Children love to write about their birthdays. Students could write about their presents, but there are other subjects in this prompt that could be included. Will you have a birthday party? What is special about your birthday this year? Do you remember any special birthdays? The subject matter students could write around the topic of their birthday is open for them to explore. Let students come up with their own ideas, but through this guided exercise they can have help in getting started.
In this prompt, ask students to either write about their pet or types of pets they like. Ask them what they like about their pet or the pet of someone else if they do not have a pet of their own. Always include open questions to help students respond with more than a short answer. This helps them think independently. Keep the prompts positive and entertaining.
The subject of favorite places can provide students who have traveled --- and those who have not --- the opportunity to write from their experiences. Vacations can be a good subject to bring up in the area of favorite places. If students have not traveled, then the answer can come from places they have heard about through stories or seen on television and in movies. You can even ask where students would like to go that they have not been. Try to push the students to write comfortably by opening the subject wide enough to include everyone.
Kids love to eat. Have students talk about their favorite lunch or dinner. What is their favorite treat? This prompt can even be introduced with a healthy snack to reinforce nutrition while giving them a creative outlet. With this journal, students can cross over into other subject areas you may be covering, such as health and science. Think creatively with your journal prompts to help students learn in other academic areas.