Your classroom doesn’t need a holiday to feel festive. Fairy tales, legends, and magical adventures can spark just as much excitement—and maybe even more! Best of all, they work beautifully for schools and communities that prefer inclusive celebrations.

This year, we turned our school into an Enchanted Forest of learning—hallways full of story characters, classrooms buzzing with creativity, and a building alive with imagination.

In the Classroom: Seven Steps to Fairy-Tale Magic

1. Create a Story World
Line tables and shelves with classic and fractured fairy tales. Hang a Fairy-Tale Word Wall and an Elements of a Fairy Tale chart. Add cozy touches—a “Fairy-Tale Nook,” soft lights, or a castle-door entrance—to invite readers in.

2. Kick Off with Curiosity
Start with a simple poll: Do you like fairy tales? Let students post sticky notes under ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and revisit the chart later. Then, read a traditional story, such as Cinderella, and compare it with a modern version.

3. Explore Global Tales
Show how similar stories appear in every culture: Yeh-Shen (China), Rhodopis (Egypt), Rough-Face Girl (Algonquin). Mark them on a world map and discuss what lessons they share.

4. Add a Novel or Read-Aloud
Choose a chapter book that expands on familiar themes—Ella Enchanted, Rump, Fairest, or Wand. Talk about how each re-imagines the classic patterns.

5. Bring Stories to Life

• Fairy-Tale Collages or Mini Book Reports

• Micro-Puppet Shows: Making finger puppets and creating short “micro-shows” instantly engages even reluctant students. A finger puppet feels less intimidating than a full skit, and the small size adds just enough challenge and novelty to make it exciting and achievable. Kids love writing quick scripts and performing for classmates!

• Build a Fairy House or design a family crest

• Write an original fairy tale and illustrate it

6. Celebrate in Style
Invite families for a fairy-tale event day. Include Fairy-Tale Bingo, a candy-house STEM challenge, or a Shrek movie screening where everyone hunts for story references.

7. Reflect on the Lessons
Ask: What surprised you? How did your opinion of fairy tales change? Revisit your opening poll and talk about the growth.

School-Wide Magic

Once your classroom is shining, take the idea bigger:

• Decorate-a-Pumpkin Contest: Families create story characters at home. Classes vote; winners get Book Fair gift certificates.

• Book Character Parade: Costumes from any storybook instead of Halloween themes.

• Fairy-Tale Movie Afternoon: Each class watches a movie and identifies characters, setting, magic, and moral.

• Morning Trivia: Daily fairy-tale or nursery-rhyme question—first ten correct answers win a small treat.

• Write-a-Fairy-Tale Contest: Winners earn a book and a social-media spotlight.

Add hands-on creativity to keep the community involved:

• Castle Cutouts: Use old cardboard boxes to create castle photo props. They look fantastic on social media and make a perfect backdrop for your school’s outreach photos.

• Dragon Drawing Contest: Share “How to Draw a Dragon” tutorials and let students design their own dragons. Display the winning (or all!) dragon artworks on your school’s website or social media—no faces required.

• Fairy House Challenge: Host a nature-based contest where students build fairy houses using found materials. Or take it one step further—partner with a local garden club to establish or refresh a school garden, then add fairy houses for students and visitors to enjoy.

Simple changes like these build community and turn literacy into celebration without adding to teacher workload.

Extend the Story

When students are hooked, dive deeper with these classroom favorites:

• Teach a Fairy Tale Unit (Upper Elementary) – puppet shows, fractured tales, collage projects, and book reports.

• Write a Fairy Tale Project – step-by-step templates for crafting original stories.

• Fairy Tale Word Wall – vocabulary that enriches every writing lesson.

• Fairy Tale Bingo – perfect for review or a literacy-center game.

• Writing About Dragons & Write a Dragon Story – a natural next step into fantasy writing.

Final Thoughts

Fairy tales teach timeless lessons, spark imagination, and connect across cultures. Whether you start with a single story or transform your entire school, you’ll watch students light up with creativity—and rediscover a little magic yourself.

Explore the full Fairy-Tale and Dragon Collection in the shop and bring “Once Upon a Time” to life in your classroom today.

The post Bring Fairy-Tale Magic to Your School appeared first on Help Writers Grow.

Fall is one of the richest seasons for writing in the classroom. The word walls are filling with seasonal vocabulary, the phenology chart shows signs of the season from student observations, and scarecrows smile from the bulletin boards. The classroom feels alive—busy with color, sound, and ideas.

This is the perfect time to pull in nonfiction writing, too. Choose subjects that kids are already seeing everywhere—apples, pumpkins, turkeys, and crows. These icons of fall show up in decorations, on bulletin boards, and even in the grocery store. Because they’re so familiar, they flow seamlessly into classroom instruction, making it easy to keep students engaged while meeting academic goals.

Step 1: Build Curiosity

Before diving into reading passages, spark interest. Show photos of turkeys or crows. Ask students what they already know, and chart their ideas together. A short video clip from YouTube can help students see these animals in the wild—many kids are surprised to learn turkeys still live outside of farms! Record student “wonderings” as questions to guide the next steps.

Step 2: Read and Take Notes

Give students reading passages at a level that matches their needs. Encourage them to underline or jot down interesting facts as they go. Guide them to look for details about diet, habitat, needs, and unique features. This step sets the foundation for report writing.

Step 3: Create Reports and Diagrams

Students can use their notes to write simple reports about turkeys or crows. Invite them to add labeled diagrams, drawings, or even full-color illustrations to match their reports. This blends writing with creativity and helps solidify their understanding.

Step 4: Compare and Contrast

Once both animals have been studied, pull the class together to compare. Use a T-chart or Venn diagram to highlight similarities and differences. Depending on student needs, this can be a whole-class charting activity or an individual written assignment. Push thinking further with paragraph writing, and support success by offering sentence starters.

Step 5: Blend Nonfiction and Fiction

Children write more confidently when they’re allowed to use the same vocabulary in multiple formats. After writing factual reports, let them use their animal knowledge in creative writing. Students can write adventure stories starring turkeys, crows, or even their whole families. This is where your Thanksgiving adventure stories, pumpkin writing, and apple writing all connect—one theme, many writing possibilities.

Step 6: Share and Celebrate

Encourage students to present their work by creating short videos or recordings of their reports. These make perfect share-outs for parents during fall conferences. Posting class charts with circled “most important facts,” adding new words to a seasonal word wall, and celebrating student wonderings all keep the learning visible.

