Journal+Prompts

Journal 1 Discuss your least favorite class of the day. What makes you dislike it so much? What would make it be a better class.

Journal 2 If you could travel anywhere in the world or in the universe, where would you go why?

Journal 3 Free write on any topic of your choice

Journal 4 What are some of the things you do well? Write about the thing or things that you are best at.

Journal 5 Write about the qualities you look for in your friends. Tell me what you and your best friend would do for fun.

Journal 6 Write about a time when you felt that you were treated unfairly by your teachers, parents or friends.

Journal 7 How do you find solutions to problems you face? Do you take a long walk by yourself? Or call your best friend on the phone and talk? Write about how you find solutions to your problems.

Journal 8 Being an American means different things to different people. What does being an American mean to you?

Journal 9 If you could change anything about your life what would it be? Would you be younger? Older? Would you live somewhere else? Tell what you would change about your life if you could and why.

Journal 10 Write about a topic of your choice.

Journal 11 What makes you panic? Why? Tell me about a time when you felt this way.

Journal 12 Write 10 items you would include in a time capsule for people who will live 100 years from now. List a reason for including each of the items.

Journal 13 What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Journal 14 If you had 3 wishes what would they be and why?

Journal 15 What would you do if you were rich?

Journal 16 Imagine you own a restaurant. Tell the name of your restaurant. Explain what the restaurant looks like, who works there, and what you serve.

Journal 17 If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be? Describe the pet and how you would take care of it.

Journal 18 If you could have lunch with any famous person who would it be? What would you talk about with this person?

Journal 19 How old were you 5 years ago? Describe the things you can do now that you could not do then.

Journal 20 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 power?

Journal 21 Write about a topic of your choice.

Journal 22 List 15 things you want to do in your lifetime. Tell why you want to do each thing.

Journal 23 One day the teacher was home sick and they asked you to be the substitute. What kind of teacher would you be? What would your classes do all day?

Journal 24 Invent a monster and describe it. Tell where it lives, what it eats, and what it does.

Journal 25 Describe the last time you were really angry. What caused your anger? How did you expresss it? How do you now feel about your reaction?

Journal 26 What have you learned or accomplished so far in ESL class? How do you feel about writing? What bothers, worries or disappoints you?

Journal 27 Choose one of the following sentences as the opening for a short story (true or fictitious) and write the story: 1. Why did it have to happen to me? 2. I was scared to tell my parents. 3. I wish I hadn't said it. 4. It was a secret between my father and me.

Journal 28 Make up ten fortunes for fortune cookies.

Journal 29 You have been given the power to talk to animals. Which animal would you like to talk to? What questions would you ask?

Journal 30 Write about what you think you will be like and what you will be doing ten or twenty years from now.

Journal 31 Write on a topic of your choice.

Journal 32 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is a good place to live. True or False? Why?

Journal 33 Describe the place where you feel or have felt most at home. What makes it a comfortable place for you?

Journal 34 What would you do if you were the president of the United States?

Journal 35 Write about a topic of your choice.

Journal 37 What is something you dislike about yourself?

Journal 38 What would happen if there was no television? Why would this be good? bad?

Journal 39 What would happen if everyone lived in space? What type of houses would theylive in? What type of clothing would they wear? What type of food would they eat? How would they travel?

Journal 40 What is your favorite song or music group? Why? How do you feel when you listen to the song or the music group?

Journal 41 What is the best birthday present you have ever received/or would want to receive?

Journal 42 What would happen if people never co-operated? Why do you think it is important to co-operate?

Journal 43 What would you do if you saw a friend or classmate cheating-- report it, confront the friend, tell the teacher, or do nothing? Why?

Journal 44 If you could only take three people with you on a trip around the world, who would you take and why? What are three places you would want to go?

Journal 45 What do you think about ghosts? Do they exist? Have you ever seen one?

Journal 46 What do you think makes a happy family? How could your family be happier?

Journal 47 What do you think about students having to wear school uniforms? is it good or bad? What would you change if you could?

Journal 48 What are some of the rules you have to follow in your house? Why do you think that your parents/guardians give you rules?

