• Kindness Counts. You’re given $100 to do random acts of kindness for others. What do you do?
• Memory Eraser . Describe something that happened to you that you wish you could forget. Explain why.

Opinion Essay Writing Prompts

When writing an opinion essay , students should clearly state their opinion, then back it up with sound reasons and facts. Opinion essays should close the essay with a concluding paragraph and a summary of the argument. 

• Be a Friend. What does it mean to be a good friend?
• Growing Up or Down. Would you rather be older than you are right now or younger? Why?
• Hello? Some kids in 3rd grade have cell phones. Do you? Do you think that’s good or bad?
• Best Pets. Which animal makes the best pet? Give at least three reasons for your opinion.
• Tattletale. If you saw one of your friends doing something that you knew was wrong, should you tell on them? Why or why not?
• School Favorites . What do you think is the best subject in school? What makes it the best?
• Off Limits . Is there a TV show that you’re not allowed to watch or a video game that you’re not allowed to play? Explain why your parents should allow it.
• Summer School. Should your school be in session year ‘round with more breaks throughout the year or continue to give students the summer off? Why?
• Junk Food Fans. Should candy and soda machines be available to students on school property? Why or why not?
• School Supplies. What is the most important tool in your classroom? What makes it so useful?
• School Pride . What is the best thing about being a student at your school?
• What’s in a Name? If you could change your name, what would you choose and why?

Informative Essay Writing Prompts

Informative essays introduce a topic, explain a process, or describe an idea, then provide facts, definitions, and details. Students should organize related information into paragraphs in order to write the most logical essay possible. Remember that they should also include introductory and concluding paragraphs.

• Real Superheroes. Superheroes in movies and comics can do some pretty amazing things, but think of someone you consider to be a real-life hero. What do (or did) they do that makes them a hero? 
• Liar, Liar. Someone told your best friend a lie about you and your friend believed them. Explain how you’d handle the situation.
• Student Teacher. Think of something that you found difficult to do at first (such as multiplication or tying your shoes), but that you now understand. Explain the process so that someone else could learn to do it.
• Holidays . What is your favorite holiday? Explain how you celebrate it.
• Pet Sitter. Your family is going on vacation and a pet-sitter is coming to care for your pets. Write a note explaining how to care for them.
• PB&J. Write out the step-by-step process for making the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
• Chores. What is a household chore for which you are responsible? Explain how to do it.
• Emergency Drills. Think of one emergency drill that your school practices. Write a paper describing exactly how to do it as if you were explaining it to a brand-new student.
• Allergies. Do you have a serious allergy to something like peanuts or milk? Write an essay explaining why it’s so important for you not to come into contact with the allergen.
• Color Wheel. What is your favorite color? Choose an animal or object that is that color and describe it.
• State Fun Facts . Describe some interesting facts about your state to someone who has never visited.
• Family Traditions. Describe a unique family tradition that your family has.
• Game On.  What's your favorite game? Explain the rules to someone who has never played it before.

Research Writing Prompts

Students in 3rd grade can conduct simple research projects that build on their knowledge about a topic. They should use digital and print media to explore the topic , take simple notes, and create a basic outline before beginning the writing process.

• State History. What is the history of your state? Research the history and write an essay about one key event in your state's past.
• Marsupials. Marsupials are animals who carry their babies in pouches. With the exception of the opossum, all marsupials live in Australia. Choose one of them to learn more about.
• Insects. They may be small, but insects play an important role in our environment. Choose an insect to research and write an essay about its characteristics.
• Jaws! Are Great White sharks really man-eaters? Research this question and write an essay about your answer. 
• Bat Signal. How do bats use echolocation?
• Explorers. Choose a famous (or not-so-famous) explorer to research.
• Comic Book Heroes. When was the first comic book published and what was it about?
• Extreme Weather. Choose an extreme weather event such as a tornado, hurricane, or tsunami, and explain its cause.
• International Space Station. Learn more about the International Space Station: how it's used, who visits it, and why it's important. Write an essay about your findings.
• Ben Franklin, Inventor . Many people know Benjamin Franklin as a Founding Father and statesman, but he was also an inventor. Learn about some of the things he invented.
• Legends.  Research a popular legend such as the Lost City of Atlantis, Big Foot, or Paul Bunyan . Write an essay describing the evidence for or against the legend.
• Presidential History. Research the childhood of one American president and write an essay about what you learn.
• Fun March Writing Prompts for Journaling
• 24 Journal Prompts for Creative Writing in the Elementary Classroom
• October Writing Prompts
• May Writing Prompts
• 4th Grade Writing Prompts
• November Writing and Journal Prompts
• January Writing Prompts
• February Writing Prompts
• September Writing Prompts
• Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Prompts
• Writing Prompts for Elementary School Students
• December Writing Prompts
• Second Grade Writing Prompts
• Writing Prompts for 5th Grade
• First Grade Writing Prompts
• Writing Prompts for 7th Grade

Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

3rd Grade CCSS: Writing

For third graders, this Common Core area helps students gain mastery of writing skills by working collaboratively and producing written texts, understanding syntax and vocabulary, and organizing their ideas. Among the complete standards for this grade, third graders will be asked to: write opinion pieces, explanatory texts, narratives, use linking words, be able to write conclusions, properly use illustrations to enhance a text, use dialogue, and descriptions of emotions and thoughts to develop understanding of characters, use appropriate technology to publish writing, understand writing for specific audiences, go through the process of writing, editing and revision for their written work.