Make It Easy with Ready-to-Use Resources

Seasonal writing doesn’t have to be one more thing to plan. These resources help you create a print-rich, engaging environment that flows seamlessly into your instruction—and helps fill in your lesson plans with ease:

• My Thanksgiving Adventure (Grades 3–6)

• Fall on the Farm (Primary)

• Writing About Apples (1–4)

• Writing About Pumpkins (1–4)

• Writing About Turkeys and Crows (1–4)

• Phenology Wall

• Four Seasons Word Walls

• Thanksgiving Acrostics Poetry

And don’t miss our free Thanksgiving Writing Pack, which includes a Turkey Adventure finish-the-story, a leaf pattern, a Thankful Journal, and a short text on the real first Thanksgiving. Grab it here to give your students extra writing opportunities all season long.

The post Writing About Animals in Fall appeared first on Help Writers Grow.

When November rolls around, it’s easy to fall into the same Thanksgiving routine in the classroom: students jotting down lists of what they’re thankful for. While gratitude is a wonderful practice, upper elementary students are capable of so much more. They’re ready for writing activities that spark imagination, stretch creativity, and build classroom community.

Think about it: this time of year, kids are buzzing with holiday energy. Instead of trying to rein it in, channel it into writing projects that are playful, meaningful, and memorable. From silly story prompts to heartfelt class projects, here are writing ideas that go far beyond “I’m thankful.”

Creative Story Prompts

Grandma Gets Abducted by Aliens
Students walk into Grandma’s house on Thanksgiving Day, expecting the smell of pie and turkey. Instead, the kitchen is in disarray and Grandma is gone. Aliens have taken her because they’ve heard—even in space—about her famous green bean casserole (or whatever legendary dish your class chooses). Students can launch into a rescue mission, decide if Grandma fights back, or even discover that she has already taken over the alien ship. In the end, everyone might still end up back at the table together.

Lost in the Cornfield
Students wander into a corn maze and quickly realize they’re lost. Just when fear begins to set in, they notice the scarecrows are pointing the way out. Are the scarecrows alive? Are they trying to help? What happens next is up to the writer.

The Great Turkey Caper
Turkeys escape the farm—or maybe show up at school—and chaos follows. Students can write a wild adventure story, or tie the prompt into research by creating an informational turkey report. Add a fun twist by letting students debate Benjamin Franklin’s idea that the turkey should have been the national bird.

Poetry & Quick Writes

Thanksgiving Acrostics
Have students use words like THANKFUL or TURKEY as the base for their acrostic poems. Encourage them to go beyond simple words and use descriptive language.

Thanksgiving Vocabulary Project
Instead of an alphabet wall, students create a Thanksgiving Vocabulary Poster divided into sections such as:

• Clothes (sweater, boots, jacket)

• Food (cider, turkey, dressing, gravy)

• Family (mom, sister, uncle, cousin)

• Things I Love (my dog, favorite book, game night)

• Fall in Nature (crunchy leaves, acorns, squirrels gathering seeds)

• Colors of Fall (red, orange, golden yellow, cranberry)

• Adjectives (brisk, cozy, crispy)

• Fall Items (scarecrow, hay bale, rake, blanket)

This project can connect home and school by encouraging students to brainstorm with their families. Once finished, students can hang their posters on the side of their desks or on the wall to serve as a personalized word bank. Teachers can also have students present their posters in small groups to share ideas. This one project can fuel weeks of writing—poetry, narratives, or even non-fiction pieces.

Thankful Paper Chains
Students write one note of thanks on each strip of paper, then link them together into a colorful chain. Chains can decorate the classroom, or students can take them home to share with family.

Notes of Gratitude
Have students write short thank-you notes to classmates. Collect the notes and distribute them just before the holiday so every child receives a bundle of kindness.

Seasonal Letters
Students write letters to family members, community helpers, or service members. This adds purpose to their writing and helps build empathy.

Interactive & Collaborative Projects

Thanksgiving Bingo
Play a fall- or Thanksgiving-themed bingo game. Each square can contain writing prompts, vocabulary, or even silly classroom challenges to keep students laughing.

Design a Word Search
Students create Thanksgiving-themed word searches for classmates, reinforcing spelling and vocabulary in a fun way.

Apple & Pumpkin Tie-Ins
Connect writing with math and science by having students describe apple or pumpkin activities. For example, pair a pumpkin seed-counting activity with a descriptive paragraph or poem.

Signs of Fall Nature Journaling
Take students outside to observe seasonal changes. They can sketch leaves, note wildlife behavior, or write about the weather. Even a short journaling session builds observation and descriptive writing skills.

Thanksgiving Food Fun

Lift-the-Lid Food Display
Create a bulletin board or class book where each Thanksgiving dish is a flap. Under the flap, students can write silly recipes, short stories, or even math word problems.

Collaborative Feast Display
Work together to design a giant class Thanksgiving table. Students can draw or add clipart dishes, then tuck their writing underneath. The display becomes a celebration of creativity and community.

Community-Focused Ideas

Brighten Up the Community
Students create “Signs of Fall” artwork to deliver to a local hospital or assisted living facility. A simple project like this can bring joy to people who may feel lonely during the holiday season.

Thank You Projects
Students write letters, poems, or create artwork to honor firefighters, police officers, or service members. This project helps children see how gratitude extends beyond their own families.

Teacher Note

“Thanksgiving is a complicated holiday. While many classrooms celebrate it with food and gratitude, it’s important to remember the history behind the tradition. The Pilgrims’ first harvest meal with the Wampanoag was possible thanks to extraordinary leaders like Squanto and Chief Massasoit, and it did bring a time of peace. But that peace did not last forever, and many Native American families today see Thanksgiving as a Day of Mourning rather than a celebration. Sharing even a simple version of this perspective with upper elementary students honors truth without overwhelming them.”

Wrapping It Up

Thanksgiving writing doesn’t have to be predictable. With creative story prompts, collaborative projects, and community-centered writing, your students can practice important skills and have fun at the same time. This November, challenge them to go beyond “I’m thankful” and watch their imaginations soar.

And don’t forget—you can grab my free Thanksgiving Writing Packet filled with story starters, a thankful journal, and more to help you jumpstart these ideas in your classroom.

The post Thanksgiving Writing Ideas appeared first on Help Writers Grow.

