Break the ice and start back-to-school season smoothly using these engaging first-day-of-school writing prompts for students.
These prompts serve as a gentle way to ease students back into the academic routine, allowing them to process their feelings, share experiences, and build connections with their peers.
What’s more, these writing prompts for the first day of school reduce writer’s block, sharpen writing skills, instill a love for writing, and set a positive tone for the new school year.
No matter the grade you teach, these first-day-of-school writing prompts encourage students to showcase their writing skills and embrace a growth mindset.
Even reluctant writers will move their pens to these writing prompts about school.
First-Day-of-School Writing Prompts
Get to know your students, and assess their writing abilities utilizing these engaging back-to-school writing activity ideas.
1. On the first day of school, I feel…
2. Which animal best represents your personality, and why?
3. For the new school year, I can’t wait to learn about…
4. Brainstorm three S.M.A.R.T. goals you want to accomplish this school year, and tell how you will achieve them.
5. Write about your most memorable summer experience.
6. Draft a letter to your teacher convincing him/her that you are the right person for a particular classroom job.
7. My favorite summer memory…
8. Describe what you did the day before in order to prepare for the first day of school.
9. When I grow up, I want to be…
10. Write about two habits you need to change plus what you will do in order to improve.
11. Describe the perfect school day.
12. The topic is the first week of school. Now generate a list of actions and things related to the topic for every letter of the alphabet.
13. Explain the best ways to study for a test.
14. The principal wants your input for a new after-school club. Share your ideas.
15. Draft a letter to yourself one year from now.
16. Write a letter to a classmate or the teacher introducing yourself. Share your name, age, favorite music, interests, and any special talents.
17. Describe in detail a time in your life when you were very frightened.
18. Write about at least two skills and/or topics you are excited to learn about this school year.
19. Your teacher is asking your opinion regarding a few new class rewards. Share two of your favorites, and tell why you like them.
20. Describe in detail a really good first day of school.
21. List 1o words connected with back-to-school. Now compose a poem that includes those words.
22. Write a story about being the new kid in school.
23. Imagine that you’re in charge of helping the librarian create a themed book display for the first week of school. Describe your ideas.
24. Create a fun attention-getter that your teacher can use to quiet the class.
25. Draft an article for the school newspaper giving tips on how to start the school year on a good note.
26. Write a review of one of your summer reading books.
27. How does responding to first-day-of-school writing prompts benefit you as a student?
28. Reflecting on all the lessons you’ve learned, write a letter to your younger self.
29. I am most excited to do the following activities this school year…
30. Write about a school day in the life of your teacher. What adventures, challenges, surprises, and successes might he or she face daily?
31. Would you rather take a test or write an essay? Explain your thinking.
32. Write a letter to your teacher convincing him why it’s okay to allow students to use their devices after completing class assignments.
33. Write a letter to a friend with tips on how to cope with first-day jitters.
34. Three things I want my teacher to know about me…
35. Describe your dream college plus a typical day for you on campus.
36. Share the recipe for success this school year. What does it take to consistently stay on task, receive good grades, and be an all-around great student?
37. Write a critique of a book or movie you recently consumed.
38. Share the most memorable school project you’ve ever done.
Get-to-Know-You Writing Prompts for the First Day of School
39. Share any holiday traditions you participate in with your family.
40. Name two of your academic strengths and 2 areas in which you need to improve.
41. Share 10-15 cool facts about yourself. (e.g. languages spoken, extracurricular activities, etc.)
42. Would you rather read fiction or non-fiction books? Why?
43. Write about any countries you’ve visited. Describe any memorable moments.
44. Retell a scene from a book you recently read.
45. What are 2 goals you want to accomplish this year?
46. When you are an adult, what career would you like to have? Why do you think you’d be good for this job?
47. Describe your family.
48. Make a list of your favorites (movies, music, food, subjects, holidays, sports, animals, vacation spots, etc.) Share why you love these things.
49. Which 10 adjectives would you use to describe yourself? Give an example for each.
50. The perfect day looks like…
51. How does a typical weekend look for you and your family?
52. Describe some books you enjoy in your favorite genre.
53. I struggle the most with … but I’m really good at…
54. Write a “recipe for school success”. Tell the ingredients, measurements, and provide instructions.
55. The best thing about school is…
56. Share some things that make you sad and some things that make you happy.
57. Describe your ideal school field trip destination and what you would like to learn from it.
58. Invent a new school club that you would like to start at your school. What is it like?
59. If you had a magic backpack, what items would be in it and why?
60. Write a poem about your favorite school subject.
61. Write a book review of your favorite summer reading book.
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Final Thoughts On Writing Prompts for the First Day of School
These first-day-of-school writing prompts are an effective way to kickstart the new school year.
They instill a love for writing, help teachers observe students’ writing skills, and allow students to express themselves.
So be sure to include a few of them in your back-to-school lesson plans.