Second Grade Writing Prompts
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Children in second grade are just beginning to develop their writing skills. By second grade, students should start expressing opinions , recounting narratives, and providing step-by-step instructions in their writing. These second grade writing prompts capitalize on age-appropriate topics to spark students’ creativity and engage them in the writing process.
Narrative Essay Writing Prompts
In their narrative pieces, students should recount a real or imagined event or sequence of events. Their writing should include describing details that indicate thoughts, actions, or feelings. They should conclude their narrative in a way that provides a sense of closure.
- Kindness Counts. Write about a time that someone did something kind for you. What did they do and how did it make you feel?
- Special Day. Describe a special day that you and your best friend shared. What made it so memorable?
- Left Out. Have you ever felt left out? Write about what happened.
- Diaper Days. Write about something you remember from when you were a baby or toddler.
- Rainy Day Fun. It’s raining outside and your best friend is over to visit. What do you do?
- Happy Memories. Write a story about one of your happiest memories.
- Switch-a-roo. Describe what it would be like to switch lives with anyone in the world for a day. Who would it be and what would you do?
- School Sleepover. Imagine that you’re trapped in your school alone overnight. Tell what happens.
- Fly-on-the-wall. You wake up and discover that you’re a fly for the day. What do you do?
- Right and Wrong. Tell about a time when you were tempted to do the wrong thing, but you chose to do the right thing instead.
- Scary Stories. Write about a time when you were scared.
- Menu Madness. Imagine that you’re in charge of the school lunch menu for the week. What meals would you include?
- Wild and Wacky. Imagine your class is on a field trip to the zoo and one of the animals starts talking to you. What does he tell you?
Opinion Essay Writing Prompts
Second graders should write opinion pieces that introduce their topic and provide reasons to support their opinion, using words such as because and and to connect their reasoning. The paper should include a conclusion sentence.
- Fun and Games. What is your favorite game to play? Why is it better than other activities?
- Bedtime Tales. What is the best bedtime story your mom or dad has ever read to you? What made it the best?
- Travel Stops . If you could choose to stay in a tent, an RV, or a fancy hotel while traveling with your family, which would you choose and why?
- Playground Fun. What is the very best piece of equipment on your school’s playground? What makes it the best?
- Exotic Pets . If you could choose any wild animal for a pet, what would you choose and why?
- Study Choice. Your teacher has asked you to decide what topic the class studies next. What do you pick and why?
- Favorite subject. Which school subject is your favorite and why?
- Yucky or Yummy. Write about a food that you like but most people don’t. Why should people give it a chance?
- Play Time. Should your school give kids a longer recess time? Why or why not?
- Digital or Print. Which is better for reading , a printed book or a tablet?
- Allergies. Are you allergic to anything? Why is it important for people to know about your allergy?
- Drinks. Do you like milk? Soda? Lemonade ? Name your favorite drink and give three reasons why it’s your favorite.
- Best Day. What is your favorite day of the week? Write an essay including three reasons why that day is the best.
Expository Essay Writing Prompts
Expository essays inform the readers about a specific topic. Second grade students should introduce their topic and provide facts, definitions, or steps to develop their point.
- School Day . You have a younger sibling who hasn’t started school yet. Tell him or her about a typical school day.
- Class Pet. Your class gets to choose a classroom pet for the year. Name an animal that you think would make a good choice and explain its needs (such as food, habitat, temperature).
- Favorite Food. What is your favorite food? Describe it as if no one else has ever seen or tasted it.
- Seasonal Fun. Pick a season, like summer or fall, and describe your favorite activity during that season.
- If You Build It. Think of a time when you saw something being built (like a house, a new road, or even a snowman). Explain the stages of the building process.
- Famous Firsts. Think about a famous first like the first person to walk on the moon or the first person to sail around the world. Explain why this first was so important.
- Famous People. Choose a famous person and explain what he or she did to become famous.
- Past Parties. Think of the best party you’ve ever attended and explain what made it the best.
- Favorite Film. Choose your favorite animated film of all time and explain why you love it.
- Bedtime. Explain why it’s important to get plenty of sleep every night.
- Funny Pet Tricks. Describe an unusual trick that your pet can do.
- Holiday Happenings. Select a popular holiday and explain why or how people celebrate it.
- Smelly Tale . Every place has different smells, good or bad. Describe two or three smells you associate with your home or school.
