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Far From Normal

Parenting, Homeschooling & Life Lived Happily Outside the box

Home » Make A Writing Jar (Plus 101 Prompts to Fill it!)

Make A Writing Jar (Plus 101 Prompts to Fill it!)

September 9, 2020 by Krista 120 Comments

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Add some fun and creativity to your writing lessons with this great writing jar! Get kids excited about writing with 101 free fun, thought provoking, and exciting printable writing prompts! 

“Mother, I know how to write.”

That was the response I got from my 13-year-old when I said we needed to incorporate more writing into our homeschool.

He tried to argue that because he is able to physically write letters and form sentences that he doesn’t need writing practice.

I beg to differ.

I’ve never used a specific writing or grammar curriculum because I don’t want writing to be a chore. I want it to be something creative for them, a way to share ideas, something that they can come to enjoy as much as I do…. or at least not dread it.

I wanted to put together something that is easy for me as a teacher, got them going by themselves and was… dare I say… Fun!

“This is actually kind of cool… for school that is.” Was the response I got from Daniel (the 8 year-old)… I’ll take that.

This writing jar is such a fun way to get your kids writing! These prompts are great, creative, and fun! The kids really enjoy getting to pick out of the jar!

The idea here is to have a jar full of writing prompts, the ones I’ve included have a big range. I tried to include thought-provoking, serious, funny and creative,  so that each time they reach into the jar they’ll be challenged with a different kind of writing and style. It helps keep it from being boring and exposes them to lots of different ways of writing. Of course you can fill it with your own prompts… whatever works for your homeschool.

Here’s a few tips for using the writing jar & prompts

#1- “Why? is implied” – There are some prompts like, “What is your favorite song?” Or “Write about someone who inspires you.” Or  “If you could only say 20 words for the rest of your life what would you pick?” They don’t all have “Why?” written after them. I told the boys that if there is one where “Why?” makes sense at the end of it that is part of the question.

#2- Set Standards- For Daniel who is in 2nd grade he is expected to write 5 sentences and make sure to use capital letters and punctuation. For Nathan, in 7th grade, I want to see a well thought out thesis statement or topic sentence, proper use of punctuation and more complex sentences. You can set the standards for whatever level your child is working on.

#3- There are a lot of ways to use this– Some kids need a little help getting started on a daily journal. These are great starting points for entries that only take 15 minutes or so. You can also use them as complete writing projects with a first draft, revisions and final draft. Or just use them as part of your Language Arts a couple of times a week. There’s no right or wrong way to use this idea!

#4- Offer a choice- With my boys I let them pick out 3 prompts and choose the one they like best. That way the one that sparks their interest the most is the one they write about. You don’t have to do this but I find they respond really well to it. YOu could also pick one and if they don’t like it give them the opportunity to draw again.  Or let one child pick for everybody one day and another the next! Whatever will work with your kids. I know mine like that little bit of control in what they’re doing! (They don’t realize that I’m happy with all the prompts!)

#5- Use them once or many times– At first I planned to have them glue the prompt to the top of the page before starting. I decided though that it might be fun to have them write the same responses multiple times so back in the jar they go. The choice is yours. You could also just set the used ones aside until you’re running low and then refill the jar.

I started them each with a new notebook when we started using the jar so that as we go it will be easy to see their writing develop, and go back and read the responses to the prompts!

Onto the writing prompts! 

First here’s a happy little label for your writing jar- I printed it 3×5 size in my printer options and it fits quite well on a 1/2 gallon mason jar. You can print it bigger or smaller depending on your jar size

Writing Jar Label

Click here to download & Print the Writing Jar Label PDF

101 Free printable writing prompts for writing jar

I printed my prompts full sheet size. If you have a smaller jar or want to conserve paper & ink you can choose to print them as a 5×7 the words will still be big enough to see.

I’ve also included a blank page so that if you want to write in your own they can match all the others!

To get all the prompts delivered right to your inbox just fill out the form below! You’ll be able to download all 101 of them, print them out, and get started writing right away!

I hope these are as useful for you and your homeschool as they have been for ours! Come back and let me know which ones your kids enjoy & how the writing jar is working for you!

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Comments

  1. Jennifer Dotson says

    February 13, 2016 at 10:05 pm

    Great ideas! Thnx for sharing! Writing is always a struggle for us,

  2. Krista says

    February 14, 2016 at 10:22 am

    Us too! So I tend to avoid it, this makes it a lot easier!

  3. Alvaro Brown says

    February 15, 2016 at 4:28 am

    Yes. A writing jar sounds about perfect!