Mother’s Day Acrostic Poem

A fun Mother’s Day acrostic poems for students!

Acrostic Poetry Worksheet Activity: Write It!

Here’s a great prompt for writing acrostic poetry.

Autumn: Five Senses and Adjectives

Practice describing Autumn with your five senses by using this fun classroom activity! Describe what you see, smell, hear, taste, and feel!

Christmas Acrostic Poem Activity

See what your students come up with when you hand out this worksheet and have them write an acrostic poem about Christmas.

Fourth of July Acrostic Poem

Bring some fun into the classroom with this Acrostic Poem activity for the Fourth of July!

Introducing a Topic: Giving Information

How do you name a pet or describe a good book at the library? In this activity, students introduce different topics based on prompts.

Introducing a Topic: Opinion Writing

Students, especially beginning writers, sometimes have trouble getting started. This activity helps them learn how to introduce topics.

Introducing a Topic: Telling a Story

This activity helps students learn how to clearly introduce a topic in a story they are telling. In this activity, students will write the setting of the story.

Spring Acrostic Poem

Students practice their creativity with this fun acrostic poem using the word “SPRING”.

Thanksgiving Acrostic Poem

T is for thankful. H is for helping. Print out this free worksheet for your students! Have them write their own acrostic poem using the word THANKS.

Write an Acrostic Poem

This acrostic poem worksheet will introduce your youngster to poetry!

Autumn Acrostic Poem

This fun activity helps your elementary school aged students practice their writing skills by creating an acrostic poem about Autumn!

Autumn: The Scarecrow’s Surprise Writing Prompt

Students will further develop their creative writing skills with this Autumn writing prompt activity. This is a great worksheet to keep your students’ creativity flowing!

Back to School Acrostic Poem

Welcome your students back to the classroom with a creative, educational acrostic poem activity.

Classroom Reporter: Interview with a Classmate

“Classroom Reporter: Interview with a Classmate” is the perfect way to introduce students to their classmates and learn more about one another.

Father’s Day Acrostic Poem

Use this Acrostic Poem worksheet to keep your students engaged and learning in the classroom for Father’s Day.

Father’s Day Writing Prompt: He’s the Best

Your students will have fun writing about their father in this “He’s the Best” writing activity.

Fourth of July Writing Prompt: What Freedom Means to Me

Teach your students about freedom in America with this fun Fourth of July Writing Prompt printable worksheet.

Haiku: Write Your Own!

This worksheet features the Japanese poetry style haiku.

Halloween Acrostic Poem Activity

Help your students develop their writing skills with our festive GHOST acrostic poem!

Elementary Assessments

101 Great Third Grade Writing Prompts

Here you will find a quality collection of third grade writing prompts that give students plenty of ideas to write about.

These writing prompts encourage critical thinking, develop writing skills, stretch the imagination, and motivate kids to express themselves.

Additionally, these writing prompts for third graders reduce writer’s block resulting in students producing content faster.

That’s why they make a great addition to your collection of writing activities.

So pencil into your lesson plans this week a few of these fun 3rd-grade writing prompts.

Third Grade Writing Prompts

1. Write about something that scares you.

2. What are the three best things about being in the third grade?

3. Write about a time when you felt grouchy.

4.  If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you pick and why?

5. If you had an identical twin, what kinds of pranks would you play on others?

6. Explain the differences plus similarities between chapter books and picture books.

7. Compare and contrast third grade to another grade.

8. Explain how you help out at home.

9. Write the characteristics of your dad or brother.

10. Create a new rule for your school. Explain what it would change.

11. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

12. If you could hang out with one of your favorite book characters, who would it be and why? What fun things would you do together?

