Activity
Daily Writing Prompts
A five-day, Tier 1 writing routine for 3rd graders. Each 60-minute session includes:
- Warm-Up (5 min): Quick partner or group share to get ideas flowing.
- Guided Brainstorm (10 min): Teacher models planning sentences and details.
- Independent Writing (25 min): Students write a full paragraph (5–7 sentences).
- Sharing & Feedback (15 min): Volunteers read aloud; peers offer positive comments.
- Extension (5 min): Extra challenge or art connection.
Materials: pencils, lined paper, crayons or colored pencils.
Day 1: My Friendly Monster
Warm-Up: In pairs, list three words that describe a friendly monster (e.g., fuzzy, giggly, colorful). Share aloud.
Guided Brainstorm: Teacher draws a monster on chart paper and labels: name, color, favorite thing to do, how it helps you.
Independent Writing Prompt:
Write a paragraph describing your Friendly Monster. Include:
- Topic sentence naming your monster.
- Three detail sentences about its appearance, actions, and how it makes you feel.
- Concluding sentence about why you like it.
Sharing & Feedback: Two volunteers read. Class gives a thumbs-up and one “I like how you…” comment.
Extension: Draw your monster next to your paragraph; add a speech bubble showing what it might say.
Day 2: A Day in My Life
Warm-Up: Quick-write three things you do every morning. Share with a partner.
Guided Brainstorm: Model a daily schedule chart (wake up, breakfast, school, play). Label times.
Independent Writing Prompt:
Write a paragraph titled “A Day in My Life.” Include:
- Topic sentence about your favorite part of the day.
- Three details describing activities in order.
- Concluding sentence about what you look forward to next.
Sharing & Feedback: Students clap after each reading; ask one question about the writer’s day.
Extension: Write a “to-do” list poster for tomorrow’s best day ever.
Day 3: My Amazing Animal
Warm-Up: Name your favorite animal and one special fact about it. Share with group.
Guided Brainstorm: On chart, list: animal’s name, habitat, food, one fun fact.
Independent Writing Prompt:
Write a paragraph about your Amazing Animal. Include:
- Topic sentence naming the animal and where it lives.
- Three detail sentences: what it eats, how it moves, one fun fact.
- Concluding sentence about why you chose it.
Sharing & Feedback: Pair up. Each student reads and the partner tells one new thing they learned.
Extension: Create a mini-poster of your animal: draw and label parts.
Day 4: My Dream School
Warm-Up: Brainstorm one class you’d love to have and why. Share in a quick circle.
Guided Brainstorm: Teacher draws a school building and labels classrooms, playground, special rooms.
Independent Writing Prompt:
Write a paragraph about your Dream School. Include:
- Topic sentence naming the special class or feature.
- Three details: what happens there, who teaches, how students feel.
- Concluding sentence inviting friends to join.
Sharing & Feedback: Small groups share ideas; classmates vote on their favorite feature.
Extension: Design a school logo or motto under your paragraph.
Day 5: Invent Something New
Warm-Up: In groups, list problems you’d like to solve (e.g., noisy locker, heavy backpack).
Guided Brainstorm: Teacher sketches an invention idea; labels parts and what problem it solves.
Independent Writing Prompt:
Write a paragraph about your invention. Include:
- Topic sentence naming your invention and the problem.
- Three detail sentences: how it works, what it looks like, who uses it.
- Concluding sentence about why it will help people.
Sharing & Feedback: Gallery Walk: display paragraphs and drawings; classmates leave sticky-note compliments.
Extension: Partner up and build a simple prototype using classroom materials (paper, tape, straws).
Lesson Plan
Paragraph Power Lesson Plan
Students will write a coherent 5–7 sentence paragraph each day using a clear topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence to build confidence and fluency.
Daily, varied prompts encourage creativity, reinforce paragraph structure, boost vocabulary, and provide universal (Tier 1) practice to strengthen all writers’ skills.
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Time
5 sessions × 60 minutes each
Approach
Guided brainstorming, independent writing, and peer sharing each day.
