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Thanksgiving Writing Prompts

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Thanksgiving writing prompts for K⁠–⁠5 on lined pages ruled for each grade, plus 24 prompt cards.

Download the thanksgiving writing prompts worksheets

K–2

Drawing boxes, big writing lines and sentence starters for early writers.

  • Preview of the printable “Helping Hands: thanksgiving narrative writing prompt (1st Grade)” worksheet: writing a narrative about getting ready for a family meal, with first, next and lastView larger

    Helping Hands: thanksgiving narrative writing prompt (1st Grade)

    Writing a narrative about getting ready for a family meal, with first, next and last

    1 page73 KB

  • Preview of the printable “The best feast Food: thanksgiving opinion writing prompt (2nd Grade)” worksheet: writing an opinion about the best holiday food, with two reasons and a closingView larger

    The best feast Food: thanksgiving opinion writing prompt (2nd Grade)

    Writing an opinion about the best holiday food, with two reasons and a closing

    1 page69 KB

3rd–5th

Narrative, opinion and informative prompts with plan boxes and grade-sized lines, plus 24 prompt cards.

  • Preview of the printable “The runaway parade Balloon: thanksgiving narrative writing prompt (3rd Grade)” worksheet: writing a narrative with a clear beginning, middle and end, and descriptive detailsView larger

    The runaway parade Balloon: thanksgiving narrative writing prompt (3rd Grade)

    Writing a narrative with a clear beginning, middle and end, and descriptive details

    1 page32 KB

  • Preview of the printable “The best fall Activity: thanksgiving opinion writing prompt (3rd Grade)” worksheet: writing an opinion piece that supports a point of view with reasonsView larger

    The best fall Activity: thanksgiving opinion writing prompt (3rd Grade)

    Writing an opinion piece that supports a point of view with reasons

    1 page45 KB

  • Preview of the printable “The best thanksgiving side dish” worksheet: writing an opinion piece with reasons, linking words and a concluding statementView larger

    The best thanksgiving side dish

    Writing an opinion piece with reasons, linking words and a concluding statement

    1 page48 KB

  • Preview of the printable “A time I felt thankful” worksheet: writing a true narrative with events in order, feelings and a sense of closureView larger

    A time I felt thankful

    Writing a true narrative with events in order, feelings and a sense of closure

    1 page55 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Ways to show Gratitude: thanksgiving informative writing prompt (4th Grade)” worksheet: writing an informative piece with a clear topic, examples and linking wordsView larger

    Ways to show Gratitude: thanksgiving informative writing prompt (4th Grade)

    Writing an informative piece with a clear topic, examples and linking words

    1 page69 KB

  • Preview of the printable “The kitchen Mix-Up: thanksgiving narrative writing prompt (4th Grade)” worksheet: writing a narrative with dialogue and description that show how characters respondView larger

    The kitchen Mix-Up: thanksgiving narrative writing prompt (4th Grade)

    Writing a narrative with dialogue and description that show how characters respond

    1 page32 KB

  • Preview of the printable “How to make a thankful tree” worksheet: writing a how-to (informative) text with steps in order and linking wordsView larger

    How to make a thankful tree

    Writing a how-to (informative) text with steps in order and linking words

    1 page46 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Should kids help cook the holiday Meal?” worksheet: writing an opinion piece with reasons supported by facts and detailsView larger

    Should kids help cook the holiday Meal?

    Writing an opinion piece with reasons supported by facts and details

    1 page46 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Screens at the holiday Table?: thanksgiving opinion writing prompt (5th Grade)” worksheet: writing an opinion essay with logically ordered reasons, facts and examples, and a response to the other sideView larger

    Screens at the holiday Table?: thanksgiving opinion writing prompt (5th Grade)

    Writing an opinion essay with logically ordered reasons, facts and examples, and a response to the other side

    1 page32 KB

  • Preview of the printable “A tradition worth Keeping: thanksgiving informative writing prompt (5th Grade)” worksheet: writing an informative essay that explains a family or community tradition with details and examplesView larger

    A tradition worth Keeping: thanksgiving informative writing prompt (5th Grade)

    Writing an informative essay that explains a family or community tradition with details and examples

    1 page31 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Should thanksgiving break be a Week?” worksheet: writing an argument with a clear claim, logically ordered reasons and evidence, and a conclusionView larger

    Should thanksgiving break be a Week?

    Writing an argument with a clear claim, logically ordered reasons and evidence, and a conclusion

    1 page44 KB

  • Preview of the printable “The person I want to thank” worksheet: writing a personal narrative with dialogue, description and a reflective conclusionView larger

    The person I want to thank

    Writing a personal narrative with dialogue, description and a reflective conclusion

    1 page42 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Thanksgiving writing prompt cards (24 Prompts)” worksheet: choosing from 24 Thanksgiving prompts and writing a story, an opinion or an explanationView all 2 pages

    Thanksgiving writing prompt cards (24 Prompts)

    Choosing from 24 Thanksgiving prompts and writing a story, an opinion or an explanation

    2 pages56 KB

Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.

About these thanksgiving writing prompts worksheets

These free Thanksgiving writing prompts cover narrative, opinion and informative writing from kindergarten to 5th grade. Each prompt sits on its own page with lines sized for the grade: big lines and a drawing box for K⁠–⁠2, and smaller lines with plan boxes for 3rd to 5th grade.

Older writers get prompts such as a runaway parade balloon, ways to show gratitude, a kitchen mix-up and a family tradition, with words they might use, a plan (beginning, middle and end, or claim, reasons and the other side) and a self-check strip. The prompt card page holds 24 short prompts marked story, opinion or explain, with a lined response page.

Not every family celebrates Thanksgiving. The winter writing prompts make a good choice for children who don't.

Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.3Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events, tell about the events in the order in which they occurred, and provide a reaction to what happened.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.3Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.1Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.10Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

How to use them

  1. Read the prompt aloud and talk about ideas together before anyone writes.
  2. Have children fill in the plan boxes with a few words each, then write in full sentences.
  3. Cut the prompt cards apart for a writing center or a prompt jar, or use the uncut page as a numbered list.

Teaching tips

  • For opinion prompts, ask for a reason children can explain with an example, not just "because I like it."
  • For stories, remind writers to show feelings with actions and dialogue.
  • Use the self-check strip at the bottom before children hand in their writing.

Questions teachers and parents ask

What grades are these Thanksgiving writing prompts for?

Kindergarten to 5th grade. Each page is pitched at one grade, with writing lines sized for that grade.

What kinds of writing do the prompts cover?

Narrative (tell a story), opinion (share and support an opinion) and informative (teach or explain), the three kinds of writing taught in elementary school.

How do I use the prompt cards?

Cut the 24 cards apart for a writing center or a prompt jar, or keep the page whole and let children choose a number. Page 2 is a lined page for the response.