5th Grade

Be a Detective (Narrative)

You are a famous detective. You have just been hired to find out why the school lunches tasted awful last week. It's a difficult job, but you're ready for it!

What do you do? How do you solve the case? What do you find out? Write a story about what happens. Use your imagination!

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Be a Super Hero (Narrative)

Suppose you woke up and found out that you had become a super hero for a day. What happened? What powers did you have? What did you do? Write a story about your day. Be creative!

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Best Friends (Compare-Contrast)

People can be different in some ways yet still be best friends. Describe you and your best friend. Then explain two ways that you are similar and two ways that you are different. Give examples to show how you are alike and different.

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Birthday Bash (Process)

You've been asked to plan the perfect birthday party, and you want to write your plan down step by step to be sure you don't leave anything out. What do you do first? What important steps come next? You may pick a certain age or theme, but don't forget a single detail.

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Character to Dinner (Narrative)

Your favorite character from a book, cartoon, television show, or movie has come to dinner at your house. What a night! Use your imagination to tell which character visits and what happens.

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Chores (Persuasive)

Many parents give their children certain chores or tasks to do at home. Should children have to do chores or tasks at home? Be sure to explain why you think it is a good idea or a bad idea. Include examples to support your reasons.

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Cousin (Descriptive)

Pretend that you have a cousin you've never met. Your cousin lives in another state, but you want him or her to get to know you. Write a letter to your cousin describing yourself. Include what you look like, your personality, and your interests.

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Dream Blending (Narrative)

Imagine that you fell asleep while reading your history textbook and your favorite storybook at the same time. What would happen if the two stories came together in your dream? Use your imagination to rewrite your favorite story in a different time period in history.

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Earn Money (Process)

Pretend that your class publishes a newspaper. Your classmates write to you and ask for help. You then tell them what they should do. You just got this letter:

Dear Secret Helper,

I am in fifth grade. I really want a bike! All my friends have bikes. But I only have $5. How can I make money for a bike? Help!

Your friend,
Jimmy

Can you help Jimmy? Answer his letter. Describe one way he can make money for his bike and write in detail everything Jimmy needs to do to earn enough money for the bike.

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Favorite Animal (Descriptive)

Of all the wild animals that you have ever seen in a zoo, movie, or book, what is your favorite? Which animal would you most like for a friend? Write an essay describing your favorite animal, including its appearance, its habitat, and its behavior. Explain why the animal is your favorite.

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Feeling Happy (Descriptive)

Think about something that made you happy recently. Describe fully what happened and how you felt. Also explain why it made you feel that way.

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Foods for Health (Cause and Effect)

We need to eat many different kinds of foods to grow strong and healthy. Write a description of at least three foods you think are needed for a healthful diet. Explain the benefit each food brings to you. Also describe what you think would happen to your body if you did not eat these healthy foods.

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Getting Taller (Cause & Effect)

According to scientists, humans, on average, are much taller than they were 100 years ago. Imagine what would happen if the average height of humans suddenly increased by a foot. Write an essay explaining the effects of this sudden increase in height. Be sure to describe the problems this sudden height change might create and what people would need to do to adapt.

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Grocery Town (Narrative)

Imagine that the grocery store is a town where different foods live. Write a story about a day in Grocery Town when one of the foods does something that changed the lives of all the foods in the town. What did the food do? What happened to it and to the other foods afterward?

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Hot Air Balloon (Descriptive)

You won a free hot-air-balloon ride. What was it like in the balloon? How did you feel as you soared into the sky? What did you see below you? What sounds did you hear? Write an essay describing the sights, sounds, and sensations of your balloon flight.

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In the Doghouse (Cause & Effect)

It was your turn to feed the dog this morning, but you forgot! You rush home from school, but when you enter the kitchen you realize you are too late. The bottom cabinets are wide open, and empty dog food bags and cereal boxes are all over the floor. Your dog is fast asleep on the couch. Write an apology to your parents (and your dog) explaining what happened and why.

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Internet Use (Process)

Imagine that your uncle is visiting your family, and he wants to use your family’s computer to read the news from his home state. Unfortunately, he has never used a computer before. Your parents have asked you to show him how to turn on the computer, access the Internet, and, if possible, find a website with the news from his home state.

Write a detailed essay describing the steps your uncle will need to follow to use the computer. Don’t forget to explain details that might seem obvious, such as where the power switch is and how to use the mouse.

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Library (Process)

Imagine that a new student has come to your school, and your teacher has asked you to show him around. Your school library has a different system from that of his old school. Write instructions to help the new student become familiar with the library's system. Explain how to find a book and how to check it out from the school library.

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Make a Change (Cause-Effect)

Think of something in your school which needs to be changed. Describe why it has to be changed. Explain how this change will affect students.

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Monday and Friday (Compare and Contrast)

Mondays and Fridays are both school days; however, they are different in some ways. Write an essay describing what Mondays are like, including how you feel and what you do on Mondays. Then, describe what Fridays are like. Explain two ways that Mondays and Fridays are similar, and explain two ways that they are different. Include examples to support your points.

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New Subject to Study (Persuasive)

Imagine that your teacher wants to teach a new subject for the next few weeks. Your teacher will take suggestions, and then let the students vote on the new subject. What subject should your class choose? Write an essay to support your choice and to persuade the other students to vote for your choice.

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No Rules (Cause-Effect)

Pretend you woke up one day and there were no rules. People could suddenly do whatever they wanted! Explain what the world would be like. Use your imagination!

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Person for a Stamp (Persuasive)

A lot of famous or important people have had their faces on postage stamps. Who would you nominate to appear on a new stamp? Why do you admire this person? Why should they be recognized in this way? Offer specific support for your choice.

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Playing Games (Compare & Contrast)

Almost everyone likes to play games. After all, with sports, board games, card games, word games, and computer games there’s something for everyone. Think about two different games you like to play. What are the rules? When do you play the games? What kinds of equipment do you need? As you write about the two games, be sure to describe some ways the games are similar to each other and some ways they are different.

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Principal for a Day (Persuasive)

Your school is holding an essay contest that will allow the winner to be the principal for one day. Write a letter to the contest’s judges explaining why you think you would make a good principal-for-a-day. Describe what you would do and why it would be beneficial to your school. Use specific reasons examples to support your argument.

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School Lunch Menu (Persuasive)

Your school cafeteria always has the same lunch menu. You think it should have more choices. Write a letter to your principal asking for more variety on the menu. In your letter, include three reasons for changing the menu and some suggestions for what to add to it.

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School vs. Fun Reading (Compare & Contrast)

Is the reading you do for school different from the reading you do for fun? If so, how? Write an essay comparing and contrasting school reading with fun reading. Your essay might compare what you read about, how you read, or even where you read. Use specific examples to show how these two types of reading are similar and how they are different.

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Special Treat (Descriptive)

Think about a favorite food you look forward to eating at special occasions. Write an essay describing this food, including details about how it looks, smells, and tastes. Why is this food special to you?

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The Field Trip (Persuasive)

Your teacher is trying to decide whether to take the class on a field trip to the zoo or to a local museum. Which would you rather do? Write an essay to persuade your teacher to agree with your choice. Give at least three reasons to support your choice.

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Your New Park (Descriptive)

What if you could create a new park in the area where you live? Imagine the park you would want to create. Describe its size, trees, and plants. Describe the equipment you want in your park. Does it have a pond or a hill? Is there a zoo? Write an essay telling how your park would look and what features it would include.

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