Materials
- Daily Writing Prompts, - Pencils, - Lined Paper, - Crayons or Colored Pencils, - Chart Paper and Markers, and - Sticky Notes
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 min
- Review the Daily Writing Prompts for each day’s routine and prompts.
- Prepare chart paper and markers for guided brainstorms.
- Gather pencils, lined paper, crayons (or colored pencils), and sticky notes.
- Arrange seating to facilitate partner work, group sharing, and a gallery walk.
Step 1
Day 1: My Friendly Monster
60 min
- Warm-Up (5 min): In pairs, list three words describing a friendly monster; share aloud.
- Guided Brainstorm (10 min): On chart paper, model labeling your monster’s name, color, favorite activity, and how it helps people.
- Independent Writing (25 min): Students write a paragraph with:
• A topic sentence naming the monster
• Three detail sentences about appearance, actions, and feelings
• A concluding sentence explaining why they like it - Sharing & Feedback (15 min): Two volunteers read; classmates give a thumbs-up and one “I like how you…” comment.
- Extension (5 min): Draw the monster and add a speech bubble showing what it might say.
Step 2
Day 2: A Day in My Life
60 min
- Warm-Up (5 min): Quick-write three things you do every morning; share with a partner.
- Guided Brainstorm (10 min): Model a daily schedule chart (wake up, breakfast, school, play) with times.
- Independent Writing (25 min): Write a paragraph titled “A Day in My Life” with:
• A topic sentence about your favorite part of the day
• Three sequenced detail sentences
• A concluding sentence about what you look forward to next - Sharing & Feedback (15 min): Students clap after each reading and ask one question about the writer’s day.
- Extension (5 min): Create a “to-do” list poster for tomorrow’s best day ever.
Step 3
Day 3: My Amazing Animal
60 min
- Warm-Up (5 min): Name your favorite animal and one fun fact; share in small groups.
- Guided Brainstorm (10 min): On chart paper, list the animal’s name, habitat, diet, and one fun fact.
- Independent Writing (25 min): Write a paragraph with:
• A topic sentence naming the animal and its habitat
• Three detail sentences about what it eats, how it moves, and a fun fact
• A concluding sentence on why you chose it - Sharing & Feedback (15 min): Pair up; one reads while the partner shares one new fact they learned.
- Extension (5 min): Create a mini-poster of your animal, drawing and labeling its parts.
Step 4
Day 4: My Dream School
60 min
- Warm-Up (5 min): Brainstorm one class or feature you’d love to have; share in a quick circle.
- Guided Brainstorm (10 min): Teacher sketches a school layout on chart paper, labeling key areas (classrooms, playground, etc.).
- Independent Writing (25 min): Write a paragraph with:
• A topic sentence naming the special feature
• Three detail sentences describing what happens there, who teaches, and how students feel
• A concluding sentence inviting friends to join - Sharing & Feedback (15 min): In small groups, share and vote on the favorite feature.
- Extension (5 min): Design a school logo or motto beneath your paragraph.
Step 5
Day 5: Invent Something New
60 min
- Warm-Up (5 min): In groups, list problems you’d like to solve (e.g., noisy locker, heavy backpack); share.
- Guided Brainstorm (10 min): Teacher sketches an invention idea on chart paper, labels parts, and explains the problem it solves.
- Independent Writing (25 min): Write a paragraph with:
• A topic sentence naming your invention and the problem
• Three detail sentences on how it works, what it looks like, and who uses it
• A concluding sentence about why it will help people - Sharing & Feedback (15 min): Gallery Walk: display paragraphs and drawings; classmates leave sticky-note compliments.
- Extension (5 min): Partner up to build a simple prototype using classroom materials (paper, tape, straws).