13. Retell a story that a family member told you.

14. Should writing prompts be included on standardized tests? Why or why not?

15. If you could change one thing about your house, what would it be and why?

16. Write about the main character of your favorite book.

17. Imagine you are Bigfoot. Describe what your life would be like.

18. Write about a time you were lost.

19. Describe the perfect birthday party.

20. Draft a letter to your grown-up self.

Related: 3rd Grade Narrative Writing Prompts

21. If you could do anything to make someone’s day nicer, what would you do?

22. Write about a time when you wished things happened differently.

23. Define a good friend.

24. Would you rather be younger or older than you are now? Why?

25. Do you think those your age should have cell phones? Why or why not?

26. What kind of animal is the best pet? Why?

27. Use figurative language to describe someone you love.

28. What would you do if you saw one of your friends breaking a rule at school?

29. Write about your favorite subject in school.

30. Explain to your parents why they should let you watch a movie.

Related: 3rd Grade Opinion Writing Prompts

31. Which school supply do you believe is the most important and why?

32. Write the best thing about being a student at your school.

33. Would you change your name if you could? Why or why not?

34. Do you believe junk food should be available at school? Why or why not?

35. Write about a real-life superhero.

36. How would you respond if someone told a lie about you?

37. Explain how someone can care for a pet or house while away on vacation.

38. Share something that was once difficult for you but is easy now.

39. Tell about your favorite holiday.

40. Explain how to make the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

41. Should school happen year-round? Why or why not?

42. Explain to a new student how to do a fire drill practice.

43. Describe an object that is the same color as your favorite color.

44. Draft ten to fifteen interesting facts about your state.

45. Summarize a good read-aloud book you read or heard recently.

46. Explain a tradition your family does each year.

47. Write an instructional manual with the rules of your favorite game.

48. Compose a poem about a birthday celebration.

49. Write about an African animal.

50. Choose an insect to write about.

51. Write a speech asking classmates to be on the fundraising committee.

52. Draft a thank you letter to a custodian.

53. Explain why some animals migrate for winter.

54. Choose an explorer, and write about where they explored.

55. Write about an extreme weather condition.

56. Share a memory about feeling excited about an event.

57. Explain how to study for a spelling test.

58. Choose an invention, and tell how it has made life easier.

59. Share a time you felt nervous.

60. Write a timeline of your life.

61. Retell a special event you attended.

62. Write about a usual day from the perspective of an eraser.

63. If you could dress up as anything for Halloween, what would it be and why?

64. Write an article for the school newspaper highlighting the benefits of attending after-school tutoring.

65. Explain how to behave appropriately on the playground.

66. Create a story using these words: third grade, field trip, broke down, transportation

67. Explain how to care for a plant.

68. Write 10 words associated with a cafeteria. Now create a poem using these words.

69. Explain what you do after school.

70. Describe a cactus.

71. Explain the correlation between feet, inches, and yards.

72. Describe something you do well.

73. Write about something you could not live without and explain why.

74. Explain the personality of your favorite book character.

75. Write about a time you helped an adult learn something new.

76. Recall a time that someone helped you.

77. Write about a “first time” that you remember well like your first time eating your favorite food or your first time playing a sport.

78. Explain how you make a pizza.

79. Tell the difference between being polite and being rude. Give examples.

80. What is the most important rule at school? Why?

81. Explain the three qualities you think are most important in a friend.

82. Should schools require students to complete homework? Why or why not?

83. Tell what you think it’s like to live in a rainforest.

84. Write about what you would do if you were a teacher for a day.

85. If you could have any pet, what would it be? How would you take care of it?

86. Explain a dream you had recently.

87. What three things make you happiest?

88. Write about a person who inspires you, and explain how.

89. In your opinion, what’s the best way to deal with bullies?

90. Describe how you think the world will be 100 years from now.

91. Write about five things you are thankful for and explain why.

92. What is your favorite type of weather? Why?

93. How can you be a good citizen? Give at least three examples.

94. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?

95. What or who would you spend $100 on? Why do you choose these things or people?

96. If you could meet someone famous, who would it be and why?

97. Explain how you get ready for school.

98. If you could play one sport professionally, which would it be? Why?

99. Describe the perfect weekend.

100. What do you like best and least about responding to third grade writing prompts?

101. Explain your nighttime routine.

Final Thoughts: Writing Prompts for Third Grade

Now you have a treasure-trove of 3rd grade writing prompts to use during writer’s workshop or as writing activities.

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100 Fun Third-Grade Writing Prompts for Kids: Journal Prompts

• Journal Writing Prompts
• Funny Writing Prompts
• Narrative Essay Writing Prompts
• Fiction Writing Prompts
• Poetry Writing Prompts 
• Informative Essay Writing Prompts
• Opinion Writing Prompts
• Animal Writing Prompts
• Descriptive Writing Prompts
• Emotion Writing Prompts

The power of stories is immense. It not only unlocks the imagination but also improves creativity and vocabulary. For kids as young as third graders , writing prompts can be beneficial to kick-start their writing spree. It is a great way to build various genres of writing skills in kids- from narrative and informative to poetic and funny.

Stick to this blog to track down century options of 3rd grade writing prompts for kids .

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6 Reasons To Give Your 3rd Graders a Writing Prompt?

When it comes to keeping your students busy with something beneficial, writing prompts are a wonderful tool. Here are a few major ways in which 3rd grade journal prompts can help children.

• Allows children to think around creatively
• Enhances a sense of expression
• Eliminates the dread of writing
• Improves story-telling
• Boosts self-confidence in children
• Refines grammar, spelling, and handwriting with practice

While they get busy writing the best out of their imagination, you can enjoy a sip of hot coffee (a bonus, you know!).

100 Fun Third-Grade Writing Prompts for Kids

10 journal writing prompts.

The habit of journaling must be inculcated in kids from a young age. Wondering why? Well, it goes a long way in developing the ‘writer-like’ mindset in them. Moreover, journaling is known to be a stress reliever in teens and adults alike. Whether they make it a daily or alternate habit later, here are ten examples of 3rd grade journal topics that can be perfect for giving them a needed push.

1. What has been your favorite memory of 2nd grade ?

2. On a rainy day, would you rather be inside or outside? Why?

3. How did you meet your best friend?

4. What flavor of chips do you like the most and why?

5. Who is the favorite cousin in the family?

6. When was the last time you had your favorite dinner outside?

7. Do you have someone who makes you feel special? Who and How?

8. Which school period do you like the most and why?

9. What are you most thankful for in life and why?

10. What is your favorite cartoon character?

10 Funny Writing Prompts

This is every child’s favorite! Funny Writing prompts can help develop an expression of humor sense in young children. Moreover, it will allow the classroom to have a light moment together when each of them will read their chucklesome experiences aloud. We can already hear the giggles!

Check out these fun writing prompts for 3rd grade kids.

