3rd Grade Common Core: W.3.4

Write a story titled, "My Journey on a Pirate Ship." You and your friends can star in the story.  (journal topics)

How old were you four years ago? Describe some things you can do now that you could not do then.  (critical thinking writing)

Describe one time when you were brave. (creative writing journal)

Alex is sure he's going to be in big trouble when he has to bring his math quiz home to be signed. But his failing grade may help him find an answer to his math problems.

If you were a doctor, what kind of doctor would you be? (examples: childrens' doctor, veterinarian, eye doctor, dentist) Tell what your job would be like. (careers)

Imagine you were a wonderful painter and your parents would let you paint anything you wanted on your bedroom walls. What would you paint? Use lots of details to describe your artwork.  (descriptive writing essay)

Think of a time when you've won something. Tell what you won and how you won it.  (personal narrative)

Jose dreams of being a superhero.  When Sarah's cat gets stuck in a tree, he may finally have his chance.

Have you ever had a frosted ketchup pop, pickle-pudding applesauce, or cherry-whipped-cream stew? The creative young cook in this poem makes all kinds of tasty concoctions.

If you could spend an afternoon with one member of your extended family, who would it be? Tell why you chose this person and tell what you do together.  (descriptive writing)

Kendall is raking leaves in his yard and he can't imagine anything more boring. Eli, her next-door neighbor, shows her just how much fun raking leaves can be if you make a game of it.

If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be? Describe the pet and how you would take care of it.

This worksheet has a picture of a boy planting a tree. Color the picture and write a creative story to go along with the illustration.

Anna buries a time capsule in her garden with her favorite book, her yo-yo, and other treasured items.  After a short while, she realizes that all of her favorite things are gone and she wants them back.

Bobby doesn't like having to give up his Friday nights to watch his brother Nick play football, but when he finds out he's Nick's good luck charm, he just might change his mind.

Damon loves his dog, Prince, but when a new puppy shows up next door, Prince is pushed aside. Can Damon learn that while puppies are cute, a grown dog can offer friendship?

Imagine you worked at a football stadium. What would your job be? (examples: quarterback, cheerleader, coach, referee, ticket seller) Describe what you would do while you were on the job.  (creative journal prompt)

All Adrianna really wanted for Christmas was a new sled, but now that she has one it won't snow. Will the snow come before winter break is over or will Adrianna's favorite gift sit unused?

Mindy has been practicing for soccer sign-ups, but when all her friends decide to join cheerleading, Mindy will have to decide if being with them is more important than playing soccer.

Describe the oldest person you know. (descriptive paragraph writing)

Invent a new kind of sandwich. Describe what is on it and how you would make it. (critical thinking and writing)

Maxine is worried about her math test, and when her best friend, Adam, tells her it's Friday the 13th, Max finds herself worrying even more. Will stepping on cracks and walking under a ladder be enough bad luck to make Max fail her test?

Which superpower would you most like to have-- invisibility, super strength, or the ability to fly? Describe what kinds of things you would do with your powers. (creative thinking)

Learn dozens of fascinating facts about stinky, smelly skunks.

Do you have any brothers or sisters? If you do, describe what they're like. If you don't, tell whether or not you would like to have a brother or sister.  (creative writing; family)

This Seuss-inspired picture has a cat, riding upside-down on a unicycle while carrying a birthday cake.

Spencer wants to spend day off of school riding bikes with his best friend, but a spring rainstorm ruins his plans. Or does it? With a little creative thinking, Spencer and Elton may be able to ride after all.
(Approx. Grade Level: 3-4)

All Toby wants for his birthday is a new Super Robotoman action figure, and he makes sure everyone knows it. But when he finally rips into his birthday gifts, he'll get big surprise.

What do you like best about your home? (descriptive writing idea)

In this picture a boy is handing an apple to his teacher. Write a fun story to explain what's happening.

Imagine you opened your own restaurant. Tell the name of your restaurant. Explain what the restaurant looks like, who works there, and what you serve.  (Writing ideas)

Draw and describe Mrs. Granger's character from the novel.

Michael needs to make some extra money to buy a new video game, and with his older brother's help, he'll make enough in no time. But will Michael get his new game or find a way to repay his brother?

Alex's imagination has transformed his swing set into a time machine. But when his neighbor Becca comes to visit, Alex isn't sure if he should share his secret with her.

Describe the youngest person you know. (descriptive writing topics)

Write a story titled, "The Baby Dragon."  (writing creative stories)

Emmitt is having a great time at the baseball game, except he really wants to catch a foul ball. But when he gets the chance, the decision he makes will surprise more than just him.

This template includes small-letter labels for each part of the letter, including date, salutation, body, and closing. This version also includes examples for each. Students simply write their letter on the lines given.

Describe one thing you're really good at. (personal narrative)

There are lots of fun facts about Polar Bears, Grizzly Bears, and Giant Pandas in this article.

This template includes small-letter labels for each part of the letter, including date, salutation, body, and closing. Students write their friendly letter on the lines.