Slide Deck
Paragraph Power Week
• 5 days of guided paragraph writing
• Daily routine: Warm-Up, Brainstorm, Write, Share, Extension
• Goal: Write a clear 5–7 sentence paragraph each day
• Materials: pencils, lined paper, crayons/colored pencils, chart paper, sticky notes
Welcome students! Introduce Paragraph Power Week: a 5-day routine to build confidence writing strong paragraphs. Explain each session follows the same structure: Warm-Up, Guided Brainstorm, Independent Writing, Sharing & Feedback, and an Extension. Display the agenda.
Day 1: My Friendly Monster
Warm-Up (5 min)
• In pairs, list 3 words describing a friendly monster
Guided Brainstorm (10 min)
• Model monster details: name, color, favorite thing, how it helps
Write (25 min)
• Topic sentence naming your monster
• 3 detail sentences: appearance, actions, feelings
• Concluding sentence: why you like it
Share (15 min)
• 2 volunteers read aloud
• Class gives thumbs-up & one “I like how you…” comment
Extension (5 min)
• Draw your monster and add a speech bubble
Project the Day 1 slide. Refer to the Daily Writing Prompts for details. Model drawing a friendly monster on chart paper, labeling name, color, favorite activity, and how it helps people. Encourage partners to share descriptive words.
Day 2: A Day in My Life
Warm-Up (5 min)
• Quick-write 3 things you do every morning; share with a partner
Guided Brainstorm (10 min)
• Create a timeline chart of your ideal morning with times
Write (25 min)
• Title: “A Day in My Life”
• Topic sentence about your favorite part of the day
• 3 detail sentences in order
• Concluding sentence about what you look forward to next
Share (15 min)
• Class claps after each reading & asks one question
Extension (5 min)
• Make a “to-do” list poster for tomorrow’s best day
Display Day 2 agenda. Model a simple daily schedule chart (wake up, breakfast, school, play) with times. Emphasize sequencing language (first, then, finally).
Day 3: My Amazing Animal
Warm-Up (5 min)
• Name your favorite animal & share one special fact in small groups
Guided Brainstorm (10 min)
• List on chart: animal’s name, habitat, diet, one fun fact
Write (25 min)
• Topic sentence: name of animal & where it lives
• 3 detail sentences: what it eats, how it moves, a fun fact
• Concluding sentence: why you chose it
Share (15 min)
• Pair up: one reads, partner shares one new fact learned
Extension (5 min)
• Create a mini-poster: draw & label your animal
For Day 3, remind students to think about interesting facts. Model listing habitat and diet on chart paper. Highlight how fun facts make writing engaging.
Day 4: My Dream School
Warm-Up (5 min)
• Brainstorm one class or feature you’d love to have; share in a quick circle
Guided Brainstorm (10 min)
• Sketch school map on chart, label key areas
Write (25 min)
• Topic sentence: name your special feature
• 3 detail sentences: what happens there, who teaches, how students feel
• Concluding sentence: invite friends to join
Share (15 min)
• Small groups share ideas & vote on their favorite
Extension (5 min)
• Design a school logo or motto beneath your paragraph
On Day 4, sketch a simple school layout showing classrooms, playground, and special rooms. Ask students to imagine new features they'd love.
Day 5: Invent Something New
Warm-Up (5 min)
• In groups, list problems you’d like to solve (e.g., heavy backpack)
Guided Brainstorm (10 min)
• Sketch invention idea; label parts & explain problem solved
Write (25 min)
• Topic sentence: name your invention & the problem
• 3 detail sentences: how it works, what it looks like, who uses it
• Concluding sentence: why it will help people
Share (15 min)
• Gallery Walk: display paragraphs & drawings; leave sticky-note compliments
Extension (5 min)
• Partner up to build a simple prototype using classroom materials
For Day 5, encourage problem-solving ideas. Model inventing something on chart paper, labeling parts and the problem solved.
Congratulations & Next Steps
• Review: Topic sentence, 3 detail sentences, concluding sentence
• Highlight favorite moments from each day
• Display exemplary paragraphs & illustrations
• Encourage daily writing for practice and fun
Wrap up the week by reviewing paragraph structure: topic sentence, supporting details, concluding sentence. Celebrate student work and encourage continued practice at home or in other subjects.