  4. amy says

    February 18, 2016 at 10:44 am

    Thank you so much for this! i have been wanting to incorporate more free writing into our homeschool and these are perfect! I started to do some on my own, but nothing as cute and helpful as this!
    Thanks for sharing.

    amy

  5. Krista says

    February 27, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    So glad you’ll be able to use it! My boys have loved using it, it makes writing so much easier! Let me know how it works for you!

  6. Krystal says

    May 19, 2016 at 10:36 am

    Thank you so much for creating this writing jar! My kids are going to enjoy their writing!!

  7. Susan says

    September 28, 2016 at 9:03 am

    Thanks for the free resource. Please check your spelling of “weird” on page 1.

  8. Kendra T. Price says

    November 7, 2016 at 9:47 am

    Thank you so much for this valuable resource! This saves a lot of time and work developing good writing prompts and also gives excellent daily writing practice to my kids!

  9. Kelsey says

    April 26, 2017 at 6:40 pm

    I teach 4th and 5th grade; it’s the end of the school year and my kiddos are getting antsy! I am going to throw these into our Writing station for our Language Arts rotations. I think it will really get them excited about writing in these last few weeks! Thank you!

  10. Krista says

    April 26, 2017 at 11:07 pm

    That’s so great to hear! I can’t imagine having a whole classroom full of kids waiting for summer vacation, hope this helps!

  11. Tiana says

    April 28, 2017 at 10:46 am

    What a wonderful idea

    Tiana=www.fablemoonsays.com

  12. eileen tyber says

    May 24, 2017 at 11:44 am

    I would love to use these writing ideas but I can’t unzip the files. Is it possible to put it all on a PDF file for me. You can email the file to [email protected] Thank you in advance. BTW,I am a
    senior volunteer in the local school . I am not up on this computer stuff.

  13. nancy says

    June 27, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    Thank you so much for the ideas!!!!!!!! Great work!!

  14. Maggie says

    August 2, 2017 at 12:05 pm

    Thank you so much for your help.

  15. Anonymous says

    September 6, 2017 at 10:40 am

    Thank you very much for sharing this idea!!!

  16. Ana says

    November 17, 2017 at 1:48 pm

    Thanks for sharing. I’ll do it on Monday and I tell you.
    Great idea.

  17. Nikki says

    June 3, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    I just downloaded all these writing prompts. I’m very excited. My girls may not when they see my plan for the summer. Each will have a journal for them to write in everyday or at least most days. I have multiple reasons for this. They both need to work on handwriting skills, I want to fight the phrase “I’m bored”, and I want to get them thinking creatively. They are very serious and straightforward and I want them to branch out a bit. I can’t wait to read their responses!

  18. Roseanne says

    September 3, 2018 at 8:51 pm

    Where is the form to fill out to get the writning prompts?? I’m wanting to incorporate journaling into our homeschool. Thanks!

  19. Krista says

    September 4, 2018 at 12:29 am

    There should be a form in the body of the post!

  20. JULIE T PRINGLE says

    January 9, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    I would love to use these writing prompts in my homeschool! 🙂

  21. sites like thechive says

    January 24, 2019 at 8:09 am

    I couldn’t resist commenting. Perfectly ᴡritten!

  22. Amanda Sue Laatsch says

    March 28, 2019 at 12:43 pm

    I keep trying to get the writing prompts sent to my email, but they never show up! I have tried multiple email addresses for the last two days. Help please!

  23. Rachael says

    July 11, 2019 at 8:19 pm

    These will not send to my email address. Please help!

  24. Tanya says

    February 27, 2020 at 10:30 pm

    Thank you, this is a wonderful idea. How do I get the 101 prompts. Thanks

  25. michele hiers gleaton says

    March 30, 2020 at 9:32 am

    I’m looking forward to using these writing prompts with my third graders.

  26. Joan says

    May 25, 2020 at 12:12 pm

    Make a writing jar

  27. Taryn says

    May 26, 2020 at 10:52 am

    This is a great idea! I can’t wait to give it a try with my kids next year! I know they will love it!

  28. Debora says

    May 26, 2020 at 8:59 pm

    This is great!

  29. Rita Jussila says

    May 27, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    I’m a teatcher of 4th graders. I can use this idea in my class.

  30. Raven says

    May 28, 2020 at 11:52 am

    Cant wait to try this!

  31. shelley says

    May 28, 2020 at 12:07 pm

    this could be helpful

  32. Morayma Shaeffer says

    May 28, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    Would love the writing prompts!