1. If your pencil boxes could talk to each other, what would they be?

2. What if you were an Easter egg?

3. Imagine if cows gave ‘Skittles’ instead of milk. What would the world be like?

4. What makes you laugh?

5. What was the best joke that your best friend cracked recently? How can you make it funnier?

6. What would happen if it did rain cats and dogs?

7. Imagine there’s a kangaroo in the classroom. How did it reach there, and what would the scenario be like?

8. Would you rather wear a swimming suit in a snowstorm or wear a snowsuit to the beach? Which kind of silly will you be and why?

9. Write a review of the animated movie for kids that you have seen recently.

10. Imagine you and your best friend switch families for a day. What would the day be like?

10 Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

Narrative essay prompts can sow seeds for a future author of an American best-seller. One of the most favored writing prompts by teachers, 3rd grade narrative writing prompts expect students to tell a story based on their imagination or actual incidents. They could either build their story on dialogues or use descriptive writing. Let’s head to the list.

1. If your shoe could speak, what story would it tell?

2. One fine morning, you woke up with wings. Narrate the day.

3. If you are allowed to make classroom rules , which new rule would you make and why?

4. Make a story about where thunder comes from.

5. Imagine a boy who only eats oranges to survive. Narrate the story of his life.

6. Describe your last vacation. Where did you go, and what did you do?

7. What is the most interesting story that your family member has told you about?

8. You are given $200 to spread kindness around your city. How will you spend it?

9. If you could fly wherever you would want to, what places would you go and why?

10. What is one thing you do very well? Describe it in detail.

10 Fiction Writing Prompts

Here’s another set of 3rd grade writing prompts that will make the creative juices flow in the students. Fiction writing prompts are a great stimulus for young minds to develop their characters, work on a plot line and narrate a story. 

They not only allow expand their imagination in children but gives them an opportunity to enjoy the writing process. Have a look at writing ideas for 3rd grade students:

1. What story does a camera want to tell the world?

2. A princess is trapped in a castle that is guarded by a beast. Instead of waiting for her prince charming to save her, she uses the resources and tools from inside the castle to build her escape plan. What all would she use and how? Write her escape story.

3. ‘There was a knock on the door. I opened it and saw a cat sitting there and,….’. Finish the story.

4. You had a chance to take over your father’s job for a day. Write a story narrating all your day’s events.

5. ‘On a vacation to paradise, something unexpected happens.’ Continue with the story.

6. There was a butterfly in Ohio who needed to earn the colors for herself. She could only earn five colors for herself. What would she do to earn colors, and how?

7. One day, you woke up and realize that you have a magic pen next to you. Narrate the events that followed it.

8. Imagine you get to choose how you would want to live your next 50 years. What would you choose? Who will be the people with you?

9. Your balloon just blew away! Write the story from the balloon’s perspective.

10. You ate a brownie, and now you are 20 feet tall. What do you do next?

10 Poetry Writing Prompts 

With Tik Toks and Reels throwing rubbish in the name of poems for kids , now is the time to introduce young minds to the real essence of poetry. They must be taught the power of syllables, rhymes, apostrophes, punctuation, and word choice to recognize the poetry. 

Poetry Writing Prompts can give good practice to 3rd graders to improve their phrasing ideas and, ultimately, the poetry sense! Whether it’s a limerick or haiku, here’s the suggestion list that you shouldn’t miss.

1. ‘Whenever I sing a silly song,

Whenever I daydream for too long..’ Continue the poem.

2. ‘Within the wrapping paper brown,

the smallest gift I’ve found. Write a poem to talk about the gift.

3. ‘Dear Friend,’. Write a short poem for your best friend.

4. Challenge yourself to write a poem that is no longer than 25 words.

5. Imagine you came from another planet, lost on Earth, and longing for home. Write short poetry to express yourself.

6. ‘Look at the stars and name them all….’ Continue an interesting poem.

7. ‘Through the trees, I go…’ Write a few lines of a Haiku poem.

8. Write a poem about your grandparents.

9. ‘It was quite a big day for me.’ Write a limerick using this line.

10. ‘I met a funny little woman,

As I walked along one day…’ Write a silly poem using this starter.

10 Informative Essay Writing Prompts

A highly beneficial writing exercise for all ages, informative writing prompts are about informing the reader without persuading or making an opinion to it. For 3rd graders, these essays could be a powerful tool to enable them to write from what they already know. It advances their memorization, learning, and reflective ability in them.

Check out the ideas that can be used as writing topics for 3rd graders.

1. Write a process to build a birdhouse in your backyard.

2. If you could meet any famous person in the world, who would it be and what conversion would you have with them?

3. Why is it important to preserve the environment around us? How can you help with it?

4. Do you have a pet? If yes, how do you take care of it?

5. Describe what all do you see on your way to school.

6. How do you prepare for a test? Share some tips with your friends.

7. Write the importance of a healthy diet in our lives. How can we make our diet healthier?

8. Describe life in the coldest cities of the world. Would you live in such places?

9. Doctors, Firefighters, Policemen, Delivery boys, etc., are all heroes. Write about their selfless contribution to our lives.

10. Why do leaves change color during autumn?

10 Opinion Writing Prompts

We all have opinions, and so do the little ones! Teaching young kids to form an opinion can be rewarding for their future goals and personality development. 

It is important to familiarize them with understanding their mind and heart and strike a balance between the two. Opinion writing prompts for 3rd graders can be instrumental in getting them moving in that direction.

To ease the writing process, you can teach the kids about the OREO framework.

O – Opinions

E – Examples

O – Opinion (restated in a concluding note)

Let’s dive into some interesting topics for 3rd grade writing prompts.