Journal 49 When someone picks on you or someone else what do you do? How does it make you feel?

Journal 50 Write about a topic of your choice.

Journal 51 If you could be anyone in the world, who would you want to change places with for a day? Why? Tell me how you would spend your day.

Journal 52 Who is the smartest person you know? What makes them so smart? Why do you think they know about? What could they teach you?

Journal 53 Write a letter to a teacher you have or had in the past. Tell them how you have changed and what you have learned.

Journal 54 Tell me what you plan to do or hope to do during the summer.

Journal 55 How many people do you have in your family? Tell me about each of them. Who is your favorite family member?

Journal 56 What is your favorite Disney character or movie and why is it your favorite?

Journal 57 Everything you remember about this morning...

Journal 58 If I could be doing anything right now, I'd be... Why?

Journal 59 What confuses me about math is...

Journal 60 My responsibilites at home are... My responsibilities at school are... Type in the content of your page here.

1 Discuss your least favorite class of the day. What makes you dislike it so much? What would make it be a better class. 2 If you could travel anywhere in the world or in the universe, where would you go why? 3 Free write on any topic of your choice 4 What are some of the things you do well? Write about the thing or things that you are best at. 5 Write about the qualities you look for in your friends. Tell me what you and your best friend would do for fun. 6 Write about a time when you felt that you were treated unfairly by your teachers, parents or friends. 7 How do you find solutions to problems you face? Do you take a long walk by yourself? Or call your best friend on the phone and talk? Write about how you find solutions to your problems. 8 Being an American means different things to different people. What does being an American mean to you? 9 If you could change anything about your life what would it be? Would you be younger? Older? Would you live somewhere else? Tell what you would change about your life if you could and why. 10 Write about a topic of your choice. 11 What makes you panic? Why? Tell me about a time when you felt this way. 12 Write 10 items you would include in a time capsule for people who will live 100 years from now. List a reason for including each of the items. 13 What is your favorite holiday? Why? 14 If you had 3 wishes what would they be and why? 15 What would you do if you were rich? 16 Imagine you own a restaurant. Tell the name of your restaurant. Explain what the restaurant looks like, who works there, and what you serve. 17 If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be? Describe the pet and how you would take care of it. 18 If you could have lunch with any famous person who would it be? What would you talk about with this person? 19 How old were you 5 years ago? Describe the things you can do now that you could not do then. 20 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 power? 21 Write about a topic of your choice. 22 List 15 things you want to do in your lifetime. Tell why you want to do each thing. 23 One day the teacher was home sick and they asked you to be the substitute. What kind of teacher would you be? What would your classes do all day? 24 Invent a monster and describe it. Tell where it lives, what it eats, and what it does. 25 Describe the last time you were really angry. What caused your anger? How did you expresss it? How do you now feel about your reaction? 26 What have you learned or accomplished so far in ESL class? How do you feel about writing? What bothers, worries or disappoints you? 27 Choose one of the following sentences as the opening for a short story (true or fictitious) and write the story: .................1. Why did it have to happen to me? .................2. I was scared to tell my parents. .................3. I wish I hadn't said it. .................4. It was a secret between my father and me.

28 Make up ten fortunes for fortune cookies. 29 You have been given the power to talk to animals. Which animal would you like to talk to? What questions would you ask? 30 Write about what you think you will be like and what you will be doing ten or twenty years from now. 31 Write on a topic of your choice. 32 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is a good place to live. True or False? Why? 33 Describe the place where you feel or have felt most at home. What makes it a comfortable place for you? 34 What would you do if you were the president of the United States? 35 Write about a topic of your choice. 37What is something you dislike about yourself? 38 What would happen if there was no television? Why would this be good? bad? 39 What would happen if everyone lived in space? What type of houses would theylive in? What type of clothing would they wear? What type of food would they eat? How would they travel? 40 What is your favorite song or music group? Why? How do you feel when you listen to the song or the music group? 41 What is the best birthday present you have ever received/or would want to receive? 42 What would happen if people never co-operated? Why do you think it is important to co-operate? 43 What would you do if you saw a friend or classmate cheating-- report it, confront the friend, tell the teacher, or do nothing? Why? 44 If you could only take three people with you on a trip around the world, who would you take and why? What are three places you would want to go? 45 What do you think about ghosts? Do they exist? Have you ever seen on?46 What do you think makes a happy famliy? How could your family be happier? 47 What do you think about students having to wear school uniforms? 48 What are some of the rules you have to follow in your house? Why do you think that your parents/guardians give you rules? 49 When someone picks on you or someone else what do you do? How does it make you feel? 50 Write about a topic of your choice. 51 If you could be anyone in the world, who would you want to change places with for a day? Why? Tell me how you would spend your day. 52 Who is the smartest person you know? What makes them so smart? Why do you think they know about? What could they teach you? 53 Write a letter to a teacher you have or had in the past. Tell them how you have changed and what you have learned. 54 Tell me what you plan to do or hope to do during the summer. 55 How many people do you have in your family? Tell me about each of them. Who is your favorite family memeber?

