Energising Smart Starters - Writing Prompts

Smart Starter activities change "extra" moments in a classroom into teachable moments. They are designed to take short amounts of time. However, Smart Starters are NOT short on substance. The Smart Starters in this book are packed full of great writing ideas to encourage students to practise and polish different writing modes.

Kick Off a New Unit
The starters are grouped by writing modes. As you introduce a new type of writing, have students practise that mode as they journal. For instance, start off your unit on expository writing with Who Has the Right? or Now, That Is Deep.

Spark a Longer Lesson
Any of these short activities can be expanded. A starter may inspire your students to develop questions or examples along the same lines, expanding the quick write into a full-blown writing project.

Review a Concept
Dust off those rusty skills with a Smart Starter. For instance: Have your students been away from persuasive writing for a while? Have them review what they know about persuasive techniques with It's My Right! or I Believe.

Charge-Up Thinking Skills & Ignite Creativity
The Smart Starters are not only for English classes. Use them anytime to stimulate minds. Doing a Smart Starter will sharpen thinking processes and challenge brains. In addition, Smart Starters work well as starting points for students to create other similar questions and problems.