  33. Lauren Kalik says

    May 29, 2020 at 10:29 pm

    This is such a great idea. Looking forward to trying this out with my kids. Thank you!

  34. Melissa N Long says

    May 30, 2020 at 2:36 pm

    thank you!

  35. Carrie says

    May 30, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    There is no form to fill out, do you still have this available?

  36. Wendy says

    June 2, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    I can’t find a box to fill out for the download. Thanks!

  37. Dana Carrigan says

    June 2, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    Can I please have the prompts download? I’m not seeing where it is – or a form to fill out.

  38. Kristen says

    June 4, 2020 at 3:36 pm

    Thank you! This will help over summer

  39. Beauty says

    June 7, 2020 at 8:29 pm

    Thanks!

  40. Tricia Fegley says

    June 10, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    Looking forward to trying this out!

  41. Tricia Fegley says

    June 10, 2020 at 6:50 pm

    Can’t wait to try this!

  42. Jen says

    June 11, 2020 at 10:21 am

    Thank you! I’d love to get the writing prompts!

  43. Nicole says

    June 12, 2020 at 10:26 am

    Wow! I can’t wait to use these with my class!

  44. Dorianne Nardi says

    June 12, 2020 at 10:35 am

    Thank you! Can’t wait to make the jar.

  45. Kate says

    June 13, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    Could you please send me the writing prompts for the writing jar?

    Thanks in advance

  46. kate says

    June 13, 2020 at 11:04 pm

    Looking forward to using these. Thank you

  47. Tammy Sweat says

    June 14, 2020 at 7:37 pm

    I love the idea of having a writing prompt jar!! Thanks for Sharing!!!!

  48. Audrey says

    June 15, 2020 at 8:40 am

    This will be very helpful!

  49. Sandy says

    August 11, 2020 at 10:26 pm

    Thank you! I cant wait to see what my kids write about!

  50. Kymber says

    August 27, 2020 at 2:39 am

    Looking forward to this, my daughter loves writing!

  51. Amanda says

    August 27, 2020 at 1:33 pm

    Can I get the writing prompts please!

  52. Sandy Bush says

    August 27, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    Where do I find the prompts? I would love for my kids to use this!

  53. Houda says

    August 28, 2020 at 7:01 am

    I’d love these for our homeschool please!

  54. Stephanie Therese Kimmel says

    August 28, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    I do not see a form to fill out for the writing prompts please send!!!

  55. Christina says

    August 28, 2020 at 4:58 pm

    Thank you

  56. Marium Sarmad says

    August 29, 2020 at 8:06 pm

    Hi

    Great idea . Please can I have the prompts..many thanks.

  57. Ana says

    August 30, 2020 at 12:21 pm

    I would like to have the PDF please 🙂

  58. Kirsten says

    August 30, 2020 at 4:13 pm

    Can’t wait to get the prompts.

  59. jade says

    August 30, 2020 at 7:52 pm

    I would love to use this resource.

  60. Emily says

    August 30, 2020 at 9:49 pm

    The writing prompts would be great!

  61. Phylicia says

    August 31, 2020 at 1:00 am

    This is just what my kids need. We are adding a writing journal to our virtual school schedule. May we please get the prompts?

  62. Phylicia DeBerry says

    August 31, 2020 at 11:02 am

    Can i get the writing prompt please!

  63. Phylicia DeBerry says

    August 31, 2020 at 11:23 am

    May i get the writing prompts please? I would love to use these with my kids.

  64. kathryn byrd says

    August 31, 2020 at 11:56 am

    Thank you!

  65. Kristin says

    September 1, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    How do I get the writing prompts? This sounds so fun!

  66. Kiani Miranda says

    September 2, 2020 at 3:06 am

    Can I get the writing prompts

  67. Jessica Arraya says

    September 2, 2020 at 9:58 am

    I would love the writing prompts!

  68. Shiloh says

    September 2, 2020 at 10:49 am

    I will use these with my own children to keep them busy during the many elearning breaks.

  69. Sue Schroeder says

    September 2, 2020 at 5:44 pm

    I don’t see a form to fill out-I’d like the writing prompts to use for homeschooling-please send to my email-thank you!

  70. Lindsey Beckenhauer says

    September 2, 2020 at 5:57 pm

    Sounds great thank you

  71. sandy Brasington says

    September 3, 2020 at 9:56 am

    Hi, We can’t wait to us this in your homeschool this year.

  72. Geraldine Palm says

    September 3, 2020 at 9:57 am

    Brilliant idea, but cant find the form for the 101 prompts to fill out

  73. sandy Brasington says

    September 3, 2020 at 11:19 am

    I never got the 101 writing labs for the jar Can anyone help

  74. Homeschooling Momof2 says

    September 3, 2020 at 5:07 pm

    Can I please get the 101 writing prompts? Thank you for all the amazing things that you have created as well as what you will be creating in the future! You have some outstanding ideas 🙂

  75. col says

    September 5, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    Would love to try this out with my class

  76. Cathy says

    September 8, 2020 at 9:52 pm

    We are looking forward to receiving your writing prompts! Thank you!

  77. Emily Mancini says

    September 9, 2020 at 10:29 pm

    Hi! How do I get the printable prompts? I didn’t see a link, only for the jar label. Thank you so much!

  78. Kassi says

    September 9, 2020 at 10:42 pm

    This is so exciting! Going to use these for daily morning work!

  79. Melissa Pierscinski says

    September 10, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    Thanks!!

  80. K says

    September 12, 2020 at 2:01 pm

    Can’t wait to use this with my 4th Grader!

  81. Louise says

    September 13, 2020 at 12:09 am

    We need a bit of a spice up for writing, so thank you for sharing.

  82. Louise says

    September 13, 2020 at 1:05 am

    Dana Carrigan: Did you receive the writing prompts? I, too, am unable to download.

  83. Nichole says

    September 13, 2020 at 10:48 pm

    Looking forward to these journal prompts.

  84. Jules says

    September 14, 2020 at 11:05 am

    I’m assuming I need to sign up for your email subscription to get these prompts but I can’t find “the form” to fill out. 🙁

  85. Erin says

    September 14, 2020 at 12:05 pm

    Thanks! Exactly what I needed to change up our writing routine!

  86. Danae says

    September 14, 2020 at 12:46 pm

    I’m not showing a form to fill out. Would it be possible to email me the files? I think my girls would do really well with these! [email protected]

  87. Rhoda says

    September 14, 2020 at 6:41 pm

    Our first year homeschooling! The girls are used to journal writing every morning at Montessori. So we are following the routine! Can’t wait to receive some new prompts!

  88. adi says

    September 14, 2020 at 11:02 pm

    Great ideas for journal writing.

  89. Jennifer Bushman says

    September 15, 2020 at 11:42 am

    This sounds great! What do I need to fill out to get the prompts?

  90. Alyssa says

    September 15, 2020 at 5:49 pm

    Hi there,
    I’d really love to have access to these prompts, but can’t seem to see where to snag them. Thank you!

  91. Kelsey Gutierrez says

    September 16, 2020 at 7:47 am

    Thank you for these prompts. They will really help my 2nd grader.

  92. Melissa McClain says

    September 16, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    Thank you so much!! 🙂

  93. Stephanie says

    September 17, 2020 at 1:31 am

    I would the writing prompts please

  94. Rachel says

    September 17, 2020 at 1:01 pm

    Can’t wait to try this!

  95. devin says

    September 17, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    Would love these!! How do I sign up?

  96. Jennifer says

    September 17, 2020 at 8:38 pm

    What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!!

  97. Brianna Bitner says

    September 18, 2020 at 12:58 pm

    Writing Prompts, Please

  98. TL Graham says

    September 19, 2020 at 7:54 am

    Love this idea, thank you.

  99. Jen M says

    September 22, 2020 at 11:50 am

    I am not seeing where to fill out the form to get the prompts emailed, can you help me out please.

  100. Emily Nunes says

    September 22, 2020 at 6:19 pm

    I do not see the form to fill out to get the download of these awesome prompts. SOS!

  101. krystin says

    September 27, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    Can I please be sent a copy of the writing prompts?

  102. Joan says

    October 9, 2020 at 10:01 am

    The form below the big picture of the writing prompts is apparently only partly functional. I’ve filled it out twice, about 12 hours apart. Each time, when I submitted my request I was taken to a page that said my request was received. But neither request was fulfilled. I used Firefox last night and Microsoft Edge this morning. Both times I didn’t receive anything in return. Additionally, there is no obvious way to contact anyone to report problems with this blog.

  103. Casey Bean says

    May 22, 2021 at 12:20 pm

    Thank you!

  104. Adelia Almira says

    January 25, 2022 at 6:32 am

    That is great. Thank you for sharing

  105. Tami Guthrie says

    January 27, 2022 at 2:55 am

    I tried to purchase your bundle but it would not let me; please help!

  106. Robin says

    March 8, 2022 at 9:55 am

    Please send me the free 101 writing prompts. Thank you!

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