1. If you won the lottery, what would you do? 2. Why do you think some people don't exercise their right to vote? 3. What is your favorite Disney character or movie and why is it your favorite? 4. My full name and how it was decided on 5. My dream house 6. I am the one who.... 7. First Grade Memories 8. In the left corner, behind the filing cabinet..... 9. The Holiday I Wish We Had 10. The day I went to the circus..... 11. Yesterday I.... 12. Games I like to play 13. I believe.... 14. I can..... 15. Sunshine makes me feel... 16. The cartoon I like the most on Saturday mornings.... 17. The most amazing thing I've ever seen is... 18. Hospitals 19. Summer Memories 20. My Dad 21. My Mom 22. My Grandma 23. My Grandpa 24. If I could be doing anything right now, I'd be... 25. What if... 26. My shoe 27. Well, Doctor, it's like this.... 28. Colors 29. My most embarrassing moment 30. Inside the box with the big red bow is... 31. The Midnight Visitor 32. Television 33. Money 34. Pizza 35. Everything I remember about this morning 36. What I would like to receive at Christmas 37. Snow 38. Eyes 39. If I was President of the United States... 40. Mysteries 41. Bugs 42. Rainbows 43. Dreams 44. Babies 45. Friendship 46. Violence 47. In 20 Years I'd Like to Be.... 48. Favorite memories 49. My family 50. dogs 51. cats 52. It makes me blush when... 53. Cowboys 54. It was so funny when... 55. What my mom must have been like as a baby... 56. Good things about me 57. It would be funny if.... 58. Mother Goose 59. When I get to high school, I will.... 60. The knight lifted his sword amidst the dragon's flaming breath... 61. My talents 62. The best book I ever read... 63. The book someone should write is.... 64. What confuses me about math 65. The Conversation between Mr. Triangle and Ms. Circle 66. Secrets 67. What I'd like to give people for Christmas 67. My responsibilities 68. Cars 69. How It Feels to Win/Lose 70. I'm thankful for... 71. The valentine I'd like to send/receive 72. kindness 73. mirrors 74. The first thing I remember.... 75. The door was locked and I couldn't find the key.... 76. Inside the cave 77. My hero 78. No one would believe me when.... 79. I wish I was there when.... 80. What My Best Friend and I Have in Common 81. Something people usually don't notice about me is... 82. If I was a crayon.... 83. My Life as a Pencil 84. What Do You Mean the Next Stop Is Hell? 85. Who Filled the Pool with strawberry Jello? 86. How to eat an apple 87. How to dribble a basketball 88. How to do a somersault 89. How to drink with a straw 90. How to snap your fingers 91. How to jump rope 92. How to make a paper airplane 93. How to whistle 94. You are a small animal at a historical event. Tell what is happening. 95. What an alphabet journal entry 26 sentences long with each sentence starting with the alphabet letter as it appears in sequence. 96. Make a list of all the words that are related to or describe heat. Write a story about Texas in the summer using these words. 97. Places you like 98. Places you dislike 99. TV shows you like 100. TV shows you dislike 101. sports events you enjoy 102. sports events you don't enjoy 103. automobiles you like 104. things you have never owned, but like. 105. things you would never own and never want 106. foods you like to eat 107. food you strongly dislike to eat 108. restaurants you like and dislike 109. sounds you like and dislike 110. smells you like and dislike 111. places you have never been to, but want to go to 112. people you don't know, but would like to know 113. things you have never done, but would like to do (conduct an orchestra, etc.) 114. What if school was in session 6 days a week? 115. What if teachers were paid as much as professional baseball players? 116. What if our school classess only went until noon each day? 117. What are all the things you can think of that come in pairs? 