Starting writing prompts with “I wonder” gives students a place to start their writing while encouraging to use their imagination to decide what comes next.
Below, you’ll find a list of these imaginative prompts.
Using This Guide
This guide is a little different from our other guides. Students should use each prompt as the opening for their assignment; but if they’d rather take the idea and just expand on it, that’s perfectly fine.
Here are a few ways to use these prompts in your classroom:
- Have students pick one or two of these prompts each week to write in their journals during quiet time.
- Encourage students to expand on these ideas with as much detail as they can in the time they are given.
- Create a writing challenge and encourage students to participate.
The Prompts
- I wonder what it would be like if students taught the teachers for a day.
- I wonder why some animals have four legs, but others only have two.
- I wonder why some states don’t observe Daylight Savings.
- I wonder what it would be like to have superpowers.
- I wonder if there’s an alternate universe in which I’m someone different.
- I wonder why some kids bully others.
- I wonder how long it would take for me to learn a new language.
- I wonder what the weather would be like if there was no pollution.
- I wonder what it would be like to be the parent for a day.
- I wonder why some people are afraid of things that others aren’t, like bugs or heights.
- I wonder why we have to learn math every year.
- I wonder why some adults act like children.
- I wonder if the world is any more dangerous now than it was when my parents were kids.
- I wonder what it would be like if it was my birthday every day.
- I wonder what would happen if I stopped doing my homework.
- I wonder how long it would take me to learn how to play a new musical instrument.
- I wonder why more schools don’t teach Sign Language to every student.
- I wonder why I can’t have fast food for every meal.
- I wonder why my mom and dentist say I have to brush my teeth twice a day.
- I wonder what would happen if I stopped raising my hand in class.
- I wonder how different my life would be if I had never met my best friend.
- I wonder what it would be like to be the President of the United States.
- I wonder why some people get stage fright and some people do not.
- I wonder if there is life on other planets.
- I wonder what the world would be like without scientists.
- I wonder how I can change the world, in my own little way.
- I wonder what I could do to help the environment.
- I wonder if animals feel emotions the same way humans do.
- I wonder what would happen if my parents decided I no longer needed to go to bed at a certain time each night.
- I wonder how many people in my class feel insecure about certain things the same way I do.
- I wonder if there will ever be a time when humans can time travel.
- I wonder what it would be like to be a voiceover actor.
- I wonder how easy it will be to achieve my dream job when I’m an adult.
- I wonder if it’s important to encourage those around me to do and be their very best.
- I wonder why it’s so important to be open-minded and accepting of people who are different from me.
- I wonder what it would be like to be a Broadway actor.
- I wonder why history has a way of repeating itself.
- I wonder what it would be like to have a younger or older sibling.
- I wonder why some people are empathetic to those in need but some people aren’t.
- I wonder how I can use my voice to speak out against injustice.
- I wonder how I can encourage my community to recycle more.
- I wonder if there really is a secret to life.
- I wonder what it would be like if I could go back and experience reading my favorite book for the first time.
- I wonder why adults don’t just go shopping all the time.
- I wonder why I have to do chores at home.
Looking For More?
We’ve got writing prompts, templates, and resources for teachers and educators to use in the classroom or at home.
If you’re looking for something else, let us know! We’re here to help.