Research Writing Prompts
Students should also produce research-based writing by reading books on a topic and writing a report, recording science observations, or using provided materials to answer a question.
- Turtle Power. Why do turtles have shells?
- Digging Dinosaurs. Choose your favorite dinosaur and write a report including interesting facts about it.
- Under the Sea. Learn more about one interesting animal that lives in the ocean. Write a paper about what you learned.
- Places for People. Choose a unique home (such as an igloo or a mud hut) and explain why it's suited for the environment in which it is found.
- Space. Choose one of the planets in our solar system and give five interesting facts about it.
- Science. Write an observation from a recent science lesson such as how plants grow or what makes up the water cycle.
- Famous people. Write a report about someone you are studying in your current history lessons.
- How Is It Made? Choose an everyday object (like LEGO bricks or toilet paper) and find out how it’s made.
- Desert Dwellers. Pick an animal that lives in the desert and write 3-5 interesting facts about it.
- Creepy Crawlies . What is the difference between arachnids and insects?
- Where in the World? Choose a state or country to research. Include 3-5 facts about the place in your report.
- What’s the Difference? Choose two similar animals, such as a horse and a mule, a crocodile and an alligator, or a leopard and a cheetah. Explain how to tell them apart.
- Sleep Habits . Some animals sleep standing up. Bats sleep hanging upside down. Birds sleep in trees. Choose an animal, bat, or bird and explain how they sleep without falling.
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1st and 2nd Grade Writing Prompts Bundle | Informational Opinion Narrative
2nd Grade Writing Prompts | Informational, Narrative, & Opinion Writing BUNDLE
Informative Writing Graphic Organizers, Prompts, Lessons, Rubric 2nd Grade W.2.2
Also included in: 2nd Grade Reading Writing Language Curriculum - ELA Common Core Standards
Second Grade Writing Prompts Bundle - Opinion, Narrative, Informational, How To
Informative Writing Graphic Organizers, Prompts, Lessons, Rubric 2nd Grade W.1.2
Also included in: 1st Grade ELA Lesson Plans Year Long - All ELA Common Core Standards
Second Grade Informational Writing Prompts For Differentiation
Also included in: 2nd Grade Writing Prompts | Informational, Narrative, & Opinion Writing BUNDLE
1st, 2nd, 3rd Grade Writing Prompts for Narrative, Informative, Opinion Writing
Informative Writing Prompts, Templates & Anchor Charts for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Grade
Also included in: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Grade Writing Prompts for Narrative, Informative, Opinion Writing
SPANISH Writing Prompts for Second Grade Informational Writing
Turkey Informative Writing Prompt and Craft Activity for November 2nd 3rd Grade
Also included in: FALL Math Games & Center Activities 2nd 3rd Grades
Second Grade Informational Writing Prompts and Worksheets
- Easel Activity
Also included in: Second Grade Writing Prompts Bundle - Opinion, Narrative, Informational, How To
2nd Grade Morning Work - 2nd Grade Daily Writing Prompts - Back to School
Also included in: Morning Meeting + Morning Journal Prompts - 2nd Grade Back to School Bundle
Paragraph Writing How to Write a Paragraph of the Week for 1st and 2nd grade
Also included in: Paragraph Writing of the Week - Differentiation Bundle for Grades 2-3
Paragraph Writing How to Write a Paragraph of the Week 2nd 3rd 4th Grade Prompts
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SECOND GRADE EXPLICIT OPINION, NARRATIVE, AND INFORMATIVE WRITING CURRICULUM
Differentiated First Grade Informational Writing Prompts
Text Based Writing (4th & 5th Grade - Informative & Opinion Essays)
Informational Writing Unit SECOND GRADE
Also included in: Writing Bundle: Personal Narrative, Informational, Opinion & Fiction 2ND GRADE
1st and 2nd Grade March Writing Prompts - St Patricks Day
Also included in: 1st and 2nd Grade Writing Prompts Bundle | Informational Opinion Narrative
Informative Writing Graphic Organizers, Prompts, Lessons, Rubric 3rd Grade W.3.2
Also included in: 3rd Grade Reading Writing Language Curriculum - ELA Common Core Standards
Spring Writing Prompts for Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade
Also included in: Writing Prompts for Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade BUNDLE
Third Grade Writing Prompts Bundle - Opinion, Narrative, Informational, How To
First Grade Writing Prompts Bundle - Opinion, Narrative, Informational, How To
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Ideas, Inspiration, and Giveaways for Teachers
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70+ Fascinating Informative Essay Topics for Kids and Teens
Tell them what you know.
Informative essays are a chance to show what you know. They’re all about informing the reader, without trying to persuade or offer an opinion. Informative writing can include how-to process essays, biographical writing, an in-depth analysis of a topic, research papers, or compare-and-contrast essays . Just remember to stick to the facts, and be clear and descriptive. These informative essay topics offer something for all interests and ages.
How-To Informative Essay Topics
Social studies informative essay topics, science informative essay topics, pop culture informative essay topics.
Teach your reader the steps or process to:
- Cook a recipe
- Set a table
- Make a quilt
- Change a tire
- Start a recycling program
- Play a game
- Build a birdhouse
- Plant a garden
- Make and care for a compost pile
- Care for an animal
- Start a business
- Catch a fish
- Tie a necktie
- Train for a marathon
- Prepare a campsite
- Make a campfire
- Clean a room
- Wrap a gift
- Plan a party
- Kick a bad habit
- Use social media responsibly
- Manage time effectively
- Make a budget
- Describe the life of a world leader.
- How has the role of women in the workplace changed in the last hundred years?
- Explore the current path to becoming an American citizen.
- What are some of the possible ways the pyramids were built?
- Describe a time period in history.
- How does one country’s economy affect another country?
- What is the difference between socialism and communism?
- Explore the benefits and drawbacks of legalizing drugs.
- Describe the political system in a foreign country.
- Explore the causes of a specific war or armed conflict in history.
- How is a new law passed in the United States?
- Give an overview of the history of any country, state, or city.
- Describe the three branches of American government.
- Explain how the American judicial system works.
- Describe the evolution of fashion throughout history.
- Describe a science experiment, including the hypothesis, process, and conclusion.
- Explain what it means to lead a healthy lifestyle.
- What is the relationship between calories and fat?
- What is the physics behind a bicycle?
- How do plants convert sunlight into energy?
- Describe any element from the periodic table, including its makeup and uses.
- What is the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?
- Describe the life cycle of any animal.
- What are the benefits of recycling?
- Describe the life of a prominent scientist.
- Explain what E = mc 2 means.
- Describe any disease, including its symptoms and treatments.
- Why do leaves change color in the fall?
- Explain the difference between climate and weather.
- Describe a specific ecosystem, including the plants and animals that live there.
- Describe the history of video games.
- What are recent trends in the video game industry?
- Describe your favorite superhero.
- Explain the motivations of any fictional villain.
- Describe the life of your favorite celebrity.
- Explore the development and growth of a main character in any book series.
- Describe the process of making a movie or TV show.
- Tell the story of any band, including its founding, successes and challenges, and breakup (if applicable).
- Describe the life of a famous artist.
- Explore the history of Disney World (or any theme park).
- Plan the perfect fantasy football league team.
- Describe popular trends and fads from any decade.
- Explore the history of the Olympics.
- Describe the music of a generation and how it reflected that time.
- Explain the history of the internet.
What are some of your favorite informative essay topics? Come share your ideas in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .
Plus, check out the big list of essay topics for high school (100+ ideas).
Jill Staake is a Contributing Editor with WeAreTeachers. She has a degree in Secondary English Education and has taught in middle and high school classrooms. She's also done training and curriculum design for a financial institution and been a science museum educator. She currently lives in Tampa, Florida where she often works on her back porch while taking frequent breaks for bird-watching and gardening.
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Elementary Assessments
51 Great Informational Writing Prompts
Encourage students to share what they know using these interesting informational writing prompts.
Informational writing prompts help students to explain what they know about a topic.
These prompts offer yet another way for teachers to assess how well students grasp ideas.
In addition to reducing writer’s block, these prompts deepen students’ understanding of academic concepts, sharpen writing skills, and encourage reflection on big ideas.
So activate knowledge of various subjects using these powerful informational writing prompts for students.
Informational Writing Prompts
1. Tell the characteristics of your favorite animal.
2. Describe one of your parent’s occupations.
3. Share your typical school day.
4. Look around the room, and find something blue. Describe the object and how it’s used.
5. What characteristics make someone a hero?
6. Describe your favorite holiday. What special traditions are connected with this special day?
7. Write a state guide for tourists detailing the highlights they should visit.
8. Explain how to play your favorite game. Include the rules, how to win, and what equipment you need to play.
9. Describe safety measures people should take when riding a bicycle.
10. What steps are essential when preparing for back-to-school?
11. Explain the water cycle.
12. Share the different phases of the life cycle of a butterfly. Add a sketch that represents each stage.
13. Tell the benefits of bringing lunch to school instead of eating in the cafeteria.
14. Write a how-to manual titled, “How to Reach Your SMART Goals.”
15. Thinking of your favorite birthday, what presents did you receive? How did you celebrate it?
16. Describe a time when you were disappointed, and explain what lesson you learned from the experience.
17. Explain the qualities necessary to become a good leader.
18. What precautions should you take to keep safe in the middle of a natural disaster?
19. Compare and contrast a church and a school.
20. What is the first memory you have? Describe it in detail – who was there? What happened? How old were you?
21. Choose two different grade levels. Tell how they are different.
22. If there were no cell phones, computers, or tablets, what would a typical day be like?
23. Explain the similarities and differences between the Internet and radio.
24. Describe the importance of learning a second language.
25. Share the life cycle of a human.
26. Explain the importance of music in the culture of your family’s heritage. How has it shaped your life and personality?
27. Think of a species of an endangered animal. What are the pros and cons of trying to save it?
28. What are the responsibilities of the school nurse?
29. State the benefits of adopting a pet.
30. Summarize a significant recent world event.
31. Describe what your life will look like in ten years.
32. What is the history of your home town? When was it founded and by whom? What makes it special?
33. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of having a smartphone.
34. Explain what it means to have a healthy diet.
35. Explain why leaves change their color in autumn.
36. Write about the main types of natural disasters that occur in your country or state. How do citizens try to prevent too much damage from one?
37. What are the responsibilities of your teacher?
38. When responding to informational writing prompts, what elements should a good response have?
39. Describe your morning routine.
40. What preparations should students make so that the first week back to school is successful?
41. Describe all the steps of the scientific method.
42. Compare and contrast indoor recess to regular outdoor recess.
43. Give step-by-step directions from your house to the nearest grocery store.
44. Describe the duties of the principal.
45. Explain the steps for completing one of your favorite art projects.
46. Share your after-school routine.
47. Describe the duties of your classroom helper job.
48. Why is it important for people to recycle?
49. Compare and contrast two seasons of the year.
50. Explain how text features help readers comprehend a book better.
51. Tell how to kick a bad habit.
52. What are the advantages of trains as transportation compared to airplanes?
Final Thoughts: Informational Writing Prompts
Now you have a ready-supply of informational writing prompts to use during writer’s workshop .
For tips on assessing these prompts, see Common Core English Language Arts Standards .
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Teaching informational writing in second grade.
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2nd Grade Informational Writing
See how to teach nonfiction writing through writers’ workshop in a second grade classroom using anchor charts and a few recommendations for different mentor texts.
Second grade writing is amazing! As students develop from kindergarten and first grade, you see So. Much. Growth. When I taught second grade, I saw how much they were capable of and loved reading the wonderful stories they wrote. Our Writers Workshop 2nd Grade units provide print and teach lesson plans for daily writing instruction. Informational writing lesson unit plans are in unit 4. Check it out by clicking here, Writers Workshop Second Grade Unit 4 .
Informational Text Writing Prompts or Topics
I often get asked about the types of writing prompts we suggest for informative writing. During writers workshop, I never give students a topic they will write on. Instead,during our informational writing unit, students explore ideas that interest them.
Research tells us that the best way to get students engaged in their own writing is by allowing them to select the topic they have the most energy to write on. So on a daily basis we ask students to be responsible for what they will write about.
But even second graders need help to get the ideas flowing! We can start those ideas in a few ways.
Nonfiction Mentor Texts for Informational Writing
Introduce students to nonfiction books to start informational writing. We provide a list of mentor texts that are mentioned throughout the writing unit so all the work is done for you! On day one, students start generating ideas lists, and let me tell you… they are experts on ALL sorts of things.
National Geographic Readers: Cheetahs by Laura Marsha
One thing I really like about the National Geographic readers is they not only have interesting facts about interesting animals, they are also filled with great examples of text features. These grade level texts are the perfect informative writing mentor texts.
Another way to help students gain ideas is through mini-lesson on where writers get ideas. Students brainstorm a list of topics they can write about. We practice this important skill with each form of writing regardless of the grade. Self-selection of a topic is important work.
Informational Writing Graphic Organizers
Often times when students begin to write informational texts, they have a hard time going beyond the topic sentence. Through mini-lessons, we introduce this graphic organizer to help students know if they have enough factual information on that specific topic to write on.
Sometimes students write on a subject where they are using their background knowledge other times research may have been involved. Regardless, we want to be sure we have a power topic to write on.
Informational Writing Anchor Charts
Expository writing is unique, so having a few anchor charts to support these young writers is important. Not only will students use the mentor texts we have read as a reference book for these informational text features, we will also provide a few visuals to help the students learn words such as comparisons, captions, maps, and cutaways. These academic vocabulary posters are part of the writing curriculum.
Informational Writing Rubrics and Assessments
As we launch a new writing unit, we ask students to select a writing goal. We create an anchor chart and as a whole group students place their name on where they want to focus their writing attention. As we move through the writing unit, students may wish to adjust their goals or I may ask the student to move on to a new writing focus if they have mastered their previous goal.
Coincidentally (no really… it is by design) the writing goals align with the writing rubric. We don’t want any surprises. At the end of the writing unit of study, the whole class is assessed with a final writing piece and the rubric is used again. This is a great way to see writing growth.
2nd Grade Informative Writing Example
Let’s take a look at this nonfiction book written by a second grade student in Colorado!
Throughout our units, we provide anchor charts to support student writing. One of the second grade standards is to know and use text features. What better way to understand this skill than to use it in our writing?
They are even adding captions! “A fox chasing a bird”.
You can see this young writer latched onto the comparison anchor chart and included it in this writing example.
Sweet little illustrations, too!
This second grade teacher added a couple of extra pages for a diagram and glossary. What a great idea!
During writers workshop, teachers should be conferring with students daily. If students are not with you, they are writing independently and should stay actively engaged throughout the entire writing time. If you’d like to know more about how I confer with students, click here ! There is some kindergarten writing on the post!
- Nonfiction Writing in Kindergarten
One more thing! With all of the writing going on in your classroom, it can be difficult to keep it organized. I discovered the perfect solution for student writing. Click to learn more!
- Writing Folder Organization
Informational Writing Unit Curriculum
If you would like to have the writing mini-lessons, anchor charts, rubrics and more, we have these informative writing units just for you! You can find these unit by clicking:
- Writers Workshop Writing Through the Year: Unit 4 for 2nd Grade Informational Writing
- Writers Workshop Writing Through the Year: Unit 4 K-1 Grade Informational Writing
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- Writing , Writers Workshop , Uncategorized , Blog Post
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Second Grade Informational Writing Prompts
These second grade informational writing prompts are no prep and perfect for grade 2 information writing lessons or writing centers. They are suitable for whole group and small group writing lessons. There are 5 different templates and 30 pages of worksheets.
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These informational writing prompts are a must-have for teaching explanatory writing. These informative writing prompts are no prep and perfect for 2nd grade information writing lessons or writing centers.
This is a year’s worth of worksheets that includes student friendly and seasonal topics (e.g. Earth Day, Spring, Winter, St. Patrick’s Day)!
These informational writing worksheets are common core aligned to the grade 2 writing standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
Note: These worksheets can be used for third graders who are working below their grade level.
What is included in these second grade informational writing prompts:
30 pages of informative writing prompts/worksheets (25 ready to go and 5 blank templates).
The prompts are in 5 different template styles. Some are more scaffolded/picture based, whereas others have more lines, for more advanced writers.
Everything I know about…
- The Rainforest
- The human body
- Thunderstorms
- Everything I know about_______ (Blank Template)
All I know about…
- Outer Space
- Flower life cycles
- All I know about_______ (Blank Template)
Fun facts about…
- Fun facts about_______ (Blank Template)
What I have learned about…
- St. Patrick’s Day
- What I have learned about_______ (Blank Template)
All about…
- All about_______ (Blank Template)
When/how to use these second grade informational writing prompts:
- Whole group writing lessons
- Small group work (literacy and writing centers)
- Writer’s Workshop
- Independent writing practice
- Early finishers
- Morning work
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JournalBuddies.com
Journal Buddies Jill | January 26, 2023 January 25, 2023 | Journal Prompts & Writing Ideas
30 Excellent Informational Writing Prompts
30 Informational Writing Prompts to Help Students Learn About the World Around Us — A journal isn’t only just a safe place for a student to reflect on their thoughts and feelings – it can also be a powerful tool that enables a student to learn more about what’s happening in the world around them.