1. Do you think teachers should give homework to students?

2. What are some important rules that must be followed in life?

3. How to become a kind human being?

4. What do you do when you are angry? Write some ways to calm yourself down.

5. How to make yourself happy when you are sad? Write from your experience.

6. What is the best restaurant in your city, and why?

7. Should 10-year-olds have their mobile phone? Why or why not?

8. Why should children not eat chocolates very frequently? How should they practice control?

9. Should everyone wear school uniforms in school? Why or why not?

10. If there could only be one season throughout the year, which one would you choose and why?

10 Animal Writing Prompts

If animals bring so much joy to us just by existing, how joyful it’d be to write about them? There are so many reasons to ask children to write about animals. It can be a wonderful way to enhance their creativity, fascination, attention to detail, and of course, writing skills. 

Here’s a list of animal writing prompts for 3rd graders.

1. Which animal would you like to meet and why?

2. Would you rather have a rabbit or a penguin as a pet? Why?

3. If you had a chance to become one farm animal, which one would it be and why?

4. If I were a turtle, I would…

5. Imagine waking up in the morning and seeing your favorite animal getting ready for school. What would the scenario be like?

6. Write how the world would be if humans could talk to animals.

7. You can choose either an animal or a human as your best friend. Which one would you pick and why?

8. If you could choose a different name for ‘Cow,’ what would it be? Why?

9. What I know about chickens is that….

10. A fish took a solo trip to London. Narrate the story.

10 Descriptive Writing Prompts

What do you do when you want your students to go into the tiniest details while writing? Try Descriptive writing prompts for 3rd graders. Whether they write a story or a personal experience, ignite the spark of description with these writing prompts.

1. What is your favorite math game ? Why do you like it? Also, write the steps to play.

2. Imagine you are traveling on a ship in the ocean. What does your ship look like? And, why would you like the best about your ship? Describe your journey.

3. Describe your favorite activity in the mall.

4. Which is better, winter or summer? Support your take with reasons.

5. Share a memorable experience at the park. What made it so memorable? Would you like to relive it?

6. Describe a beautiful scene from nature.

7. Alice gets to visit Wonderland in the movie ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ Describe all that you can think about Wonderland- the location, the environment, the colors, the people, etc.

8. What is a perfect day for you? Include the weather, your clothes, your friends, what you eat, and your activities.

9. Write a description of a trip to the zoo.

10. Who is your favorite teacher, and why? Describe him/her.

10 Emotion Writing Prompts

School is not limited to books and assignments. It’s also about preparing students to reflect on their feelings and being able to jot them down. Guess what? Emotion prompts can be the right choice here as well! They inspire creativity in kids and aid them in connecting with their feelings and emotions. Few third-grade emotion prompts that you shouldn’t miss.

1. My biggest dream is…

2. My favorite thing about myself…

3. What do you do when you make a mistake? How do you feel?

4. When was the last time you helped someone? What was it about?

5. Write about the happiest day of your life.

6. If you could have any special talent, what would it be and why?

7. What five things do you love about your family?

8. I feel sad when…

9. Imagine your friend is feeling scared. What would you do to calm him/her down?

10. Write a list of 10 things you are grateful for.

Now that you know 100 writing prompts for 3rd grade, there’s nothing that can stop your students shape into brilliant writers. However, a little something that we would like you to know- make writing as much fun as possible for these young minds. Look at a few tips which will help you chart out easy ways to teach writing to 3rd graders.

5 Steps To Help 3rd Graders With Writing

Step 1: sentence-formation.

If students struggle with understanding and forming sentences, they must be taught sentences as a single complete thought. Reading sentences aloud with necessary pauses will bring more clarity to them about the nature of a sentence. Let the children practice in small groups to make the instructions more effective.

 Step 2: Paragraph Writing

The next step will be to familiarize the children with writing small paragraphs. Don’t go throwing the list of 3rd grade writing prompts in one go. Instead, focus on strengthening the core concepts of writing. Introduce children to the parts of a paragraph-head, body, and conclusion.

Step 3: The ‘Sandwich’ Rule

It is a great way to simplify the writing process for third-graders. Teach the children that writing a paragraph is similar to making a sandwich. 

It begins with a piece of bread, i.e., the topic sentence, followed by adding some ingredients in the middle, i.e., the transition sentences, and finally, fishing it with another piece of bread, i.e., the concluding sentences. 

The rule can also be practiced in small groups to enjoy the maximum benefits.

Step 4: Additional Cues

Besides creative writing prompts for 3rd graders, emphasis must be made on using words like ‘because,’ ‘since,’ ‘for example,’ ‘another,’ ‘also,’ etc., to make meaningful connections while writing. Set 30 minutes initially for most pieces. Once they have had enough practice, you can reduce the time accordingly.

Step 5: Technical Cues

In the age of digitization, you cannot fathom eliminating the aid of digital tools to help children write. Teachers must pick something fun and let the students research about them on the internet. Noting down the point will help them build a story or idea smoothly.

Get, Set, Writing!

Writing prompts are not the end but the beginning of a brilliant writing spree for your students. Nonetheless, encouragement and support from your side are imperative to build their confidence. We hope the class will enjoy these 3rd grade writing prompts as much as we enjoyed curating them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How should i motivate my child to write at home.

Before introducing them to prompts, the most important way you can help your child with writing is to give them a journal, a storybook, a pencil, and an eraser. Keep a separate basket for their stationary supplies so that they can instantly grab them whenever they are in the mood to write.

