Daily Writing Prompts - September

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September - General
September is National Coupon Month.  Many of your parents probably use coupons when they go shopping.  Create some of your own coupons to give family members.  An example would be:  “This coupon entitles you to one foot massage.”  Be creative and think of ways you could help out your family. PDF

September is National Honey Month.  Using resources in your classroom, learn how honey is produced by bees and what steps are taken to put it on your kitchen table.  You may even want to draw and label a diagram to go with your writing. PDF

September is National Apple Month.  There are a variety of different apples and they all have their own, unique taste.  Write about one of the following:  What is your favorite apple variety and how do you like to eat it?  OR Create a new dish using your favorite variety of apple. PDF

September is National Book Month.  A new type of book, an eBook, is making its way into homes and classrooms around the world.  An eBook doesn’t use paper and is listened to by the “reader.”  Would you rather read a paper book, listen to an eBook or a combination of both?  Why? PDF

September 1
On this day in 1830, “Mary had a Little Lamb” was published.  Create your own rhyme using the same tune. PDF

September 2
On September 2, 1789, the U.S. Treasury Department was established.  If you could design a new $1 bill, explain what famous American you would have on the front. PDF

On this day in 1987, Philips, an electronics company, announced they would be launching a CD-video that would combine HD video with digital sound. What is your favorite DVD and why? PDF

September 3
On September 3, 1929, author Aliki was born.  Who is your favorite author and what is your favorite book they have written?  Write a letter to them explaining why you like that specific book. PDF

September 3, 1940, color television was seen throughout homes in America for the first time thanks to CBS.  If your family was seeing color for the first time, how do you think they may have reacted?  What type of emotions were they feeling? PDF

On this day in 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed.  This treaty marked the official end to the Revolutionary War and America’s Independence.  After learning a little about this time period, why do you think this was such an important point in our country’s history?  PDF

September 4
September is "National Library Card Sign-Up Month.”  Do you have your own library card?  (If you don’t, you should visit with your parents about getting a card.)  Why do you think the public libraries are so important to our communities? PDF

September 5
On the first Monday of each September, we celebrate Labor Day.  This holiday was first celebrated in 1882, in honor of American workers and their achievements.  List all of the different community jobs in your town and then select the one you feel is most important.  Explain why you choose that particular job. PDF

September 5th is “National Cheese Pizza Day.”  What is your favorite type of pizza?  Explain to someone how they would make your favorite type of pizza. PDF

On September 5, 1774, the first Continental Congress convened.  One objective of the congress was to compose a statement of colonial rights.  If you had been a delegate representing your colony, what right would you have been fighting for and why? PDF

September 6
On September 6, 2000, a popular MP3 web site was fined for copyright violation.  Instead of purchasing an MP3, visitors could simply download an MP3 free of charge.  Music downloading is a popular activity with both kids and adults.  Do you think you should be able to make a music purchase and share it with everyone you want?  After learning a little more about copyright laws, what is your opinion? PDF

September 7
**NEW** September 7, 1927 was the day the first all-electronic television image was transmitted. Philo T. Farnsworth’s invention made it possible to build televisions with no moving parts. What type of an influence do you think television has had on our world? What have been some of the advantages? Have there also been some disadvantages? PDF

On this day in 1860, Grandma Moses, an American folk artist was born.  Think about a picture you have recently drawn or seen.  Describe that picture. PDF

September 8
On September 8, 1940, poet Jack Prelutsky was born.  He is well known for his fun and silly poems.  Select a school-related topic and write your own poem. PDF

On this day in 1892, the original Pledge of Allegiance was published.  This is not the pledge we recite today because it has been revised two times since its original publication.  Do you think all classrooms in the United States should be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day?  Should students or teachers have the option not to say the pledge?  Why or why not? PDF

September 9
On this day in 1850, California became the 31st state.  California’s motto is “Eureka!” which is a Greek word meaning, “I have found it.”  This motto can be found on their state seal.  A motto is a brief statement that expresses a goal or idea.  Create a motto for yourself and explain why you chose that motto. PDF

On September 9, 1963, Ming Ming was born at the Beijing Zoo.  Ming Ming was the first giant panda to be born in captivity at the zoo.  What do think are the advantages and/or disadvantages to animals being born in captivity? PDF

September 10
On this day in 1984, a British scientist by the name of Alec John Jeffreys discovered the DNA “fingerprint.”  During his work he discovered that we each have our own unique DNA pattern.  Using resources in the classroom, learn more about the history of DNA and how it’s being used today.  Write at least one paragraph summarizing your findings. PDF

September 10th is “Swap Ideas Day.”  Today or during the week, swap ideas with someone.  This could be a friend, sibling, parent, teacher, neighbor, or anyone.  And the idea can be about anything…just swap an idea! PDF

September 11
September 11th is a Day of Remembrance.  As we honor those who lost their lives on this day 2001, make a list of everything in your life that you are thankful for.  PDF

Today is “National Grandparents Day.”  Choose one of the following ideas to write about:

• Think back to the time when your grandparents grew up.  How was their life similar or different to yours?
• Write a letter to your grandparents letting them know what’s going on in your life. PDF

September 12
On September 12, 1913, Olympian Jesse Owens was born.  Owens won a number of medals in Track and Field events.  If you could invent a new Olympic event, what would it be and why? PDF

September 12th is “National Chocolate Milkshake Day.”  Write a letter to your school’s principal persuading him or her to serve milkshakes at your school.  PDF

September 13
September 13th is “Positive Thinking Day.”  Create a “Top 10” list of ways that students can stay positive when things get tough. PDF