Whether a student has already learned about a given topic or has to research it in order to find the answer to a question, journaling encourages kids to pay attention to important details and explore the “why” behind the facts they’ve been taught.
In these informational writing prompts, students are encouraged to research the topics presented and to form their own thoughts and reflections based on the facts they’ve learned.
As they consider everything from what it would be like to experience an earthquake to the issues that parents must deal with to run functional households, kids will learn that seemingly simple experiences in life are always a little more complex than they may look from the outside—and that it’s important to examine each experience from all sides before deciding how you feel about it.
Use these informational writing prompts in your lesson plans with middle school grades and beyond to expose your students to new ideas and new ways of thinking.
These ideas are a fun way to get your learners in all grade levels looking at and writing about the everyday events going on around them. Take a look now and enjoy!
30 Informational Writing Prompts for Students
- In the autumn, the green leaves on the trees change to a variety of different colors. What causes this to happen?
- Think about the fact that newspapers are becoming less popular these days and write about what places people get their current events news from instead.
- If you could meet any famous person in the world, who would it be and what would you want to talk to them about?
- What would it be like to live in one of the coldest cities in the world?
- What would it be like to experience an earthquake?
- Why are firefighters and police officers often called heroes?
- What are some measures that kids can take to be safe on the Internet?
- What hobby can you think of that would make a good occupation when you grow up?
- Think about all the steps that might be involved in getting a bag of shiny, red apples into a produce display at the grocery store. Write about the process from the point the apples become ripe on the tree, through the processing of the apples (How do they get so shiny? How do they get in the bag?), through to the grocery display.
- What do you think it would be like to be the head of a family? What kinds of issues must you deal with as a parent?
- What do you think the most enjoyable part of being a parent would be? Do you think your parents would agree with your answer?
- Talk about some ways that you could make your own diet healthier.
- Think about one small business and one large corporation and write about their differences and similarities .
- Write about the responsibilities that a store manager might have.
- Write about why it is important to take care of and preserve the environment around us.
- Write about the steps that you, personally, can take to preserve the environment.
- Reflect on why it’s important to be kind to animals and write about the reasons you come up with.
- Think about how your life would be different without computers and write about it.
- Think of one major problem that is facing our world today. What steps could be taken to solve it? How long do you think it would take to solve the problem?
- Write about a time when you noticed two people arguing about something and were able to understand where both people were coming from. Why couldn’t the people in the argument see the other person’s side? What could have been done to make them understand one another better?
- Why is it important for people to learn more than one language? If you could learn any other language, what would it be and when would you use it?
- In our part of the country, sometimes we have to worry about [earthquakes/tornadoes/hurricanes/etc.]. What do you think it would be like to live in an area of the country where there were [earthquakes/tornadoes/hurricanes/etc.]?
- Some people are currently working on a way for regular tourists to be able to visit space. Would you ever want to visit space? Why or why not?
- Write about one type of technology that didn’t exist 15 years ago. What do you think life would have been like then?
- Imagine a new technology that you think we will have 15 years from now. How would that new innovation change our lives?
- Why is it so important for kids to go to elementary school and high school? Do you think that school should be required by law?
- Do you think that it’s important for people to go to college? Why or why not? Do you want to go to college?
- People often feel very strongly about their political views and the political candidates they support. Why do you think this is?
- Write about a current event that’s going on in your city. What is the significance of this event? Write about the effects it will have on people in your community.
I hope you enjoyed these informational writing prompts and use them to help your writers — in fourth grade, 5th grade, and up — explore the writing process and improve their writing skills!
Related Links & Resources
- Essay Topics for Kids
- Explanatory Writing: 22 Writing Prompt Ideas for Students
- 30 Topic Sentence Idea Examples (by grade level)
- Opinion essay prompts
- Argumentative Essay Topics
- How to Teach Informational Writing
Use these informational writing prompts and topics in the blog post shown below to inspire your writers to write a journal entry, create a composition, or simply practice their informational essay skills. However you use them, be sure to encourage your kids to have fun!
If you enjoyed these Informational Writing Prompts for Students, please share them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. I appreciate it!