118. List things that give protection, such as a turtle's shell, seat belt, etc. 119. Describe a friend who is NOT in the room. 120. I Did Something Really Nice 121. Observe at least 5 things you see happen on your way home from school. Write about them. 122. Write the directions to a favorite place (home, restaurant, ice cream shop, etc.) from the school parking lot. 123. Imagine that a close friend has lost something very valuable. It might be a ring, a pet, a key--something that must be found. How would you help him/her find it? What would you do? Would you be able to find it? 124. Write about a time when you were "sweating it", a time when you were very nervous. 125. How a classroom sounds 126. how a puppy feels 127. how a flower smells 128. how a sunset looks 129. the baby was sad because..... 130. how an ice cube tastes 131. What might a curb and a car tire talk about? 132. What might a shoe and a sock talk about? 133. What might a cup and saucer talk about? 134. What might thunder and lightning talk about? 135. What might a cloud and the wind talk about? 136. A typical day in the school cafeteria 137. Things to Do When You Are Bored 138. What are the "in" places in town? 139. Write about an "ideal day". 140. A Time I Was in Trouble 141. The Saddest Day of My Life 142. What I Would Change About My School 143. What I Would Change About My World 144. The Perfect Pet 145. What Makes a Person Nice 146. My Biggest Gripe 147. What I Like About Being a Kid 148. Where Would I Go in a Time Machine 149. What Courage Means to Me 150. A Special Gift in My Life 151. My Relationship with God 152. How to tie a shoe 153. How to eat an apple 154. How to do a somersault 155. How to whistle 156. How I would like to have changed this school year 157. Tell about a time when someone has been kind to you 158. Tell about your favorite childhood book and explain what you like about it 159. Explain how to make your favorite sandwich 160. Why do some Christians seem ashamed to share the gospel with others? 161. Describe dinner time at your house 162. Give advice to a new student who will start school at Lexington next year 163. I'll never forget the day __(teacher's name) did__ 164. Your mom desires your respect and attention. Are there places you can take her for an evening to show her your appreciation? 165. Some of the richest times in your life can come from your quiet thinking and/or praying alone time. Discuss these times in your life. 166. How do you think a person finds out God's plan for his/her life? 167. Review the last movie you saw. 168. Describe the BEST ice cream and tell why you feel that way 169. What is an experience you would hate to repeat? 170. What is the ideal age to be? Why? 171. Do you accept yourself as you are, or would you like to be someone else? 172. Answer this question," Have I in any way done something that has hurt my parents?" 173. What chores at home do your parents expect you to do? 174. What part of the newspaper do you read first, and why? 175. "A wise person learns from the mistakes of others." Do you agree? 176. "How I think will determine how I live." Do you agree or disagree? Explain 177. "If I'm not as close to God as I used to be, who moved?" 178. What are your plans for the summer? 179. Describe a typical day for you in the summer 180. Describe a summer thunderstorm 181. Describe the plight of an animal caught in a forest fire. 182. Tell abut a ride on the most exciting amusement park ride you have ever ridden. 183. Write about an Old West shoot-out in the streets of a western town 184. How might an astronaut feel who discovers that he/she will have to return to earth early because of a rocket malfunction? 185. Describe the actions of a person who has just hit his or her thumb with a hammer 186. Describe the feeling of being chased in a dream 187. Tell about the moment when a person realizes that he or she has forgotten to do a major assignment that is due today. 188. Describe the actions of an athlete in the final moments of a close contest when he or she makes a winning (or losing) shot, play, move, or effort. 