Your classroom doesn’t need a holiday to feel festive. Fairy tales, legends, and magical adventures can spark just as much excitement—and maybe even more! Best of all, they work beautifully for schools and communities that avoid holiday celebrations. You can make your classroom feel magical, full of learning opportunities, and rich with reading and writing—without needing a single seasonal tie-in.

Fairy tales have been around for thousands of years, long before Walt Disney gave us glass slippers and talking animals. These stories served real purposes: teaching lessons, passing down traditions, and sparking imagination. Kids may only know the Disney versions, but you can open their eyes to the bigger, richer world of fairy tales.

Here are fresh, creative ways to bring fairy tale magic into your classroom—any time of year.

Writing About Dragons & Fairy Tales

If your students love fire-breathing adventures, start with dragon stories. Read aloud a favorite dragon tale and then let them write their own. Our Writing About Dragons and Write Your Own Dragon Adventure resources make this easy to scaffold.

You can also guide students in creating their own fairy tales—either brand-new or fractured twists of the classics. Pair it with a Fairy Tale Word Wall or Fairy Tale Bingo to give vocabulary a boost while they work.

Puppet Shows & Plays

Fairy tales beg to be performed. Have students write short puppet shows or skits, then let them perform for buddy classes or parents. You don’t need fancy props—sock puppets and cardboard cutouts are just as magical. Our Teaching Fairy Tales resource walks you through how to make this happen without stress.

Add a Fairy Tale Book List

Kids love seeing fresh takes on familiar stories. Some classroom favorites:

• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

• The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer

• Wand by Landra Jennings

• Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff

• Shrek (film) — challenge your students to spot every fairy tale and nursery rhyme cameo!

Castles, Knights & Real Life

Invite your students to step into “royal life.” Try a day of “Milord” and “Milady” greetings, practice “royal manners,” or research what castle life was really like. (Spoiler: most people weren’t lords and ladies—they were working hard, bartering, and surviving in a mostly illiterate society.)

You can tie this into financial literacy by hosting a mini Renaissance Fair. Assign groups to make simple, useful items—bookmarks, braided bracelets, origami decorations—and have them “sell” their creations to classmates. Add signs, pricing, and marketing pitches, and you’ve got a lesson in advertising and trade.

Crafts, STEM, & Mystery Items

• Candy Houses → Build Hansel & Gretel cottages, then add STEM with measurements and weight-testing.

• Storm the Castle Challenge → Build catapults with spoons, rubber bands, and tongue depressors to knock down marshmallow walls.

• Mystery Items Game → Put apples, golden braids, or spinning wheels in a basket. Students guess which fairy tale each item belongs to—it’s quick, fun, and sparks discussion.

Decorating & Parent Involvement

Transform your room with student-made castles, fairy tale word walls, or vocabulary displays. Invite parents in for puppet shows, reading days, or your Renaissance Fair. These little touches make the unit feel festive—without leaning on any holiday theme.

Closing Encouragement

Fairy tales have stood the test of time because they spark imagination, teach timeless lessons, and connect across cultures. By weaving them into your classroom, you can capture that magic while sneaking in writing, reading, research, STEM, and even financial literacy.

And here’s the best part: your students won’t just learn fairy tales—they’ll live them, in ways they’ll remember long after the unit is over.

Want a step-by-step plan for teaching a complete fairy tale unit in upper elementary? Don’t miss Teaching Fairy Tales to Fifth Graders

The post Fairytale Fun: Classroom Ideas without the Holidays appeared first on Help Writers Grow.

The signs of the season are everywhere—pumpkins on desks, Halloween word walls filling with new vocabulary, spooky poems hanging proudly in the hallway. Students are huddled with flashlights, reading in the dark while soft Halloween sounds play in the background. Across the room, others are busy drafting their “Spooky House” stories, whispering ideas to their partners, pencils flying. The teacher glances around and smiles—it’s October, the energy is buzzing, and her students are happily engaged in real, meaningful learning.

This is what happens when you lean into Halloween rather than fight it. Kids are excited anyway—why not use that energy to build creativity, community, and a love of writing?

Here are seven fun and meaningful ways to embrace Halloween in your classroom while keeping learning front and center.

1. Spooky House Writing 

There’s something magical about the idea of a spooky house. For younger students, keep it simple with descriptive words and short stories. For older students, go bigger—encourage mysteries, plot twists, or even a full-blown scary story. A “haunted house” is the perfect playground for imagination, and every child’s version will be different.  Want a ready to go resource for Spooky House Writing? The Old House is perfect for primary writers and The Spooky House Writing is aimed at older elementary students.

2. Flashlight Reading and Spooky Book Picks

Turn off the lights, pass out flashlights, and transform independent reading time into an October adventure. Add a low soundtrack of creaking doors or howling wind, and suddenly, kids can’t wait for DEAR time.

Pair the activity with a basket of Halloween- and fall-themed picture books—both fun and just-spooky-enough—to give your students seasonal favorites they’ll love.

Looking for the perfect read-alouds to pair with flashlight reading? Here are a few classroom favorites that bring just the right mix of fun and spooky:

• Georgie by Robert Bright – A classic about a shy, friendly little ghost. Sweet and timeless.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson – Rhyming, funny, and interactive. Students love joining in the repeated lines.

• Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds – Silly with just the right amount of spooky. Great for sparking creative writing about unusual characters.

• The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams – Rhythmic and participatory—students can act out the motions as you read.

• Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell – A quieter choice that shows the life cycle of a pumpkin—perfect for blending fall science with writing.

3. Boo Your Classroom (and Beyond) 

Bring the “You’ve Been Boo-ed” tradition into your classroom. Each child secretly writes a note and leaves it with a lollipop or small treat for another student. The teacher organizes who “boos” who to keep it fair and anonymous.

Take it further: adopt a kindergarten class or book buddy group and let your students write surprise notes and leave treats outside their door. Not only is this a sweet tradition, it teaches kindness, thoughtfulness, and the joy of writing for an authentic audience.

4. Spooky Vocabulary & Poetry 

October is full of rich, seasonal vocabulary that’s perfect for writing. Post a Halloween word wall, create a chart together as a class, or set up a scavenger hunt with words hidden on pumpkins, ghosts, or candy die-cuts around the room.

Then, channel that vocabulary into poetry. Halloween haikus are a favorite—short, structured, and bursting with creativity. Kids love the challenge of squeezing spooky words into the format, and it’s a perfect way to sneak in both fun and skill-building.

