Fifth graders have gotten used to thinking of writing as a process that requires research, feedback, and revision. Being able to summarize and paraphrase information is a key skill. So is being able to express an opinion logically, with reasons to support it. Keep writing practice fun by participating in creative brainstorming and encouraging your child to reflect before putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.
For more, read our overview of fifth grade writing skills and check out these real fifth grade nonfiction writing samples.
10 5th grade writing prompts
Generosity strikes
Where to start: “If I had a million dollars, I’d鈥�.” Many kids have made a statement like this. Start by fantasizing about what you would do with a big, unexpected sum of money. Now imagine that the money had to be used to help someone else, or make someone’s life better.
Prompt: If you could give away a thousand dollars, who would you give it to? How would you decide?
How to go deeper: How do you think it would feel to have done that? (Use the back of this page to write.)
Wounded pride
Where to start: This exercise asks you to write a story involving a common emotion: embarrassment. Think about different types of things that cause embarrassment. You could write a silly, slapstick story or a serious one, but think about how to use dialog and descriptive words that show the reader how the characters are feeling.
Prompt: Write a true or made-up story about what it feels like to trip and fall down when people are watching.
How to go deeper: Now imagine this same story from the point of view of a bystander. Retell the story with the bystander as the narrator. What did they see? How did they feel about it? (Use the back of this page to write.)
Can’t live without it
Where to start: This exercise is about giving logical reasons for an opinion. Start with a conversation about different devices, such as phones, computers, video games, etc. What are each of these devices good and not-so-good for?
Prompt: If you could have just one electronic device, what would it be? Why?
How to go deeper: Imagine you could design your own device. What would it do? (Use the back of this page to write.)
Cosmic kids
Where to start: Start with a conversation about space exploration, both real and fictional. What would it be like to live on a space station? What would you miss?
Prompt: Imagine that NASA is looking for kid volunteers to populate an experimental colony on Mars. Would you sign up? Why or why not?
How to go deeper: Draw an outer space place that you would like to explore. (Use the back of this page to write.)
In between
Where to start: Adults have a lot to say about the challenges facing kids today. This exercise gives kids the opportunity to be the experts on their own experience. Start with a conversation about what it’s like to no longer be a little kid but not yet be a teenager.
Prompt: What’s the hardest thing about being the age adults call “tween,” meaning in between a kid and teenager?
How to go deeper: What’s something you wish adults understood about your age? (Use the back of this page to write.)
Fridge fun
Where to start: Comparing and contrasting two things in writing is an important new skill. Start by choosing two items from the refrigerator. How would you describe each item? What sort of food are they? (Meat? Vegetable? Condiment?) Is one older, bigger, softer, smellier, wetter, crunchier, tastier than the other? How are they alike? How are they different?
Prompt: Compare and contrast two items in your refrigerator.
How to go deeper: What is the most important way these items are alike? What’s the most important way they are different? (Use the back of this page to write.)
Fame and fortune
Where to start: Family, friends, and media inform kids’ ideas and values. This exercise gives kids a chance to explore their beliefs. Start with a conversation about real or fictional people who are rich or famous. What are their lives like?
Prompt: Is it better to be really rich or really famous? Why?
How to go deeper: Are there any downsides to being either of these things? (Use the back of this page to write.)
Analog world
Where to start: Start with a conversation about how you’ve interacted with the internet so far today. Talk about some of the ways people used to do some of the things we now rely on the internet for, such as research, shopping, sharing news with friends, watching movies, and learning.
Prompt: What would happen if the internet disappeared?
How to go deeper: Would you want to take a break from the internet for one week? Why or why not? (Use the back of this page to write.)
Be prepared
Where to start: Start a conversation with a big 鈥渨hat if鈥�: If you were in an action movie and faced a zombie apocalypse or getting stranded on a desert island (or some other challenging situation that isn鈥檛 as scary to consider), what would you bring? Why?
Prompt: What three essential things would you want to have in your backpack in the event of an emergency? Explain why each item is important.
How to go deeper: How would your backpack items differ from those in your friend鈥檚 backpack? (Use the back of this page to write.)
Career choices
Where to start: Start with a conversation about different jobs and professions. How many different jobs can you name? What do you know about what each does?
Prompt: What do you think would be a good job or career to have? Why?
How to go deeper: What do you know about what it takes to get that job? How could you find out? (Use the back of this page to write.)
