Develop students’ writing skills and encourage a healthy dose of self-expression with these third-grade journal prompts!
Journal writing is a great way to help children develop a range of writing skills, from narrative to opinion and persuasive to informational. Keeping a journal also allows students to express their inner thoughts creatively and engagingly, boosting well-being and reducing feelings of stress and worry.
If you’d like to encourage your students to keep a journal or need some handy ideas for ELA assignments, then look no further. We’ve developed 75 fun, inspiring third-grade journal prompts for you to use in your classroom. Check them out below!
- What is your favorite season and why?
- Describe your dream three-course meal.
- Which five famous people would you invite to your next birthday party?
- Which country would you most like to visit and why?
- Name a skill you’d like to learn this year.
- What’s your proudest achievement?
- Who is your best friend, and why are you such good buddies?
- What does the word “family” mean to you?
- Imagine you’re the principal for one day. What changes would you make to your school?
- Write about something that makes you smile.
- Who do you admire the most?
- Write about something that scares you.
- Describe your ideal pet.
- What’s the most exciting thing you’ve ever done?
- Talk about a time when you overcame a challenge.
- Describe your last vacation. Where did you go, and what did you do?
- Would you rather it was sunny or snowy every day?
- How would you describe yourself?
- How would your family describe you?
- Describe your favorite item of clothing.
- What’s your favorite subject and why?
- If you had invisibility for one day, what would you do?
- What’s the craziest dream you’ve ever had?
- If you could only eat one type of food, what would it be and why?
- What makes you laugh?
- Why is it vital to be kind to others?
- Write about a time you were kind to someone.
- What’s your favorite game, and why?
- Imagine you have a time machine. What year would you go back?
- Describe something, or someone, that cheers you up when you’re feeling down.
- What would you do if you could give your home a total makeover?
- Write a review of your favorite book.
- If you feel comfortable, write about three things that worry you.
- Who is your hero? You can choose anyone you want, real or imaginary.
- Imagine you’ve just been elected President of the United States. What five new laws would you pass?
- My happiest memory is
- The first thing I can remember is
- I’m looking forward to
- The place where I feel most comfortable is
- If I could be another person for a day, I’d be
- The thing I like about my school is
- I love my family because
- The thing I want most about myself is
- Do you prefer to be indoors or out in nature? Explain your answer.
- What five qualities do you look for in a friend?
- Describe something you did this week that made someone smile.
- Write a review of your favorite movie.
- How is third grade going so far? Has anything surprised you?
- Write a story in three sentences.
- Imagine you have $1 million but only one day to spend it. What would you do?
- Write about how you felt on your first day of elementary school.
- How do you feel about moving up to fourth grade?
- What’s the best gift you’ve ever received, and why?
- What’s the best gift you’ve ever given someone?
- Describe what you think makes a great teacher.
- What’s your favorite word and why?
- Imagine you’re stranded on a desert island. What supplies would you need? You can choose three items.
- Describe your perfect camping trip.
- Would you rather be a bird in the sky or a fish in the sea, and why?
- Which musical instrument would you most like to be able to play?
- Imagine you were the first person to land on the moon. What would your famous words have been, and why?
- If you were a color, what would you be, and why?
- Write an acrostic poem about yourself. Handy hint: Use the letters in your name to begin every line.
- Which do you prefer, Halloween or Christmas?
- Write about someone who inspires you.
- Imagine what life was like for third graders 100 years ago.
- Imagine what life will be like for third graders 100 years from now.
- Describe what it feels like when you’re happy.