5. Grab A Ghost Spelling Game

Make spelling practice a game with a Halloween twist. Write spelling or vocabulary words on ghost or pumpkin cutouts. Call out a word—if a student spells it correctly, they “grab” the ghost and keep it. The one with the most ghosts at the end wins.

This game is quick to set up, can be played over and over, and keeps kids practicing spelling without complaints.

6. Best Costume Ever Writing Project 

Ask your students to design and describe the best costume ever. Some will want to invent wild, imaginative outfits, while others may stick with traditional favorites. Give them blank templates for creativity or clip-art outlines for those who prefer a head start.

For older students, extend this into a project with Create a Fall Store. Have them write product descriptions, make catalogs, and even present their costume designs as items for sale. It’s imaginative, cross-curricular, and keeps big kids just as engaged as the little ones.

7. Classroom Celebration of Writing

Cap off your October writing adventures with a celebration. Host a mini Poetry Café or create a spooky writing wall where students can share their stories, haikus, and descriptions of their costumes.

Make it even more special: let kids dress up in the costume they designed or in an outfit that ties to their Fall Store project. The room comes alive with characters, laughter, and pride in their work. The season feels festive, but the learning is the star.

Bonus Fall Learning Ideas

Want to stretch the season beyond Halloween? Try these:

• Signs of the Season Journaling: Head outside to notice changes in nature. Use nature journals, a phenology wall, word walls, and even Four Seasons Bingo to tie science and writing together.
• Leaf Rubbings into Nonfiction: Start with leaf rubbings in art, then have students write a nonfiction piece about leaves, or pivot into seasonal poetry.

  

Closing Encouragement 

Halloween is a child’s holiday—the excitement is baked in. Instead of trying to squash it, embrace it. With the right activities, students are not only engaged, but writing, reading, and thinking of others.

Have fun with your students, guide the energy, and let October be a month where learning shines in the glow of flashlights, word walls, spooky stories, and shared celebrations.

Teachers are the heroes who make the magic happen. This season, may your classroom be buzzing with joy, learning, and just the right touch of spooky fun.

The post 7 Spooky Writing Ideas That Channel Halloween Excitement appeared first on Help Writers Grow.

Easy Ideas to Get Your Students Writing This Holiday

St. Patrick’s Day Classroom Magic: Fun & Engaging Ideas for Young Writers

St. Patrick’s Day is a golden opportunity to bring creativity, excitement, and a bit of leprechaun mischief into your classroom! However, teachers don’t always have the time to pause instruction for holiday fun. That’s why we’ve put together these valuable resources that effortlessly weave St. Patrick’s Day excitement into meaningful learning experiences. These activities engage students in the magic of the holiday, enhance writing skills, encourage collaboration, and fit seamlessly into writing workshop routines or small-group projects.

1. Leprechaun Letters: A Magical Writing Experience

Invite your students to write letters to a mischievous classroom leprechaun! Before the big day, place tiny footprints or a note from “Lucky the Leprechaun“ somewhere in the classroom. Then, have students write back to him—asking questions, giving advice, or even warning him not to play pranks! This activity is perfect for developing letter-writing skills while sparking imagination.

2. Finish the Story: A Leprechaun’s Mischief

Encourage students to dive into a creative writing challenge by finishing a story about leprechaun antics! You can give them a story starter and let their imaginations take over.

Story Starter: Everything seemed normal when we left school yesterday, but the entire classroom was a disaster when we walked in this morning! Chairs were upside down, books were scattered everywhere, and someone had written tiny green footprints all over the whiteboard. At first, we thought it was a joke… until we heard a quiet giggle from inside the supply closet…

Let students develop their own version of what happens next! They can write from their perspective or create a fictional character who tries to outsmart the mischievous leprechaun.

Want a fully structured creative writing version with detailed writing instructions, planning pages,  and an additional story starter? Check out our St. Patrick’s Day Writing Resource for an engaging way to allow students to create a holiday adventure!

3. Leprechaun Traps: How-To Writing

If your students enjoy a little engineering mixed with storytelling, have them design and write about their own leprechaun trap! Start with the question: If you had to catch a tricky leprechaun, how would you do it? Students can write step-by-step instructions detailing the materials they’d use, how the trap would work, and what they’d do if they actually caught a leprechaun!  Check out this format.

4. Lucky Lists: Gratitude & Positive Thinking

Encourage students to reflect on what makes them feel lucky with a Lucky List Journal. Have them list things they’re grateful for, lucky experiences they’ve had, or positive affirmations. This is a great way to incorporate SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) into your writing routine.

5. Would You Rather? St. Patrick’s Day Edition

Get students thinking critically with a fun “Would You Rather?“ writing prompt. For example:

• Would you rather find a pot of gold but not be able to spend it, or be given one wish by a leprechaun (but he gets to choose what you wish for)?
• Would you rather have shamrocks for hair or a rainbow-colored pet unicorn?
• Would you rather live at the end of the rainbow or in a giant four-leaf clover?

Have students explain their choice in a paragraph, giving reasons to support their opinion.

6. Rainbow Poetry Challenge

Celebrate colors, creativity, and poetry with a Rainbow Acrostic Poem. Each student can write a poem using the letters in R-A-I-N-B-O-W, describing things that bring them joy, lucky moments, or colorful imagery. This activity builds vocabulary while allowing students to experiment with descriptive writing.

Or, introduce your students to the magic of poetry through limericks.  A Limerick writing resource here, just for you.

7. Shamrock Story Starter

Create a classroom storytelling chain with shamrock cutouts. Each student writes a short paragraph on a shamrock and passes it along, allowing the next student to continue the story. By the end of the activity, you’ll have a hilarious and unique class-created St. Patrick’s Day adventure!

For an extra challenge, check out our Finish the Story: When the Leprechauns Attacked resource, where students can take a thrilling writing prompt and craft their own unique endings. Check it out here.

8. St. Patrick’s Day Classroom Scavenger Hunt

Add an element of adventure with a writing-based scavenger hunt! Hide short writing challenges around the classroom, such as “Write three words that describe a leprechaun“ or “Write a sentence about something lucky that happened to you.“ Students must complete the challenges to find the next clue, leading them to a fun surprise!

9. Team Writing Fun: St. Patrick’s Day Edition

Encourage collaborative storytelling with our Team Writing Resource, which includes five fun and engaging St. Patrick’s Day prompts! This is a great way to foster teamwork while strengthening writing skills. St. Patrick’s Day Team Writing.