189. Describe the action between a predator and its prey at the moment of attack 190. Describe the motions of a ballet dancer. 191. Describe a headache to someone who has never had one. 192. What is a rainbow? 193. Why are leaves green? 194. When and how did Israel become a country? 195. What classes should you take in high school? 196. How are the professional sports teams doing in this city? 197. Has a parent ever told you that you waste your time? How could you manage time better? 198. What is the best place to get pizza in your town? What makes it so good? 199. What do fuchsia and mignonette have in common? 200. How is a skiff like a lugger? 201. What is the same about a coracle and a raft? 202. How many ways can you serve a potato? 203. What are some uses for peach pits? 204. How can your town or church honor senior citizens? 205. Are you planning to go on any missions trips with your church youth group? 206. What games can you play with 3 people? 207. Name as many uses for ice cubes as you can. 208. What can you do to recycle old calendars? 209. What does this mean: "I was furious but I held my tongue." 210. Explain this idiom: "After the accident, things were touch and go." 211. How do you think this idiom got started: "Will you lend me a hand?" 212. Choose a fairy tale. Imagine how it might read as a news article in today's newspaper. 213. You are doing morning announcements. Write an announcement about a surprise party for your coach. 214. It isn't fair.... 215. Secrets 216. Write a note to a teacher 217. Write about some compliments people have given you 218. Write about some compliments you have given others RECENTLY ! 219. Write about the taste of peanut butter, how it smells, and how it looks 220. Create a menu from a fictitious restaurant and describe the entrees. 221. It was as clear as a bell 222. He (or she) was as stubborn as a mule. 223. He (or she) is as quiet as a mouse. 224. What would you do with a polyglot? 225. What would you do with a bairn? 226. What would you do with a dirigible? 227. How could a vector be harmful to a rector? 228. Could a lapidary play leapfrog in a lyceum? 229. Could you keep ice cream in a calabash? 230. "A good name is more desirable than great riches." Prov.22:1 231. "There is a time to plant and a time to uproot." Eccles. 3:2 232. The day of the Lord is close at hand 233. The dispute over comic books. Are they good or bad? 234. Should grocery stores continue to throw away good food each day? 235. How would you feel as a passenger in a space ship on the way to the Moon? 236. How can you make friends? 237. What farm machines have you ever seen? Describe them. 238. How should we raise money to support a middle school newspaper? 239. How do you like frozen food? Tell about some you have tried. 240. Everyone feels rejected biy family or friends at some point. Tell about one such time. 241. Do you ever have trouble doing your history homework? Tell about it. 242. Tell how you could have avoided some accident, bump, or bruise. 243. Pick out any appliance in your home and write about how it works 244. I remember the stiffness in my jaw from my last dentist's appointment when he.... 245. Why I use my particular brand of toothpaste every morning 246. Are horses obsolete? 247. Dating on a dime 248. How do scientists and police now work together? 249. How do "clothes make the man" or "clothes make the woman" ? 250. Catching those "few extra winks" in the mornings 251. Do you ever "eat on the run"? Explain. 252. How to pack efficiently for a trip 253. The struggle to eat neatly while in the car or on a plane 254. The art of babysitting 255. The faces in the subway (train, plane, bus) are stamped by the heel of life 256. Could your dad have been a pirate? What characteristics does he have that would fit one? 257. How do you keep your teachers happy? 258. Describe Sundays at your house.

