Daily Writing Prompts - January
Below are daily writing prompts for the month of January. The majority of the prompts are related to the various events on our January Events Calendar. These events include birthdays, holidays, monthly celebrations, and important dates in history. Some of the dates include two different writing prompts to choose from. You can download a PDF form of the writing prompt.
Even though your students may not be in class all the days of January, use the prompts from those days as additional writing practice.
Don't forget to also print a copy of our January Events Calendar. This will help you utilize the daily writing prompts.
We also have a bunch of other January Activities, Lesson Plans and Resources.
January 1
On this day in 1892, Ellis Island opened. Put yourself in the shoes of those first immigrants to the United States. What do you think were some of their feelings, their hopes, and their fears? PDF
On January 1, 1752, Betsy Ross was born. As you may know, she sewed the first American flag. If you were asked to create a new flag for the United States, what would it look like? Explain why you made your design choices. PDF
January 2
The drinking straw was patented on this day in 1888. You have been asked to organize the first ever “Drinking Straw Olympics.” What type of events would be you create for the event? Remember…the main item for all events has to be the straw. PDF
January 3
Author J.R.R. Tolkien was born on this day in 1892. Tolkien is best known as the author of “The Lord of the Rings.” This book recently became a movie. Many people, possibly even you, enjoy comparing the original book to the movie. Which do you think people should do first? Read the book or see the movie? Explain your thinking. PDF
January 4
Jacob Grimm was born on this day in 1785. Jacob and his brother are known for the “Grimm’s Fairy Tales.” Which two fairy tales would you like to see combined? Make a writing plan of how you would combine the characters, setting, plot, problem, and solution. (If you have time, you may want to write the actual story.) PDF
January 4th is Trivia Day. Using resources in the classroom, find some facts of your own to share with a classmate. Try to find facts that aren’t well known and that may even surprise someone. PDF
January 5
On January 5, 1925, the first woman governor, Nellie Ross, was inaugurated in Wyoming. Would you like to be the governor of your state? Why or why not? PDF
Today is National Bird Day. Keep track of all the birds you see today. Use the Internet or a bird identification book to identify them. PDF
January 6
Poet Carl Sandburg was born on this day in 1878. Select your favorite style (e.g. haiku, free verse, cinquain, etc.) of poetry and write a poem. PDF
January 7
In 1789, the first U.S. Presidential election was held. If you were running for President at that time, what issue(s) would you have based your campaign on? PDF
Today is Old Rock Day. List all the possible uses for a rock. PDF
January 8
Elvis Presley was born on this day in 1935. Presley is well known as “The King of Rock and Roll.” Do you have a certain song or type of music that you listen to depending on your feelings? Explain why you listen to this song or type of music. PDF
January 9
The 1st U.S. balloon flight occurred on this day in 1793. Would you like to take a ride in a hot air balloon? Why or why not? PDF
January 9th is National Static Electricity Day. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about the cause of static electricity and summarize them in your own words. PDF
January 10
The first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly occurred on this day in London in 1946. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about the United Nations and summarize them in your own words. PDF
January 11
Today is Secret Pal Day. Select someone in your classroom or school. Write that person a short letter explaining why you appreciate them. Remember…don’t sign your name. Have someone else deliver your special message. PDF
January 12
January 12th is Work Harder Day. Think of a way that you can work harder today. This can either be at school or at home. Write about your plan. PDF
January 13
Today is “Make Your Dreams Come True Day.” What are your dreams? Write about the dreams you have for your future. Explain how you are going to make them come true.PDF
January 14
Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. King was born in 1929. He delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. Beginning with those same words, write your own speech about your hopes for our world and its people. PDF
January 14th is “National Dress-Up Your Pet Day.” How do you think our pets feel when we dress them up in clothing? Describe what may be going on in a pet’s head while they are being dressed-up. PDF
January 15
On this day in 1967, the first Super Bowl played. Green Bay defeated Kansas City by a score of 35 to 10. To make it to the Super Bowl, football teams must work together. What do you think is the most difficult part of working with other students, or in teams, at school? What are the advantages of working with others? PDF
January 16
Today is “National Do Nothing Day.” If you could invent your own day, what would it be called? What would you want people to do on your special day? PDF
January 17
On this day in 1706, Benjamin Franklin was born. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about the Benjamin Franklin and summarize them in your own words. PDF
January 18
On January 18, 1803, the first official exploration of unknown spaces was undertaken by the United States government. This exploration was conducted by Lewis and Clark. Would you liked to have joined these two on their adventure? Why or why not? PDF
January 19
January is “National Thank You Month.” Take a minute and create a list of everyone who you could send a Thank You Card/Letter. (This doesn’t have to be for a gift.) Select at least one of these people and write them a card or letter. PDF
January 20
Today is “Cheese Day.” Describe all the different ways you could eat cheese. PDF
January 21
Today is “National Hugging Day.” Make a list of the people you would like to hug. PDF
January 22
January 22nd is “Popcorn Day.” If you could invent your own flavor of popcorn, what would it be and why? PDF
January 23
Today is “National Measure Your Feet Day.” Have everyone in your class measure their feet, collect the measurements and then find the following landmarks in your data: mean, mode, median, maximum, and minimum. PDF
January 24
On this day in 1848, gold was discovered in California at Sutter's Mill by John Marshall. Would you have liked to of been an early miner? Why or why not? What do you think like was like for these men? PDF
January 25
On January 25, 1924, the first Winter Olympics were held. What is your favorite event to watch during the Winter Olympics? Explain your answer. PDF
January 26
Today is “Australia Day.” It marks the date that Australia was first settled in 1788. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about Australia and summarize them in your own words. PDF
January 27
On this day in 1832, author Lewis Carroll was born. His most famous piece of work was Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Who is your favorite character in this book and why? PDF
January 28
Today is the birthday of Sesame Street character, Ernie's birthday. If you could create a television show for kids, what type of a show would it be? What is its name? What type of information would it contain? PDF
January 29
Today is “National Puzzle Day.” What is your favorite type of puzzle to solve and why? PDF
January 30
On January 23, 1882, the 23rd President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was born. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about Roosevelt and summarize them in your own words. PDF
January 31
On this day in 1919, baseball great Jackie Robinson was born. What do you think it takes to be a great athlete? Write about the characteristics and qualities it takes for someone to reach a level of greatness in a sport. PDF
Check out our other January Activities, Lesson Plans and Resources.
