How-To Writing Prompts That Actually Get Them Writing — As elementary students begin to learn how to read and write, they can find the writing process to be a bit of a chore. Teachers are often searching for unique and innovative ways to make writing more appealing and interesting to young learners, and they almost all agree that how-to writing is the leading genre for young students.
You see…
How-to writing allows students to describe the process involved with a particular activity or experience. It gives them a chance to share something about themselves and write about a topic that is practical and applicable in the real world.
What is How-To Writing?
How-to writing is a type of writing that explains a process or procedure step-by-step. It’s like giving someone clear instructions on how to do something, whether it’s a simple task like making a sandwich or a more complex one like building a model airplane.
How-to writing aims to make the process easy to follow and understand. It typically involves:
- Clear and concise instructions: Each step should be easy to understand and follow.
- Logical order: The steps should be presented in a logical sequence.
- Visual aids: Diagrams, pictures, or flowcharts can help to clarify the process.
- Strong verbs: Action verbs like “mix,” “stir,” and “cut” make the instructions more engaging.
- Transition words: Words like “first,” “next,” and “finally” help to connect the steps.
Examples of how-to writing include recipes, assembly instructions, science experiment procedures, and DIY tutorials but can also be more creative if included as part of a story.
25 How-To Writing Prompts for Elementary Students
If you want to really get the students in your classroom interested in their writing assignment, then you will want to use this engaging list of how-to writing prompts designed with elementary learners in mind.
- Write a how-to essay about the best way to keep a secret.
- Imagine that you and your classmates made your own time machine. How would it work? Describe the process in your journal.
- What if you were dealing with writer’s block? Write a how-to essay about how you would overcome this challenge, which is faced by many writers of all ages and skill levels.
- Write a poem about how to make a best friend.
- What is your favorite craft? Write instructions on how to do it. Don’t forget to include a list of materials needed!
- Some writers rely on story starters before they begin their novels or short stories. Write a list of five story ideas that you think would be the perfect beginning to any book.
- Imagine what life might be like for your pet. Write a how-to essay about how to take care of your pet, but from your pet’s perspective.
- Write down instructions for your best friend about how to do homework after school.
- Write a short story that takes place during your favorite holiday. Within the story, write how to celebrate this holiday in the best possible way.
- Imagine that you were moving to a new planet. Write a list of instructions on how to adapt to life on that planet.
- Write down instructions on how to jump rope without getting twisted or falling down.
- Write instructions on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Then, follow them exactly according to your instructions and see how your sandwich turns out!
- Write a short story about a character who is just learning how to use their new superpower.
- Write instructions for your friends about how to best play with your favorite toy.
- Imagine the point of view of your favorite character. Now, write a short story about how they would get ready for the day.
- Leprechauns are known to bring good luck — if you can catch one. Let your creativity show, and write about how you would catch a leprechaun.
- Write instructions on how to get a better grade on your next test.
- Imagine a scenario in which you have to find the hidden treasure before the enemy finds it. How would you get to the treasure?
- Write instructions on how to make your favorite kind of pizza in your classroom notebook.
- You probably know more about social media than your teacher. Write instructions for your teacher about how to make a really great video on TikTok.
- Think about something that you can do better than older kids — even the ones in high school. Now, write instructions to teach them about your trick.
- Imagine that the main character in your story has to take care of a tiny baby. Create a secondary character who will give them instructions about what to do with that baby while they are babysitting.
- What does it take to be a good friend? Write a journal entry that includes instructions for being a good friend to others.
- Write instructions on how to make the biggest, most delicious ice cream sundae you can even imagine.
- Give instructions to your best friend about how to blow a bubble while chewing bubble gum. Be sure to give as much detail as possible — this task can be tricky!
How-to writing is a fun and valuable tool for elementary students to develop their writing skills, share their knowledge, and build their confidence.
These how-to writing prompts are designed to keep students excited and engaged in the writing process. When they learn to love writing — and they begin to see the impact that good, thorough writing can have — they will be more inclined to keep on writing, throughout elementary school and beyond!
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Until next time, write on…
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journalbuddies.com
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PS Check out this helpful “How-To” printable!