Would you rather live in a castle, on a houseboat, or on a farm?  Why?  (writing ideas)

While trying to sleep in Grandma's attic bedroom, the main character of this poem is haunted by giant, moving shadows.

Write a story about a bat who couldn't fly.

A child dress as Abraham Lincoln is standing on a stage. Above him is a banner that reads, "School Play".

It's Maddie's first day in a new school, and at recess she can't wait to try out the giant play set. But according to the rules of the playground set by the fourth graders, Maddie's not allowed on it. Now she'll have to decide what's more important, playing by the rules or making new friends.

Imagine you were on a trip to the moon.  Describe the trip. Tell what you see and do. (Science writing journal topic)

This picture shows nervous young girl and her mother in a doorway. The girl is holding a rainbow lunch box.

When Adam wakes up in the middle of the night to scary sounds coming from his closet, he'll need help to find out just what kind of creature is trapped inside.

Paige wants to go outside and play basketball, but her brother Alec is determined to get to the next level on his video game. Paige decides to join Alec and play the game, but what happens when she causes him to lose the game?

Do you think a monkey would make a good pet? Explain why or why not.  (persuasive writing topics)

Describe several ways a person your age can earn money.  (Social Studies writing topics)

Pretend you had $100, but you weren't allowed to keep it for yourself. You have to give it away to a charity or person. Who would you give the money to? What would you want the person to do with it? (creative writing; economics; character ed.)

When a baby deer shows up in the backyard, Sarah wants to treat it like a pet, but when her mom tells her the dangers of interacting with wild animals, Sarah will have to find another way to remember her backyard visitor.

Jackie and Mason want to create original looking pumpkins for the pumpkin painting contest, but they can't come up with any good ideas. That is until a little spilled paint sparks a fresh idea that might be good enough to win the contest.
(Approx. Grade Levels: 2-3)

Laila is excited to wear her new princess costume in the school Halloween parade, but when her teacher announces that all costumes must be handmade, Laila isn't sure if she can make something worthy of the parade.
(Approx. Grade Level: 2-4)

Students imagine that they've woken up and found a dinosaur in the backyard. They write a story to describe the dinosaur and tell what they would do.

Imagine you could have lunch with any celebrity. Who would it be? What kinds of things would you talk about?  (essay idea)

When Ripley is caught spying on his friend Laney, she gets annoyed and yells "Girls rule! Boys drool!" The magic that happens next teaches Laney an unexpected lesson in manners.

Describe your favorite season. Tell what you like to do during that season.

This worksheet has a picture of Nick Allen reading a report. He appears nervous. Write a short paragraph to describe what's happening in the scene.

Students choose three humorous parts of the story and explain why they're funny.

In this craft project, students write tree haiku about zoo animals. Then cut and color to make a "haiku zoo" chain display.

In this fiction story, Lexie has a very special birthday, February 29th. At her birthday party, Lexie, Rose, and their friends celebrate by leaping like frogs. This 6-page file includes a reading passage, comprehension questions, a vocabulary activity, and a writing prompt.

Write a descriptive essay about what, in your opinion, is a big waste of money.

Leslie has to write a report on what she's most thankful for this Thanksgiving, but she can't decide on one thing. But after spending the holiday with her family, she knows exactly what she'll write about.
(Approx. Grade Levels: 3-4)

This single-page worksheet includes 16 different spring writing prompts for students to choose from.

Students reflect on which parts of the story are realistic and which parts are fantasy.

If you could cook any meal for your family, what would you cook? Describe the meal and tell how you would make it.  (writing topic)

Make up a creative story about a girl or boy who goes fishing and catches something very unusual.

Complete the poem by adding exciting adverbs to go along with each action verb.

This worksheet tells what a couplet is and includes space for students to write three couplets of their own.

Brendan doesn't know what to give Mom for Mother's Day, and when his older sister tells him the gift doesn't have to be made or store bought, Brendan is more confused than ever. But Mom and Brendan's common love for bike riding might be the answer Brendan is looking for.

The kids in this picture are having a snowball fight. Color the picture and write a story to describe the scene.

Choose a word to complete each rhyming couplet. Then write your own.

This page has 16 summer-themed writing prompts for students to choose from.

Cinderella's fairy godmother used her magic wand to create a beautiful dress and slippers. Imagine you had a fairy godmother. What kind of magic would she do?

Write an acrostic poem about your favorite animal. Includes a sample acrostic titled, "Tigers."

Use this worksheet to write a spring-themed poem. Then color in the rainbow!

Students are instructed to tell whether or not they think Bunnicula is harmless or a threat to the Monroe family.

Write your own Haiku. This worksheet includes a definition of a haiku and an sample.

This printable has sixteen Halloween-themed writing ideas on a single page.

Write a descriptive essay about a fun fact many people don't know about you.

Students can use this worksheet to practice writing a spring-themed haiku. This worksheet features a flower image that can also be colored in.