What can be the first set of prompts that I should begin with?

Children are most closely knit to their parents. Giving them writing prompts to recount a happy family vacation or their favorite family members can be an ideal beginning. Moreover, in the classroom, teachers can use prompts related to their best friend, learning environment, and favorite school activity.

How many writing prompts can I use in one go?

Depends on the length of the class period. However, it is recommended to use one prompt in each class to preserve the class’s interest. Otherwise, children often feel burnout and pressure from having too many topics to write on in a single class.

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60 Fun and Engaging 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on August 26, 2022

Categories Education , Creativity , Writing

As a teacher, it is important to keep your students engaged and interested in the material you are teaching. One way to do this is by using fun, and engaging writing prompts. This blog post will list 60 writing prompts perfect for 3rd grade students. These prompts will help your students practice their creative writing skills while having fun simultaneously!

60 3rd Grade Creative Writing Prompts

• Write a story about a time when you were very brave.
• Write a story about a time when you were very creative.
• Write a story about a time when you were very determined.
• Write a story about a time when you were very helpful.
• Write a story about a time when you were very honest.
• Write a story about a time when you were very funny.
• Write a story about a time when you were very successful.
• Write a story about a time when you were very kind to someone.
• Write a story about a time when you were very lucky.
• Write a story about a time when you were very proud of yourself.
• Write a story about a time when you were very grateful for something.
• Write a story about a time when you were very excited.
• Write about your favorite animal.
• Write about your favorite holiday and why it’s your favorite.
• Write about your favorite food and why you love it.
• Write a story about a time when you were really scared.
• Write about a time when you were really happy.
• Write about a time when you were really sad.
• Write about a time when you did something you weren’t supposed to do and got away with it.
• Write about a time when you didn’t get away with something you did wrong.
• Write about your favorite TV show.
• Write about your favorite movie.
• Write about your favorite book.
• Write about your favorite video game.
• Write about your best friend.
• Write a story about a time when you were very disappointed.
• Write a story in which you are the main character and in which something exciting happens to you.
• Write a letter to your best friend telling them everything you love about them.
• Write a letter to yourself from the future, telling yourself all the things you have accomplished since writing this letter
• Write instructions on how to make your favorite food.
• Write instructions on how to make your favorite toy
• Write a story about a time when you were extremely adventurous.
• Write a story about a time when you were extremely friendly.
• Write a story about a time when you were extremely generous.
• Write a story about what you did to celebrate your favorite holiday.
• Write about your favorite family tradition and what it means to you.
• What is your favorite thing to do on weekends?
• What is your favorite thing to do for fun?
• If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
• Why is that place special to you?
• What would you do if you had the opportunity to visit that place?
• What are some things that interest you?
• What are some things that scare you?
• Write about a time you were really happy.
• Write about a time you helped someone else.
• Write about your favorite place to go.
• Write about a time your family laughed together.
• Write about a time your family argued together.
• Write about the best day of your life.
• Write about the worst day of your life.
• Write a letter to Santa Claus.
• Draw a picture of your family and write a paragraph describing them.
• Write a poem about winter.
• Write a poem about summer.
• Write a story explaining why it is important to be kind to others.
• Write a story explaining why it is important to be truthful to others.
• Write a story explaining why it is important to be yourself.
• What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
• If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? Why?
• What do you think is the most important rule for being happy? Explain why.

Some Types of 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

• Journal prompts
• Opinion writing prompts
• Narrative writing prompts
• Informational writing
• Short story
• Personal Narrative
• Creative writing

Ask What Is Their Favorite Book Character and Why

A great way to stimulate third grade writing is to ask your students what their favorite book character is and why. This will encourage them to think critically about the characters in the books they are reading and articulate their thoughts in writing. Not only will this prompt help each student improve their writing skills and assist their reading comprehension, but it will also get them thinking deeply about the books they are reading.

How 3rd Grade Writing Prompts Fit Within Age Range Skills

By the time a child arrives in third grade, their vocabulary will have expanded through reading. They will be starting to assimilate various grammatical forms, such as pronouns and plurals, and will start to comprehend and consider the language they use. Alongside more complex word choices, 3rd grade children will understand jokes, riddles, metaphors, and puns more easily. A greater ability to master syllable stress patterns means that third graders can more easily differentiate slight variations in words. They also start to appreciate better how to communicate using various media and settings.

What is 3rd Grade?

Third grade (grade three) is a year in primary education in which most students are 8-9 years old.

What should a 3rd grader be able to write?

Third grade students should be able to write simple, clear sentences using proper grammar and spelling. They should also be able to write about personal experiences, describe objects or events, and tell stories.

What level should a 3rd grader be reading at?

A 3rd grader should be reading books that are at a level appropriate for their reading skills. This means that they should be reading interesting and engaging books while also providing them with practice in reading skills.

How do you teach a third grader to write a paragraph?

Teaching third graders how to write a paragraph can be difficult, as they are still learning the basics of writing. However, there are a few things you can do to help them get started.

• One way to help your students is to model how to write a paragraph. Show them how to break down a topic into several sentences and use proper grammar and spelling. You can also have them practice writing paragraphs independently, using a topic that interests them.
• Another way to help your students write paragraphs is by giving them specific instructions on what to include in their paragraphs. For example, you could ask them to write about their favorite animal or describe a recent trip. This will help them focus on the structure of a paragraph and ensure that they include all the necessary information.
• Finally, be sure to give your students feedback on their writing. Help them revise and edit their paragraphs so that they can improve their writing skills.