On September 13, 1916, author Roald Dahl was born.  One of his more popular books, James and the Giant Peach, was made into a movie.  There is always a debate about which to do first – read the book or see the movie.  Which do you think is the right choice?  Has there been a time when your choice was wrong?  Explain. PDF

September 14
**NEW** The first spacecraft to reach the moon did so on September 14, 1959. The Luna 2, a Soviet spacecraft, landed on the moon and discovered it had no significant magnetic field. Do you think there will ever be a day when humans live on the moon? PDF

On this day in 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star Spangled Banner.”  As you may know, this song is our national anthem.  Explain what it means to you to be an American. PDF
Audio clip of song: http://memory.loc.gov/cocoon/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.100010361/default.html

September 15
September 15th is “National Make a Hat Day.”  Create your own hat and draw it on your paper.  Describe your hat and explain who would be most likely to use your hat. PDF

September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month.  Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about this holiday and summarize them in your own words. PDF

September 16
September 16th is Independence Day in Mexico.  Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about this country and summarize them in your own words. PDF

On September 6, 1620, the Pilgrims set sail from Plymouth, England.  If you had been a Pilgrim on the Mayflower, explain what some of your joys and fears may have been. PDF

September 17
**NEW** On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed. Amendments 1-10 are known as the Bill of Rights. Select one of these Amendments. After reading it and learning what it means, summarize the Amendment in “kid” terms. PDF

September 17th is “Citizenship Day.”  Explain what you think it means to be a good citizen of the World, the United States, your state, your town, and your school. PDF

On this day in 1976, NASA introduced the Enterprise to the public.  This was the first space shuttle and served as a test vehicle.  Regular shuttle flights began in 1981 with the shuttle Columbia. Do you think we should move forward with the idea of space tourism?  Instead of going to Disney World, your family may choose to travel into space.  What are your thoughts and opinions? PDF

September 18
On this day in 1851, the New York Times newspaper was first published.  Do you think it’s important for students your age to keep up on current events?  Why or why not? PDF

September 19
**NEW** Residents of Mexico were shaken by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake on this date in 1985. Is the area you live in prone to earthquakes? Use classroom and Internet resources to learn the likelihood of you feeling an earthquake. PDF

On this date in 1819, poet John Keats wrote a poem entitled "To Autumn.”  In just a few days, autumn will begin.  Write a poem that describes the change in seasons. PDF

September 20
On this date in 1519, Ferdinand Magellan began his search for the Spice Islands.  Magellan led the first successful attempt to sail around the entire Earth.  Compare sailing today to how it probably was in 1519. PDF

September 21
**NEW** On September 21, 1928, elementary-aged students were introduced to the current event magazine called My Weekly Reader. This student resource is now available in print or digital formats. Why do you think it’s important for you and your classmates to stay up-to-date on the latest current events from around the world? PDF

September 21st is “International Peace Day.”  What can you do to help keep peace in:  your school, your classroom, and your family? PDF

September 22
**NEW** On September 22, 1973, Henry Kissinger was sworn in as the U.S. Secretary of State. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about the role of Secretary of State. Summarize your information in your own words. PDF

On this day in 1789, the United States Post Office opened.  In recent years, many people have begun to use email.  Do you think there will ever be a time in the future that the only items actually “mailed” by the Post Office are packages?  And all letters and magazines will be sent via email? PDF

September 23
Autumn begins today.  What is your favorite season?  Explain why you enjoy that particular season. PDF

"National Dog Week" is the 4th week of September. There is a saying that a dog is "man's best friend." How do you think this saying came to be and does it hold any truth? PDF

On September 23, 1938, a seven-foot time capsule was buried on the grounds of the World’s Fair in New York City.  A number of everyday items were placed in the capsule with the directions to be opened in five thousand years.  If your teacher asked you to create a time capsule today, what items would you place in the capsule and why? PDF

September 24
**NEW** On this day in 1952, just of the coast of Japan, the underwater volcano, Myojin-Sho, erupted. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about these unique landforms and summarize them in your own words. PDF

On this day in 1789, the Supreme Court was established.  Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about the Supreme Court’s roll in our nation’s government and summarize them in your own words. PDF

September 25
On September 25, 1513, Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean.  What types of things do you think we still have to discover about the ocean? PDF

On September 25, author and illustrator Shel Silverstein was born.  Silverstein is known for his crazy, fun and silly poems.  Read several poems from several of his books.  Select one of the poems and create your own poem that mimics the specific style, pattern, etc. that he has used in that poem.  Don’t forget to illustrate your poem, once again staying within the style of Silverstein. PDF

Today is "Native American Day." Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about a Native American tribe that used to live in or near your area. Summarize your information in your own words. PDF

September 26
On September 26, 1774, John Chapman was born.  Later in life, he became better known as Johnny Appleseed.  Johnny performed a “community service” as he traveled west spreading apple seeds.  Write about some types of community service that you could possibly perform. PDF

September 27
September is “National Classical Music Month.”  Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about a classical musician and summarize your information in your own words. PDF

September 28
Rosh Hashanah begins today.  This event is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about this holiday.  Summarize the facts in your own words. PDF

September 29
On September 29, 1789, the U.S. Congress passed an act that officially established the U.S. Military.  Write a letter to a serviceman or servicewoman who is currently serving our country overseas. PDF

Today is “Good Neighbor Day.”  Make a list of everything you can do to be a good neighbor for those who live around you. PDF

September 30
In 1849, Walter Hunt invented the safety pin.  Write a poem to commemorate the invention of this handy device. PDF

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