Monday, September 09, 2013

Bite Size Writing Assignment: September Journal Pages

September journal pages are a great way to get students back into the groove of school. With the first days of school behind us, it is easy to lose zeal quickly as familiar days of reading, homework, and studying settle in. Have your student(s) grab a notebook and choose some topics to journal about this month.

Make sure to let your student(s) know that journal pages are personal, expressive, creative, and fun!

September Journal Topics:


  • I'm glad to be back in school because...
  • My favorite fall sport
  • Fall harvest at my house
  • Why I love fall weather
  • What Patriot Day means to me


Encourage your student(s) to journal about any other topics they can come up with.

Monday, September 02, 2013

Bite Size Writing Assignment: The First Day of School

This week have your student(s) write a paragraph or two about the first day of school. Perhaps the calendar was turned to September 3 on the first day or school began sometime in August. Whenever your student(s) returned to school, encourage a journal page about it.

This assignment is suitable for most grades (very young students may need a bit more help) and can be very short or rather long. Take a look at both versions below:

Very Short


Have your student take out a piece of paper or a journal and a writing tool. Instruct the student(s) to write a paragraph or two about the first day of school. If they need a writing prompt or two, have them choose from the following list:


  • Was it hard to get up early?
  • Did you get to school on time?
  • What was your first subject of the day?
  • What was your favorite subject of the day?
  • What do you hope to learn about this year?
  • Did anything funny happen on the first day of school?
  • Did  you get all of your assignments done?


Rather Long


Using the same writing prompts listed above, have your student(s) write a full page for this assignment. After a first draft is complete, read the assignment and make notes regarding any grammatical or spelling errors. Also pay attention to how each sentence flows and if there is a good, strong start to the piece as well as an appropriate closing sentence.

Have your student(s) rewrite the assignment as a final draft.