10. Leprechaun Olympics: Design an Obstacle Course

Get students thinking creatively and logically with this design and writing challenge! Students must imagine that they’ve found a young leprechaun who needs their help training for the Leprechaun Olympics. Their task? To design an obstacle course, describe each challenge and explain how it helps the leprechaun prepare for the games.

This would make a fantastic new classroom resource— bring this engaging activity into your classroom! Check it out here!

No matter how you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in your classroom, these activities will inspire creativity, laughter, and a bit of lucky learning magic. Let students’ imaginations shine as they explore writing through festive and fun experiences!

Looking for more ready-to-use writing activities? 

Do you have a favorite St. Patrick’s Day classroom tradition? Share it in the comments below or tag us on social media with your students’ creative work!

Looking for even more engaging writing activities this season? Check out Embrace Spring – Bring YourWriting Lessons to Life with These 5 Writing Ideas for creative ways to keep your students inspired and excited about writing all season long!

The post St. Patrick’s Day Writing Ideas appeared first on Help Writers Grow.

Put some zing back into your classroom instruction and consider adding in a study of Fairy Tales.  Chances are you have forgotten the magic and imagination that went along with fairy tales.  Fairy tales are so much more than stories covered in pink and reserved only for little girls who want to play princess.

These timeless stories can captivate even upper elementary students.  You have intrigue, scheming, fierce creatures, and brave heroes all wrapped up in the pretty bow of a fairy tale. Whether looking for a meaningful two-to-three-week unit before winter break or a high-interest topic during state testing, a fairy tale unit is the perfect way to combine fun and learning with classic tales that span generations.

Keep reading for actionable tips, creative ideas, and a suggested timeline to quickly and easily create an enjoyable fairy tale experience for you and your students.

Step 1: Immerse your classroom in a fairy tale world.

Immediately captivate your students’ attention with a classroom set up to transform your classroom into a fairy tale haven with a few simple touches:

• Display Fairy Tale Books: Line the tables, whiteboard, or your classroom library with fairy tale storybooks. Many can be found with a simple trip to your school library. Include a mix of classic tales, newer versions, and fractured fairy tales.  This mix will ensure that all your students are interested.  Also, include books with various reading levels so your lessons can be easily scaffolded for your students who need extra support.
• Add Visuals: Hang up a themed word wall and an anchor chart outlining the elements of a fairy tale.  Decorate the classroom door so students can step into a magical place.  You can use bulletin board paper to cover your door or buy a door cover like this castle entrance.
• Create a Cozy Reading Nook: Design a “Fairy Tale Nook” where students can read, write, and immerse themselves in the magical world of these stories. (idea list below)

These small changes create an inviting space that brings the unit to life.  (How-to Make a Fairy Tale Nook is below)

Step 2: Kick Off the Unit.

Start your fairy tale journey with engaging activities:

• Take a Fairy Tale Poll:  Ask your students what they think about fairy tales:

                  What do you think of when you hear the word “fairy tale”?

                  Do you have a favorite fairy tale—or one you dislike?

                  Are fairy tales just for little kids—or even just for girls?

           Use a simple poll with a construction paper chart labeled “Do You Like Fairy Tales?” Let students write their names on sticky notes and place them under “Yes” or “No.” Revisit  

            the poll at the end of the unit to see if opinions have changed.

• Design Crests and Banners:  Since many fairy tales revolve around kingdoms, have students create their own crests or banners. These can be displayed on desks or along the walls, creating a sense of their “royal” role in the unit.

• Read an Original Fairy Tale:  Start with a traditional version of Cinderella to spark curiosity. Discuss how fairy tales began as oral stories for adults, often with harsh or dark elements. For instance, in Grimm’s version, the stepsisters cut off parts of their feet to fit the slipper.

Classroom Idea: Compare a classic version of Cinderella to a modern retelling. Discuss how the themes, characters, and lessons have evolved.

Step 3: Explore the Universal Nature of Fairy Tales.

Fairy tales exist in every culture. The first written fairy tales date back over 6000 years ago.  Additionally, there is a ‘Cinderella’ version in every culture in the world.  Introduce your students to different versions, such as:

     Yeh-Shen (China)

     Rhodopis (Egypt)

     Rough Face Girl (Algonquin)

Use a world map to mark the origins of these stories. Then, discuss: Why do so many cultures share similar stories?

Step 4: Plan a Novel Study or Read-Aloud.

Dive deeper into fairy tale themes with a chapter book like:

     Ella Enchanted – A spirited retelling of Cinderella, where Ella must overcome a magical curse of obedience to reclaim her freedom and find her voice.

     The Whispering Fog – A mysterious and atmospheric tale of friendship and courage as a group of kids unravels secrets hidden in an eerie coastal fog.

     Fairest – A captivating Snow White-inspired story about beauty, identity, and finding strength in your true self amidst a world of song and deception.

Wand – an eleven-year-old girl named Mira, who, after the loss of her father, encounters a mysterious girl offering to grant her three wishes, leading her on a journey of self-

discovery and understanding the true meaning of family.

Discuss how these novels connect to traditional fairy tales while introducing fresh ideas.

Step 5: Add Fun and Creative Activities.

Bring the magic of fairy tales to life with engaging projects:

• Mini Book Reports: Use collected storybooks to inspire quick, student-friendly book reports.
• Fairy Tale Collages: Have students create visual collages representing their favorite stories.  This makes a great independent project.
• Fairy Tale Plays: Students can write and perform one-act plays or puppet shows and perform for families, book buddies, or other classes
• Character Parade: Host a dress-up day where students come as their favorite fairy tale characters.  Increase the fun, hold this on the same day parents come in for other activities, and challenge families to dress up, too.  Hold a costume contest and encourage family-themed costume ideas.
• Write Your Own Fairy Tale: Encourage students to share their original fairy tales with younger buddies.
• Build a Fairy House: Building a fairy house as a classroom activity invites students to unleash their creativity, collaborate, and bring the magic of fairy tales to life through imaginative design and storytelling.  See this book on Real Fairy Houses

Step 6: Celebrate Fairy Tales in Style.

End your fairy tale adventure with a memorable celebration.  Invite families and plan several activities.  Ask parents to volunteer to help with the different activities.

• Fairy Tale Bingo: Review vocabulary and elements of fairy tales with a fun bingo game.
• Candy House Building: Build candy houses inspired by Hansel and Gretel. Candy houses also doubles as a festive holiday activity.
• Movie Screening: Show Shrek and challenge students (and parents) to identify all the fairy tale references in the film.