1. Did you ever stick up for someone? 2. Describe your neighborhood bully. 3. Did you ever hitchhike? 4. Did you have a paper route? 5. Write about a babysitting experience. 6. Describe a great fort you built or a great game you played as a child. 7. Write about an enemy who eventually became your friend. 8. Did you ever fall through ice? 9. Write about a time you cheated and were caught. 10. Write about a privilege you earned. 11. How did you get along with your cousins? 12. Write about the stray animals you brought home. 13. Describe an event that made you realize you were growing up. 14. Did you ever send away for something that turned out to be a disappointment? 15. Did you ever prove yourself to someone older? 16. What was it like to go shopping with your grandma? mom? dad? friends? 17. Write about a time you performed in front of an audience. 18. Write about a difficult decision you had to make. 19. Write about a time you found out something about yourself. 20. What did you do last summer? What did you do the summer you were ten? 21. Write about learning to skate, to ride a bike, to climb a tree, or to turn a cartwheel. 22. Describe learning to drive. 23. Did you ever get lost in a strange town? 24. Were you ever locked in or out? 25. Did you ever witness a birth? 26. Write about getting fired or quitting. 27. What was it like to spend your first night away from home? 28. What was it like to come back home after a long vacation? 29. Write about a disappointment. 30. Write about something minor that turned into a big deal. 31. Write about something that flopped. 32. Write about a time you had to communicate with someone you couldn't understand. 33. Did you ever win or lose a contest? 34. Write about something you desperately wanted as a kid. 35. Did you ever see a ghost? 36. Did you ever run away from home? How far did you get? 37. Write about the best attic or basement you've ever been in. 38. Did you ever know someone who had "everything"? 39. Write about a time as a child when you played in one of the following: a treehouse, a cornfield, a construction site, a junkyard, an abandoned house or barn, a stream, a cemetery, a pasture, railroad tracks. 40. What did you do to amuse yourself as a child when you had to wait for a long time? (for instance, at the doctor's or dentist's office) 41. Did your mom or dad ever make you wear something you hated? 42. What was the earliest you ever got up in the morning? the latest you ever stayed up? 43. Write about a time you were talked into something and regretted it. 44. Were you ever in a helicopter, limousine, race car, hot-air balloon, submarine, or horse-drawn carriage? 45. Did you ever forget something extremely important? 46. Write about an experience in a hospital. 47. Were you ever accused of something you didn't do? 48. Write about a disastrous trip or vacation. 49. Were you ever give a responsibility you couldn't handle? 50. Were you ever in a fire, flood, tornado, or hurricane? 51. Did you ever have a secret language? 52. Write about becoming disillusioned with someone you admired or respected. 53. Describe the best concert you ever attended. 54. What was the best nickname you ever made up for a friend? 55. Did you ever become friends with someone much younger or much older than you? 56. Did you ever make friends with a wild animal? 57. Write about a window you broke or something valuable you lost. 58. Did you ever climb onto the roof when your parents weren't home? 59. Did you ever save someone from getting hurt? 60. Did anyone ever save you from getting hurt? 61. Did you ever catch fireflies? crickets? frogs? snakes? 62. Write about a time when you tried to help and ended up making things worse. 63. Did you ever break an important promise? 64. Write about moving to another town or city. 65. Describe an outdoor game you used to play in the summertime. 66. Write about picking apples or berries. 67. Write about building sandcastles or mudpies. 68. Did you ever meet a famous person? 69. Describe a club you organized or belonged to as a kid. 70. Writing about mowing the lawn, burning leaves, or weeding the garden. 71. Describe a car or bicycle accident you were in. 72. Write about being a misfit. 73. Write about a day spent in another country. 74. Write about a terrifying nightmare. 75. Was there a haunted house in your neighborhood? 76. Write about a time you outsmarted someone. 77. Write about a time you had to wait for something you wanted. 78. What was it like to get glasses or braces? 79. Write about being friends with your brother or sister. 80. Write about going shopping for new clothes. 81. Did you ever try to be something you really weren't? 82. What kind of adventures did you have in the bathtub? 83. Write about job hunting. 84. Write about wearing high heels or neckties for the first time. 85. How did you find out the truth about Santa Claus? 86. Write about seeing the ocean or the mountains for the first time. 87. Have you ever had a broken bone? 88. Write about being in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, or some other organization. 89. Did you ever turn someone in or tell on someone and feel bad about it later? 90. Write about going back to school after summer vacation. 91. Describe your playground or vacant lot. 92. Write about a time your parents embarrassed you. 93. Describe learning something from a friend. 94. Describe teaching something to a friend. 95. Have you ever taken a long trip alone? 96. Write about a book or a movie that made a strong impression on you. 97. Write about a time when you gave someone good advice. 98. Describe the best time you ever had in your life. 99. Write about the funniest thing that ever happened to you. 100. Write about a time you embarrassed your parents.