How can you make writing for 3rd graders fun?

One way to make writing for 3rd graders fun is using fun, and engaging writing prompts! Try to make each writing prompt as creative as possible. You can also give your students journal writing prompts to do in their own time.

How long should a 3rd grader read each day?

Most students should read for at least 30 minutes each day. This will help them practice their reading skills and improve their comprehension. Additionally, students need to read a variety of genres and texts so that they can expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

How many sentences are in a paragraph for 3rd grade?

A paragraph is typically made up of five to seven sentences. This number can vary depending on the assignment or the purpose of the paragraph. Generally, shorter paragraphs are used for shorter writing pieces, while longer paragraphs are common in longer assignments.

As a teacher, it is important to keep your students engaged and interested in the material you are teaching. One way to do this is by using fun, and engaging writing prompts. This blog post has provided you with a list of writing prompts that are perfect for 3rd grade students. These prompts will help your students practice their writing skills while having fun simultaneously!

55 Narrative Writing Prompts For 3rd Grade

As students improve their writing skills, it is important that they explore various types of writing—including narrative writing. Narrative writing is an important step not only in learning to write but also in learning to reflect and think deeper.

Whether students are journaling or making story charts and discussing their answers in class, the following writing prompts are a great place to start with your 3rd graders.

Using These Prompts

You can use these prompts as journaling prompts for your students during your writing practice, but they also make great discussion questions.

Students might feel awkward about expressing some of their emotions, and this is a great way to help them come out of their shell and realize that we’re all more alike than we realize.

Here are a few ways you can use this guide in your classroom:

• Assign one prompt per table group. Give students time to write down their thoughts, and then have them share with the rest of their table.
• Challenge your students to use prompts that they find uncomfortable, as those are often the most important ones for them to work on.
• Ask your students to write using one prompt each day for the entire school week.
• Don’t grade these assignments; the emotional reflection and self-realization are more important than the grade.

The Prompts

• Write about the strangest thing that has ever happened to you.
• What do you think a typical day would look like if you were seven feet tall?
• Write about a time when you felt very sad. How did you make yourself feel better?
• Have you ever lost an important game? Write about what happened and how you felt.
• When you play with friends, what do you like to play?
• Do you think it’s important for kids to play pretend?
• Write about your favorite holiday memory.
• Write about a time when you felt very scared.
• Have you ever witnessed someone being bullied? What did you do?
• Why is it important to stick up for yourself?
• What are some ways that you like to relax on the weekend?
• Do you speak another language? Do you think all students should learn a foreign language in school?
• Which Disney character do you relate to most? Why?
• Which Marvel character do you relate to most? Why?
• If you could be any color, which color would you be? Why?
• Describe your perfect family vacation.
• Why is it important to help those in need?
• Have you ever had stage fright? What happened?
• What is a fun fall activity that you like doing with your family?
• Which season is your favorite? Why?
• If you could instantly learn one skill, what would it be? Why?
• Do you prefer board games or card games? Why?
• What would you do if you woke up tomorrow and could speak to animals?
• Write about a time when someone close to you hurt your feelings.
• Write about a challenge you’ve faced. What did you do to overcome it?
• What do you do for fun when you don’t have screens or technology to entertain you?
• What is your favorite food? What makes it so special?
• What is your least favorite food? Why don’t you like it?
• What do you do when your feelings are hurt? Do you think this is a good way to handle your emotions?
• Have you ever received an award? What was it for? How did it make you feel?
• Write about your favorite book. What makes it so special?
• What is one thing you would change in your classroom?
• What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
• Write about something that seemed bad at first, but turned out to be good.
• Write five ways you can help someone in need.
• What are some important skills you need to master to move on to 4th grade?
• What is the most important thing you’ve learned this year?
• Would you rather it rain glitter or snow birdseed? Why?
• Write about the last vacation you took with your family.
• Do you have a blanket or stuffed animal that is special to you? Write about where it came from and why you love it.
• Do you prefer Star Wars or Harry Potter? Why?
• Write five things you can do to calm yourself down when you feel angry.
• Write about something that makes you laugh.
• Write about a conflict between you and your best friend. How did you resolve it?
• Who do you enjoy spending your time with? What makes your time so special?
• Write about a time when you tried something new. How did you feel?
• Do you play a sport? What do you enjoy about it?
• Write five things you can do to feel better when you are sad.
• Have you ever been in an argument where you knew you were right, but the other person wouldn’t agree? What happened?
• If you were the teacher for a day, what would you do?
• What is your favorite animal? What do you think this says about your personality?
• If you were responsible for cooking breakfast for your entire family, what would you cook? Why?
• Why is it so important for siblings to get along? Do you get along with your siblings?
• Write about the best gift you’ve ever received.
• What are five things you can do to feel better when you are scared?

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30 Fun And Creative Writing Prompts For 3rd Grade

Writing prompts can be incredibly beneficial for third-grade students as they not only stimulate their imaginations but also enhance their critical thinking and writing skills. By presenting them with different scenarios, characters, and situations, writing prompts encourage children to delve deep into their creativity and explore various narrative possibilities.

As a teacher, the key to activating third-grade students’ imaginations is to give them fun writing prompts to get them excited about writing. Below you’ll find 30 fun and creative writing prompts for 3rd-grade students that are guaranteed to spark your students’ imaginations and get their creative juices flowing.