Step 7: Reflect on the Magic.

Wrap up the unit with reflective prompts or discussion:

• What surprised you most about fairy tales?
• How did your opinion of fairy tales change after this unit?
• Revisit the poll from the beginning of the unit and discuss the shifts in perspective.

Fairy tales teach timeless lessons, inspire creativity, and engage students in a way few other units can. They’re the perfect blend of fun and meaningful learning, especially during those odd time slots before holidays or testing.

Additional Resources to Help You Prepare for Your Fairy Tale Unit:

1. Preparation Checklist for Your Fairy Tale Unit:

• • Visit your library or order books in advance.
  • Prep vocabulary cards, anchor charts, and activity materials.
  • Decorate your room with a cozy nook, fairy tale posters, or themed elements.
  • Order any materials you may need.  Special books, prizes, or fairy tale props.

     2. Ways to Involve Parents in Your Fairy Tale Unit:

• • Invite them to a celebration day with plays, candy houses, and costume parades.
  • Host a parent-student Shrek movie challenge.
  • Encourage parents to participate in creating costumes or props.

     3.  DIY guide:  Create a Fairy Tale Reading Nook:

• Transform your classroom into a magical fairy tale escape with these simple, affordable DIY ideas! This guide combines decor, reading tools, ambiance, and immersive elements  to make your nook a special place for students.

• • Add Magical Ambiance
    • Fairy Lights:
    • • Wrap string lights around the edges of the nook or drape them across the top. Battery-operated options are easy to use and safe for classrooms. fairy lights
    • Lanterns:
    • • Recycle jars by covering them with tissue paper and adding a battery tea light inside. Tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar for an extra flair.  There are even make-it-yourself Fairy Lantern kits
    • DIY Magic Mirror:
    • • Use a hand mirror from a dollar store. Paint the frame gold and write “Magic Mirror” on it with permanent marker or a vinyl decal. Magic Mirror
  • Create Cozy Comfort
    • Floor Cushions or Bean Bags:
    • • Sew or stuff pillowcases with foam or polyfill to make affordable seating options. Use royal colors like gold, blue, or red.
      • No-sew option: Use fleece fabric and tie the ends to create a quick cushion.
    • Rug:
    • • Use an old blanket or remnant fabric from a craft store to define the nook area. Add stick-on decals of stars or fairy tale symbols for extra charm.
  • Engage with Reading Tools
    • Fairy Tale Book Display:
    • • Stack books on a small crate or shelf labeled “Fairy Tale Favorites.” Decorate the crate with glitter or stickers.
    • DIY Character Bookmarks:
    • • Cut bookmarks out of cardstock and decorate them as princes, princesses, dragons, or wolves. Laminate them for durability.
  • Keep It Organized
    • Bins and Labels:
    • • Use plastic bins or small baskets to hold books, props, or art supplies. Label each one with fairy tale-themed names like “Treasure Chest,” “Royal Library,” or “Magic Supplies.”
    • Clean-Up Poster:
    • • Create a small poster with simple instructions like “Put the Magic Back!” as a reminder for students to tidy up after using the nook.

The post Teaching Fairy Tales to Fifth Graders appeared first on Help Writers Grow.

13 Ideas for Inspiring Your Students through the Magic of Autumn

Fall is in the air, and with it comes a new opportunity to spark creativity in your classroom.  As a teacher, you know that the key to a successful lesson isn’t just the content—it’s the energy you bring to it.  Your students feed off your excitement, and everything clicks when they’re eager to learn. Use these fall writing ideas to increase your student engagement.

We get it—you’re the expert and juggling a million things at once.  That’s why we’ve pulled together some fun, easy-to-implement writing activities that will engage your students and bring a little joy to your teaching day.  Because when students are excited and successful, you feel better too.

The beauty of fall is that it’s a season that all students can connect with.  Maybe it’s the changing colors, the crispness in the air, or the excitement of the fall activities, but something magical stirs children’s creativity.  The very best part?  You can use this excitement and tailor these writing activities to fit your elementary classroom.  No matter how you approach these lessons, the goal is to let your students express their joy and wonder at the changing seasons through their writing.

Below, you’ll find a variety of fall-themed writing ideas that can be adapted or extended to fit your needs.  So treat yourself to a pumpkin spice latte, grab that orange flair pen (you know you love thematic colors), and read on to be inspired as you create your fall writing lessons and bring the season to life in your classroom.

1. 

   Writing About the Season’s Harvest: Apples, Pumpkins, squash and Corn

As the season of harvest arrives, students can explore the world of apples, pumpkins, squash, and corn—crops that are iconic during fall. 

Whether they see them in displays, at local fall festivals, or even on their dinner table, these plants are everywhere! 

Have them connect what they are seeing to their writing.  Students can create separate reports on the different plants.  They can include life cycles, plant parts, and even seasonal uses.  Check out Writing about Apples and Writing about Pumpkins.

2. Create a Fall Word Wall

Create a fall word wall to transform your classroom into a fall-themed writing haven! 

Start the word wall off with a class brainstorm of fall-related words.  Kids can add anything from crunchy leaves to warm cider (adding in adjectives spurs imagination). 

As the season progresses, students can add their own drawings, pictures, or images they find at home. 

This ever-growing display serves as a visual reminder and a perfect reference all season long.  (even this idea makes me want a cozy plaid blanket and some hot cider).  Seasonal Word Walls make a great start to these word walls.  Check out this Word Wall Resource to use all year long.

3. Add a phenology wall (phenology is the study of the changing of the seasons)

Why stop at just a word wall?  Combine it with a phenology wall to create an evolving display that will last all season and beyond!  Start by brainstorming fall words with your class, then let the wall grow as students add phrases, drawings, and pictures that capture the essence of fall.  Teachers can kick things off with photos from the internet, and students can contribute their own findings as the season progresses.  This ever-changing display will flow naturally from one season into the next, becoming a creative source of inspiration for your young writers all year long.  Phenology walls are great additions.  Include a home-school connection exercise and get their families involved in the search for signs of the changing season.  This is the Phenology Wall I use – paired with the Seasons Word Wall.

4. Discover the Magic of Nature Journaling

Nature is our greatest teacher, and there’s no better way to inspire young writers than by letting them explore the world around them.  Take your students outside and encourage them to observe, sketch, and write about what they see.  Whether it’s the changing leaves, a squirrel gathering acorns, or the sharp fall air, nature journaling allows children to connect with their surroundings.   Primary Nature Journal or Nature Journal for Upper Elementary.

5. Create Fall Scenes Graphic-Novel Style

Bring the magic of fall into the classroom by allowing students to create their own graphic novel-style scenes!  Let them draw a large fall scene with dialogue bubbles, thought bubbles, and labels.  They can give voices to the plants, leaves, and animals preparing for the season, while also including humans enjoying the beauty of fall.  This fun, visual form of writing allows students to explore storytelling differently, sparking creativity and adding a bit of humor to their writing projects.

6. Create a Fall Store

Let your students’ imaginations run wild as they design their very own fall-themed store!  They can sell anything.   It can be a spooky Halloween shop filled with scary costumes and candy or a cozy fall store with scarecrows, hay bales, and pumpkins.  This project is a fantastic way to incorporate consumer education—students can create sale flyers, price catalogs, and eye-catching signs for their stores.  They can even think about their target customer (kids, families, or adults) as they design window displays.  It’s a fun, creative writing project that could quickly expand into a complete project-based learning (PBL) unit!  See this Fall Store Idea.

7. Seasonal How-To Writing

Tap into students’ creativity with fun how-to writing projects!  Your students can create a step-by-step guide on how to carve the perfect pumpkin, build a spooky haunted house, or even make . You know that this type of writing encourages clear thinking and organization.  It’s a great way to teach sequencing and instruction-giving while keeping things fun and relevant to the season.  Let your students pick their favorite fall activity and walk their readers through it!

8. Creative Fall Writing Adventures

Let your students’ imaginations soar with creative writing projects inspired by the season!  The possibilities are endless, whether they’re writing about a spooky house, a Thanksgiving adventure, or an exciting day at the fall fair, pumpkin patch, or farm. 

Use your word wall and phenology wall for inspiration, and consider showing YouTube shorts to give students both audio and visual experiences. 

Encourage those who have visited these places to bring in photos—they can act as experts, helping to build vocabulary word banks during the prewriting phase.  From a walk in the woods to a day at the state fair, these creative adventures will bring fall to life in your classroom.

Primary – At the Pumpkin Patch, The Old House

Upper Elementary – Thanksgiving Adventure, Spooky House, or Adventure at the State Fair

9. Journal Entry From the Perspective of a Scarecrow

Encourage your students to get creative by writing a journal entry from the perspective of a scarecrow.  Whether the tone is fun, silly, or even a little sad, this writing project allows kids to explore different emotions and viewpoints.  Is the scarecrow standing watch over a quiet field or peering out from a busy shop window? 

Let your students decide as they imagine life from the eyes of this fall icon.  It’s a great way to practice empathy and creative expression all in one!

10. Write a Fall Weather Report

Help your students become budding meteorologists by writing a fall weather report!  Have them track the weather for a week, either in their own city or by choosing two cities around the world—one experiencing fall and another in a different climate.  Students can compare temperatures, conditions, and any unique fall weather patterns they notice. 

This project combines writing with real-world data and provides a fun way to connect the science of weather with creative expression.  

Check out Weather Data Collection, Write a Weather Report, or even Weather Around the World.

11. Graphic Novel: The Changing Season From a New Perspective

Give your students the chance to explain the changing of the season through the eyes of a tree, squirrel, or even a single leaf!  In this graphic novel-style project, students can use visuals, dialogue, and thought bubbles to tell the story of fall from nature’s perspective.  This creative project blends writing and art, helping students express the season’s transformations in a fun and unique way.

12. Fall Poetry: Capturing the Magic of the Season

Let your students explore the magic of fall through poetry!   Poetry is all about putting emotion into words, and fall provides endless inspiration.  Use your word wall, phenology wall, and students’ personal experiences to help them create poems that capture the season’s essence. Fall Poetry Collection Primary – Halloween Haikus

13. Team Writing: A Collaborative Story Adventure

Get your students laughing and thinking creatively with a team writing activity!  Start with a simple prompt like, “There is a monster living in my backyard behind the oak tree.  He…” and let the students’ imaginations run wild.  After three minutes of writing, they pass their papers to the next classmate, who continues the story from where it left off. The challenge?  The story has to make sense, and they must wait to end it!  Each round brings new twists and turns as students work together to build unpredictable, hilarious stories. 

When the stories finally return to their original authors, the surprise and excitement are priceless.  The whole class, even the teacher, gets involved in the fun!

FAll Team Writing Prompts

Fall is the perfect season to inspire creativity in your classroom as the leaves change and the air turns crisp.  Whatever you choose if its diving into poetry, team writing, or nature journaling,  we hope that these activities will engage your students and help them connect to the world around them in new and exciting ways.  Remember, you are the expert guiding your students on this journey.  Let the season spark joy and creativity in you and your classroom.  Happy fall writing!

The post Fall Writing Adventures appeared first on Help Writers Grow.

Candy. Chocolate. Flowers. Love. Pink. Fluff. Glitter. Plushies. And if you are a teacher, several more mugs. What is it? Valentine’s Day.

Someone was a marketing genius and made a holiday out of a rather tragic story. And whether you choose to celebrate it or not, it’s working its way into your classroom. 

Some classrooms celebrate Valentine’s Day with a party and activities all day; some classrooms ignore it, and the teacher keeps a firm hand on the students, and they go through their daily business as usual. But most elementary teachers that I know just endure it.  

You’ve seen it. You’ve probably experienced it—that sugar-laden chaos of the elementary classroom. Valentine’s Day hits, and we teachers bow to the inevitable. We want our young students to be happy, and Valentine’s Day is a kid holiday, so we put our curriculum aside for the Day and try to plan activities that will keep our kids busy or distracted amidst a seeming flood of sugar, sweets, and chaos.  

When I first started teaching, these days were somewhat crazy. I would either over plan, and only some things would get done, or activities would take a lot less time than I expected, and I would have a classroom of feral children full of way too much sugar ready to fall upon the next event and devour it. Seriously.

I learned that a ‘party,’ in reality, takes very little time in the classroom. Pass out cupcakes, napkins, and juice boxes; the kids have eaten them and are ready to go in less than ten minutes. Ten minutes. Passing out Valentine’s takes very little time, and children will land upon a pile of candy and be halfway through before you can even tell them not to eat any of the sugar passed out with the cards. The Day is lucky if you get through without a child throwing up. (PSA – don’t allow a burping contest in your classroom with your students – someone will try way too hard to win and end up throwing up – seriously – take it outside – you’ll thank me later.)  