Until next time, write on…
Sincerely, Jill journalbuddies.com creator and curator
Tap to See Prompts 35 Essay Topics for Kids Explanatory Essay Writing Topics for Students 30 Expository Writing Prompts 4th Grade ------------Start of Om Added --------- @media (min-width: 320px) and (max-width: 767px) { .inside-right-sidebar { display: none !important; } } Featured Posts
Tap to See Prompts 35 Essay Topics for Kids Explanatory Essay Writing Topics for Students 30 Expository Writing Prompts 4th Grade Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7-8 Grade 9-12 All Ages ------------End of Om Added --------- Tags All Ages , Informational , Informational Writing , Informational Writing Prompts , journal , journaling , student , students , write , writing , writing ideas , writing prompts , writing prompts for kids div#postbottom { margin-top: 12px; } Featured Posts
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Mentor Texts for Informational Writing
Below is a list of just some of the MANY great texts available. Hopefully a few of these engaging reads helps jumpstart the informational writing unit in your classroom!
1. Gail Gibbons – Bats & Spiders
When it comes to nonfiction, Gail Gibbons is an amazing resource! Not only does she research and write her science and social studies based books, she is the illustrator too! Her bright illustrations are kid friendly. Students love her books! Because of this, her books make a great informational writing kickoff! Click on the images below to view some student favorites!
In both of these books, Ms. Gibbons shares many facts students will find fascinating (or creepy). After sharing one (or both) of these informational read alouds, teachers can have students write out facts they learned about these creepy creatures.
Why not turn the fun topic of bats and spiders and creepy crawlies into a whole fun unit? Check out the following Lucky Little Learners resources to keep the writing going on this super fun topic!
Our October writing prompts pack and our Bats and Spiders Lapbook are the perfect companions for a unit on bats and spiders.
Download Resources
2- National Geographic Kids Readers
Kids LOVE National Geographic readers. The kid friendly text, as well as amazing photos are sure to captivate your young writers. (These books even include subject themed jokes!) With tons of books to choose from, there is a topic for each student to research! (After the shared read aloud and modeling of course!)
3- Who Were the Wright Brothers? (& other Who Was Books)
Part of informational writing in 2nd grade is biography writing. Learning about the brothers who pioneered the first airplane is sure to be engaging for students!
4- Wild Weather Books
Another super engaging topic for students is storms and other weather events. These Scholastic books are written at a kid friendly level and include engaging photographs. Reading these is sure to prompt several discussions and story telling. Students will want to research these topics further!
5- Magic Tree House Fact Checkers
These books are AH-MAZ-ING! They go along with a fiction Magic Tree House Chapter book and provide the facts of the tine period Jack & Annie visited. The book below coincides with Magic Tree House #2: Knights at Dawn. It would be so fun to read Knights at Dawn, and then follow it up with the Fact Checker. Next, write an informational report with students about the time period!
6- Let’s Read & Find Out Series
The Let’s Read & Find Out book series usually starts with a question, such as “how are mountains made”. Then, as they read students will find out facts and information about the topic. This book covers how mountains were formed and could make for a fun lesson on earth’s formation, volcanos and fossils!
7- Writer’s Toolbox
If it seems like your students need more direct instruction on informational writing (and many other types of writing) then this might be the book for you! This book offers tools (tips & tricks) for students to gain informational writing confidence.
Student Writing Samples
Displaying samples of proficient writing is a great way to transition from hearing how authors share informational writing in mentor texts, to students becoming the authors themselves!
Take a look at how to use these student writing samples as a visual rubric to help struggling writers .
Buy Bundle on TpT
More Tips for 2nd Grade Writing Instruction
Hopefully these mentor texts and 2nd grade writing samples help get your informational writing unit off the ground! For some tips & tricks to teach other writing units, check out the following resources.
Opinion Writing
14 Mentor Texts to Teach Opinion Writing
Narrative Writing
Teaching Narrative Writing in the Primary Classroom
Happy Teaching!
Do you focus on what type (informative, narrative, opinion) of writing and once students have a good grasp of it move to another type or do you just use all types when you see fit?
Hello Erica, This is a fantastic question! We have a suggested scope and sequence that our team of teachers created as a suggestion for when they introduce different types of writing in their classrooms with success. I hope this helps! 1st GRADE S&S 2nd GRADE S&S
Where do I purchase this hibernation writing?? I searched your store on TPT. Maybe I am overlooking.
Hello Ashley! The Hibernation writing is a part of our Writing Bulletin Board Pack. You can find it in our shop HERE . Another option is to purchase an All Access Membership for unlimited access to all of our resources. If that interests you, view membership options HERE . I hope that helps and have a great day!
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