Writing Prompts For Third Grade

• Imagine you wake up one morning to find out you’ve become a superhero. What are your powers and how would you use them?
• Write a story about a magical tree that grows in your backyard. What is special about it?
• What would you do if you could fly for a day? Describe your journey in detail.
• If animals could talk, what would your pet or a favorite animal say? Write a conversation you might have.
• Imagine that you have been given the task of redesigning your school. What changes would you make and why?
• Write a story about a character who lives in a world where colors have been lost. How do they restore colors back to their world?
• Write a letter to your future self. What advice would you give?
• Imagine that you found a door in your house that you’ve never seen before. Where does it lead to?
• Write about a day in the life of your favorite dessert. Make it as fun and wacky as possible.
• Write a story from the perspective of a raindrop on a rainy day.
• You have been given a magical pen that makes everything you draw come to life. What do you draw first and why?
• Imagine you are an astronaut exploring a new planet. Describe what you see, hear, and feel.
• If you could be any mythical creature for a day, what would you be and why? Describe your day.
• Write a story about a mischievous ghost who lives in your school.
• You’re a detective and you’ve been assigned to solve the case of the missing cookies. Who are your suspects?
• Your favorite toy comes to life! What adventures do you two have together?
• What if you woke up one day and everything was upside down? Write about your day.
• Write a story about a magical flower that only blooms once every hundred years. What happens when it blooms?
• If you had a pet dragon, what would a day in your life look like?
• Write a story about an adventure in a submarine deep under the sea. What creatures do you see?
• Imagine you could swap places with your teacher for a day. What would you do?
• Your shoes suddenly gain the ability to talk. What stories do they tell you about where they’ve been?
• Write a diary entry for a pirate sailing the seven seas in search of treasure.
• If you could invent a new holiday, what would it be, and how would people celebrate it?
• You find a magic pebble that grants you three wishes. What do you wish for and why?
• Write a story about a visit to a planet made of candy.
• What would it be like if animals were in charge and humans were pets?
• Write about a day in the life of a coin. Where does it go? What does it see?
• You have been chosen to host a party for all the fairytale characters. How would you plan and organize it?
• Imagine you could breathe underwater. Write about your adventures under the sea.

Tips For Using These Writing Prompts In Class

As a third-grade teacher, you are likely aware that merely providing students with a writing prompt may not yield the most effective outcomes. To help students fully tap into their creative writing abilities, consider these actionable strategies.

Offer Clear Instructions

Make sure to explain the prompt clearly and in a way that your students understand. If the prompt is complex, break it down into smaller parts. Ensure they understand the task at hand before they start writing.

Create a Safe Environment

Encourage creativity and originality. Let your students know that it’s okay to make mistakes and they should not be afraid of expressing their unique ideas.

Provide Examples

Sometimes, students may find it challenging to start. Providing an example or two can help them understand the prompt better and stimulate their own ideas.

Use Prompts as Conversation Starters

Discuss the writing prompts in class before students start writing. This will help stimulate ideas, and hearing their peers’ thoughts can inspire students who may be having difficulty.

Use Visual Aids

For younger students, visual aids can be really helpful. Draw a picture, show a video or use storyboards to help illustrate the prompt and get their creative juices flowing.

Allow Choices

If possible, offer more than one writing prompt at a time. Giving students the ability to choose their writing topic can make the task more engaging and personal for them.

Encourage Peer Reviews

After students have written their pieces, encourage them to exchange their stories with their classmates for peer review. This can help students learn from each other and also improve their editing and critiquing skills.

Provide Constructive Feedback

Giving feedback is crucial. Praise students for their efforts and provide constructive criticism to guide them on how to improve their writing.

Include Prompts Related to Current Lessons

While creative prompts are excellent, try to include some prompts that relate to what students are learning. For example, if they’re learning about animals’ habitats, include a prompt about it.

Schedule Regular Writing Time

Make writing a regular activity. Consistency can help students get into the habit of writing and improve their skills over time.

More Writing Prompts

Thanks for reading! I hope your students have lots of fun creating awesome stories using these writing prompts. Before you go, check out these related articles for writing prompt ideas: 1st Grade Writing Prompts 4th Grade Writing Prompts Adventure Writing Prompts Fantasy Writing Prompts

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Opinion writing prompts for grade 3

Tell us what you think.

These prompts ask students to express their opinion; hints accompany the prompts.  

Would you rather ..

Shivering cold or sweating hot?

Elephants of cats as classmates?

No school or no chores?

Wings or a tail?

Would you rather ...(generic prompt)

What is your favorite ....

What is your favorite reptile?

What is your favorite ice cream topping?

What is your favorite memory?

What is your favorite board game?

My favorite... (generic prompt)

Which is better...

Chocolate sauce or whipped cream?

Snakes or mice?

Chocolate or fruity candy?

Your birthday or Halloween?

Which is better... (generic prompt)

Write a review ...

Write a book review

Write a movie review

Write a video game review

Write a TV show review

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$100 toy or 100 $1 toys?

Book character or person from history?

Jump high or run far?

3 arms or 3 legs?

What is your favorite tradition?

What is your favorite age ?

What is your favorite thing to do?

What is your favorite rodent?

Friday or Saturday?

Staying up late or sleeping in?

Running or walking?

Write a song review

Write a game review

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