I knew there had to be a better way. I wanted to allow the students to have a Valentine’s Day still (I mean, they are kids) but not have it dissolve into crazy chaos.

These are some of the things that I have since put into place each holiday that help the classroom flow:

1.  Notify parents ahead of time with the plans for the Day.  I ask for candy donations a few days before the holiday, plan out whatever snacks I want, and ask for specific items from all willing parents. Now, with access to email, the easiest thing to do is send a Sign-up genius with items I need. Parents love to know what to send and when.  
2. Make plans with the students before the classroom events. Let them know precisely how any event will work. Get their input on what they would like to do that Day.
3. Write the schedule on the board the afternoon before Valentine’s Day so students know what to expect and when.  Keep the schedule up the next Day so you can more easily flow from one activity to the next. If math or reading lessons need to be completed, add them to the schedule.  
4. Set the behavior and learning expectations as a class the day before. Focus on your classroom community goals. Yes, we want to have fun, and we also want everyone included, etc. Challenge students to watch for Mr. or Ms. Valentine (the student who showed the most love, caring, and compassion for others during the day – award that person at the end of the school day. Students will come in more focused on doing their best.)  

WRITING IDEAS

I put together a list of ten different Valentine’s Day activities you can do on the actual Day or in the week leading up to it that my students have really enjoyed in the past.

I wanted my students to be actively engaged and learning with what they were doing while still enjoying the thrill of the holiday, so most of these activities are centered on Valentine’s Day writing ideas rather than just a coloring sheet or craft. 

1. Valentine’s Day Cereal. Students create a new cereal for Valentine’s Day and cover an empty cereal box with their idea. (Boxes don’t even have to be cereal boxes, but any upright square box works) They design a cover, title, and descriptive writing about the cereal and even create a riddle, maze, or comic on the back.  

After the competition, open the tops of the boxes, and the children can use them for Valentine Collection boxes. Valentine Cereals can even be offered for a competition and win prizes. I like to include categories like most hearts, yummiest description, most creative design, funniest, etc. Students do the judging, and awards can be given.  

Extension idea:  Allow the students to get creative and use the winning cereal for writing and creating commercials and ads for the breakfast cereal.

2.  Love in any Language.  Students look up how to say I love you in different languages worldwide. You can give each student an outline map and let them create a display using the phrases and coloring in the various countries. Have them color in the maps with traditional Valentine’s Day colors.

3.  Valentine’s Day Bingo. Students create a bingo board for Valentine’s Day from a list of words. They can write on their boards and then trade them with other students if they play more than one round. List words from the Valentine’s Day words or even words from current content or spelling words. Use conversation heart candies for marking squares rather than paper for added fun.

4.  Valentine’s Day Word Search. Students create their word searches for a classmate to solve. They use provided grid sheets, hide their words, and write their word list—theme words around Valentine’s Day or used from content and spelling word lists.

5.  Valentine’s Day Team Writing. Students participate in a team writing activity with a Valentine’s Day prompt. Create a writing prompt with a Valentine’s Day theme and have the students write the prompt down on paper. After a minute of think-time, have students start to write their story. After three minutes, call time and have students switch papers with someone else. Students read what was written and continue the story for another two to three sentences. Then, when the teacher calls time, they switch papers with someone new, get another story, and follow the same pattern. When it will be the last rotation, tell the class that they will need to wrap up the next story they get.

Allow students to get their original story back and read what the other students wrote.     

Hold a writing circle and allow students to tell what they like the most about their story, compliment an idea or word choice that another author used, etc. But mainly celebrate the ideas and stories created by the combination of students.

Team writing prompts can be funny or silly. Having students practice this method several times a month helps students increase writing fluency. (You can find my prompts here.) Note!! Make sure to set the rules before you write that students must continue the story given, and they can take it in any direction, but it must make sense with the storyline, AND they are not allowed to kill off all the characters and end the story. After this writing activity, looking for and celebrating good ideas keeps the students on task and putting more effort into their writing. For your more impacted students, sit next to them and participate too, give the word or phrase list, or even whisper read what is written and help them develop the following line of the story.

6.    Valentine’s Day Creative Writing. In the week or so before Valentine’s Day, during the writing workshop, have students write and publish Valentine’s Day stories. Students and parents can spend some time on the Day of your Valentine’s Day events reading and commenting on each other’s writings. (This is a beautiful time to give every child a lollipop while reading. It helps cut down on side chatter while students are working. And honestly, they look so cute while intently reading and commenting on others’ works with a lollipop stick hanging out of their mouths. They do.)

Using a funny or silly twist with the storyline will keep the students involved longer. I enjoy using the plot of having the worst Valentine’s Day ever. Students will even award fellow students with certificates for writing a perfect ‘horrible day.’ (see mine here.)

7.  Create a Candy Store. Use the time leading up to Valentine’s to have students design their own candy store. Allow students to watch videos of unique candy stores (some awesome ones on YouTube) or share images of candy stores worldwide. Students can create their own shop name, floor plan, signature candy, and even design a storefront. Your students can present store designs to both parents and other students. (My candy store idea here.)

8.  Valentine’s Day Poetry. Students use theme vocabulary and write Valentine’s Day poems. They can create poems and present them to the class. Adhere poems to decorative paper and hung around the classroom or in the hall for others to admire. (I like Valentine’s Day acrostic poetry – see here.)

9.  Valentine’s Day Cards. Create VAlentines for a senior center or a children’s hospital. I like to have the kids focus on making someone else happy and spend some time and effort creating a lovely card for someone else.

10.  Grateful Hearts. Create a sheet full of hearts of various sizes and give one to each student. Have them fill out their hearts with things they are thankful for in their lives.  

Also, for students needing additional support, consider working together as a class and brainstorm a list of Valentine’s words to use during the different assignments and activities. Create a chart and keep it posted for the students to be able to reference when needed.

I hope these ideas help you create some fantastic work with your students.  

Hugs, teacher friend. Thank you for spreading sunshine to your students and sharing your magic with the world. The world needs you.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Kinla

Questions?

Concerns?

Need a virtual hug?

Let’s connect.  You can find me at Help Writers Grow.

A Valentine’s Day Writing Prompts Team Writing

Valentine’s Day Writing Ideas – My Not So Happy Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day Poetry

More Valentine’s Day Writing Activities

Create Your Own Candy Store

The post Ten Creative Valentine’s Day Writing Ideas and Activities appeared first on Help Writers Grow.