Narrative writing helps students develop storytelling skills by reflecting on their own experiences, or using their imagination, and writing about a series of events.
These assignments encourage students to think about the order of events, practice some of the most important aspects of writing, and use logic to learn from their experiences.
Below, you’ll find a list of narrative writing prompts that will help your 5th graders practice their narrative writing skills.
Some are nonfiction and some are fiction—but they’re all sure to have your students writing.
Using This Guide:
Our writing prompt guides are for you to use in whatever way makes sense for your classroom. As long as your students are working through the process of narrative writing, they’re already on the right track.
But if you need a few ideas on how to help students get started, give one of these a try:
- Ask the student to count the number of letters in their whole name. That number will be the prompt that they use.
- Have students browse the list quickly, and use the first prompt that catches their eye.
- Students can use the date of their birth to choose their prompt.
- Have students pick their prompt using their favorite number.
Here are the Prompts:
- Describe the best birthday you’ve ever had.
- Write about the day you met your best friend. Where did you meet? Did you become friends instantly, or over time?
- Write a newspaper article with the headline: BOY BECOMES PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY!
- If you know the story, explain how you got your name.
- Have you ever told a lie and got caught? What did you lie about? How was the issue resolved?
- Write about your first day of kindergarten.
- Write a story using the following words: notorious, appreciate, dialogue, participate
- Tell a story about an ant who was determined to reach a piece of watermelon on a picnic blanket.
- Pretend you are planning a surprise party for your best friend. Who do you invite? How do they react?
- Write about the best prank you’ve ever pulled on someone.
- Write a spooky story that begins with, “The cabin in the woods was never meant to be found…”
- Tell a story about a time when you were afraid.
- Write a story using the following words: costume, bundle, exhausted, communicate
- Pretend you’re a superhero who protects your town. How did you become a hero? What do you do to protect people?
- Write about a time when you helped someone without being asked.
- Retell the story of the first day of this school year.
- Tell the story of your favorite vacation.
- Describe a time when you were in charge. What were you doing? How did you feel?
- Write a fairy tale that begins with, “The princess had a cold…”
- Write a story using the following words: bread, planet, yesterday, confused
- Write a newspaper article with the headline: GIRL FINDS BURIED TREASURE IN HER SANDBOX!
- Tell a story about a day when it felt like everything was going wrong.
- Pretend you were transported into your favorite game for a day. What do you do? How do you feel?
- Write a story about a dog who is trying to cheer up his person.
- Retell the story of your favorite holiday memory.
- Have you ever witnessed someone being bullied? What did you do?
- You are at the beach when you find a message in a bottle. What does the message say? What do you do with it?
- Write about how you felt at the beginning of the pandemic. How do you feel about it now?
- Tell a story about a kid who always interrupts the teacher when she’s talking.
- Write about a crowd of moviegoers who get transported into the movie they are watching.
- There’s a loud crash, and you look out the window. A spaceship just landed on your school’s playground. Tell the story of what happens next.
Looking For More?
We have a ton of fun and engaging writing prompts and resources to keep young writers interested and help their teachers keep them on the right track.
If you’re looking for something specific and can’t find it, reach out and let us know. We love to hear all of your wonderful ideas!
