Non-fiction Writing Ideas That Kids Will Love: Engaging Ideas for Your Classroom
Tired? Overwhelmed? Short on time? We’ve got you.
Let’s be real—elementary teachers have a lot on their plates. Finding time for writing instruction can feel like an uphill battle between testing schedules, field trips, performances, and assemblies. And when you finally squeeze it in, nonfiction writing can sometimes feel… well, dry.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Nonfiction writing can be just as creative, engaging, and fun as fiction—when it’s taught with the right approach. It’s not just about listing facts or writing a five-paragraph report. It’s about discovery, curiosity, and writing with purpose.
Today, we’re sharing six classroom-tested nonfiction writing ideas that will:
Get your students excited to write
Help them think critically & creatively
Fit into your busy schedule without extra stress
Because here’s the truth: When you’re excited to teach it, your students will be excited to learn it.
A Quick Reminder: The Writing Process Matters
Before jumping into these ideas, remember—all great writing follows a process. Whether students are writing an informational article or a creative menu, they need to:
1. Brainstorm & Plan – Talk about the topic, gather ideas, and discuss key vocabulary.
2. Draft – Encourage ideas over perfection in the first round.
3. Revise & Confer – Students can work together, share feedback, and add details.
4. Edit – Focus on sentence structure, punctuation, and word choice.
5. Publish & Share – Give students a real audience for their nonfiction writing!
Need ideas for teaching the Writing Process? Check out this Writing Process Resource.
Now, let’s dive into six nonfiction writing lessons your students will love.
Want to help your students reflect on their writing growth? Grab my FREE Writing Self-Assessment Survey—a simple tool to help students evaluate their writing strengths, set goals, and take ownership of their progress!
📩 Download your free copy here!
1. Opinion Writing: Make Them Take a Stand!
💡 What It Is: Opinion writing is more than just stating what students like—it’s about forming a strong opinion and backing it up with solid reasoning.
Classroom Guide:
📌 Step 1: Start with a fun, high-interest debate topic (Example: What’s the best pet?)
📌 Step 2: Brainstorm descriptive and convincing words to strengthen arguments.
📌 Step 3: Write a class model paragraph together. Example:
In my opinion, dogs make the best pets. Dogs are loyal, loving, and can even protect their owners. Furthermore, they can be trained to do tricks and follow commands. Unlike cats, who sleep most of the day, dogs love to play and be active. That’s why I believe dogs are the best pets!
📌 Step 4: Provide sentence starters (I believe… One reason is… Furthermore…) to help students structure their writing.
📌 Step 5: Let students write their own opinion piece and share!
Resource to Make It Easier:
Our Opinion Writing Resource includes engaging prompts, graphic organizers, and sentence frames to guide your students through the process.
2. How-To Writing: Teach Like an Expert (Step-by-Step Clarity!)
💡 What It Is: How-to writing teaches students to organize their thoughts, explain clearly, and break big ideas into steps.
Classroom Guide:
📌 Step 1: Choose a fun, seasonal topic! (How to Build a Snowman, Trap a Leprechaun, or Carve a Pumpkin).
📌 Step 2: Model a class how-to paragraph using transition words (First, Next, Then, Finally).
📌 Step 3: Let students choose their own topic & write their own steps.
✨ Resources to Save You Time:
🔥 Our How-To Writing Resources include ready-to-use templates, organizers, and engaging prompts.
3. Journal Entries & Diary Writing (Adding Voice & Perspective!)
💡 What It Is: Journal writing helps students reflect, write with personal voice, and think creatively.
Classroom Guide:
📌 Step 1: Introduce different types of journals:
- 📖 Morning journals (daily quick writes to build fluency)
- 🌿 Nature journals (observing the world around them!)
- 📜 Historical journals (writing from the perspective of a real person or animal!)
📌 Step 2: Model a short journal entry together.
📌 Step 3: Let students choose a topic & write.
✨ Resources for Your Classroom:
🔥 Morning Journal (daily writing prompts!)
🔥 Nature Journal (perfect for outdoor exploration!)
Want more ideas for bringing journals into your classroom? Check out these posts:
- Journaling Nature: How to Inspire Young Writers Outdoors
- Use Journals in the Classroom: Simple & Effective Ideas
4. Report Writing That Doesn’t Feel Like Reports
💡 What It Is: Reports don’t have to be dry! Teach students to write informative pieces with voice and personality.
Classroom Guide:
📌 Step 1: Choose a topic (Example: Animal Reports!).
📌 Step 2: Instead of a plain fact list, students can:
- Write from the animal’s perspective (“I am a cheetah, the fastest runner in the world!”)
- Create a mini magazine article with descriptive language.
✨ Perfect Resource:
🔥 Our Animal Report Templates help students structure their research in a fun and engaging way.
Writing About Animals: Turtles and Tortoises, Bees and Wasps, Butterflies and Moths, Polar Bears and Penguins
5. Advertising & Consumer Science Writing (Real-World Fun!)
💡 What It Is: Advertising teaches students to think critically about persuasion, word choice, and audience.
Classroom Guide:
📌 Step 1: Have students create a product for a classroom store (pet store, candy shop, toy store).
📌 Step 2: Model writing a persuasive ad with:
- Catchy slogans (“The softest stuffed animal ever!”)
- Exciting descriptions (“Made with ultra-soft fabric, this bear gives the best hugs!”)
- Customer reviews (“My son LOVES it!”)
📌 Step 3: Let students write & design their own ads!
✨ The Perfect Match:
🔥 Create Your Own Pet Store & Create Your Own Candy Store fit perfectly here!
6. Menu Writing: A Themed Restaurant Challenge!
💡 What It Is: A creative way to teach descriptive and persuasive writing.
Classroom Guide:
📌 Step 1: Create a themed restaurant (Example: “The Savannah Pride” – a burger joint for lions!).
📌 Step 2: Brainstorm fun menu items & creative descriptions.
📌 Step 3: Have students write & design their own menus.
💡 Real-World Connection: This teaches persuasion, creativity, and real-world writing skills!
🚀 Ready to Make Nonfiction Writing Fun? Let’s Go!
Nonfiction writing doesn’t have to be a chore—it can be an adventure. Try one of these activities this week and watch your students fall in love with nonfiction writing.
Want to make nonfiction writing even more effective? Helping students reflect on their own writing is key! Grab my FREE Writing Self-Assessment Survey to help your students track their growth and build confidence.
📌 Click here to download it!
Journals are a powerful tool for nonfiction writing! Whether you’re using them for daily reflections, nature observations, or historical perspectives, they build writing fluency and creativity. Check out these posts for more inspiration: