Rainbow Writing Prompts (Free Printable)

It can sometimes be difficult for my kiddos to remember all of the rules of writing from day to day.  For this reason I created our Rainbow Writing Prompts.  

After daily journal tasks the kiddos use their prompts to check their work.  

Depending on their writing ability depends on the prompt they use.  I am sharing these prompts as a free printable to you today.

Daily Journal Tasks

Every day I write a question in each of the kiddos' journals for them to answer.  Depending on their grade level depends on how many sentences they are required to answer with.  

First grade questions receive one sentence answers.  Second grade questions receive two sentence answers and so on.  Before first grade the kiddos practice rewriting words and then sentences I have already written.

I love their journals. They've been a fabulous way to find out how much the kiddos are retaining in other subject areas.  Usually, questions are based on our current unit of study or something else they're learning.

Other times I like using the journal questions to help the kiddos work through big emotions about sensitive topics that may be bothering them.  They're more apt to write about something than express it verbally.

I try my best to rotate question words so that the kiddos practice responding to each of the question words.

• Who
• What
• Where
• Why
• When
• How

Questions are open ended questions and at times have a "why" tacked onto them to encourage writing and expression for those who write more than one sentence answers.

Rainbow Writing Prompts

Writing isn't always easy though.  In an effort to make journal writing more successful, I created a system called Rainbow Writing.  The kiddos need cues and visuals to help them remember the writing process each day.  They are all at different levels, so I created three different print outs.

After the kiddos write in their journals they use their Rainbow Writing Prompts to double check their work.  When they notice they've missed something they can go back and correct it.

Other than the kiddos' corrections, writing stays in it's original form to show a natural progression of the kiddos' knowledge, and to help them build confidence in their own abilities.  No corrections are made by the teacher.  I have loved watching the kiddos' writing improve over time.  It's such a magical process.

They also love seeing the progression as I keep their journals from year to year.  They feel such satisfaction in observing their own progress.

One could also use these prompts with some of our Beginning Montessori-inspired Sentence Challenges!

For those who are interested in more writing resources for kids, be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter by clicking the link below.

Click HERE to Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter

The Rainbow Writing Prompts are free printables . For your free copies, click on the link at the bottom of this post.

Rainbow Writing Prompt Level 1

Rainbow Writing Prompt Level 2

Rainbow Writing Prompt Level 3

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy the resources below.