We all know how powerful a great writing prompt can be. The right image or opening sentence can spark an idea, introduce an intriguing character and help even the most reluctant writer get something onto the page.
That is why we created Pobble. Made by teachers, it offers a calendar of inspiring images and story starters to help primary students talk, imagine and write. Each day, teachers can use a free prompt with an image, a story starter and discussion questions. A subscription opens up the full calendar, along with additional writing activities and different levels to suit your class.
But finding a prompt that fits the genre or writing focus you are teaching is not always easy. Whether your class is writing an adventure, creating a mysterious setting or experimenting with diaries, instructions and newspaper reports, we have gathered some of our favourite Pobble prompts to help:
Adventure writing: Adventure Bear:
The bear had always dreamed of reaching the City of Gold. As he climbed higher into the mountains, his mind raced with excitement about the adventure ahead. What challenges might he face along the way? Will he reach the mysterious city, and what will he find when he gets there? Can your class continue the adventure?
See the writing activities that accompany Adventure Bear.
Fantasy writing: The Magic Library:
When a book transports its reader to a land filled with dragons and knights, an ordinary visit to the library becomes an extraordinary quest. Where has the book taken her? How does its magic work? Most importantly, will she be able to find her way home? Can your class continue the story?
See the writing activities that accompany The Magic Library.
Fairytale writing: The Dragon Princess:
On her birthday, Princess Lila receives a gift like no other: a large, shimmering dragon egg. Legends say that the rare dragon inside will bond only with someone who is pure of heart. As the egg begins to crack, the whole kingdom holds its breath. Can your class continue the fairytale and reveal what happens when the dragon emerges?
See the writing activities that accompany The Dragon Princess.
Mystery writing: Mystery Machine:
A mysterious machine has been discovered, but nobody knows who built it or what it is designed to do. What happens when someone touches it? Could it be dangerous? Perhaps one brave character is about to uncover its secret. Can your class solve the mystery and continue the story?
See the writing activities that accompany Mystery Machine.
Science-fiction writing: City in Space:
An ancient city has been discovered on the distant planet of Semagor. Now, humans are preparing to make first contact with the extraordinary world and whoever might live there. Who built the city? What technology will the explorers discover? Will its inhabitants welcome the human visitors? Can your class write what happens next?
See the writing activities that accompany City in Space.
Myths and legends: The Rainbow Troll:
A mysterious legend whispers of a Rainbow Troll whose touch can fill the world with colour. Where did the troll come from? Why does it possess this unusual power? Perhaps the colours are beginning to disappear and only the troll can save them. Can your class create their own version of the legend?
See the writing activities that accompany The Rainbow Troll.
Spooky stories: The Old Railroad:
People have told stories about the ghost train for years. Now, a shriek can be heard through the mist and something appears to be moving along the abandoned tracks. Is the ghost train returning? Who, or what, is on board? Can your class build the suspense and continue the spooky story?
See the writing activities that accompany The Old Railroad.
Historical fiction: The Man in the Hat:
A grumpy, dishevelled man stands in a tattered coat and a worn-out hat. His appearance raises plenty of questions. Who is he, where has he come from and what might he be hiding? The image has a wonderfully old-fashioned atmosphere, making it an effective starting point for historical fiction. Choose the period in which the story will take place and give students the historical context they need before they begin. Can your class bring the mysterious man and his world to life?
See the writing activities that accompany The Man in the Hat.
Using creative prompts for different writing purposes
Pobble prompts are built around imaginative images and story starters, but the ideas they generate do not have to become stories. They can also provide an engaging context for practising different writing forms, including instructions, diaries, letters, reports and persuasive speeches. The examples below are creative starting points rather than ready-made lessons for each text type. The teacher introduces the purpose, audience and relevant writing features, while the Pobble prompt provides the image, vocabulary and ideas.
Instruction writing inspired by Powerful Potions:
What would your students put into a magical potion? What would it do, and who might use it? After exploring the prompt, ask students to write a clear set of instructions explaining how to make their potion. This provides a fun context for teaching imperative verbs, numbered steps, time connectives and precise quantities.
Recount writing inspired by The Expedition:
Eva and Jay are preparing to explore the secrets of Futuretown. The adventure gives students a sequence of memorable events that they can retell from one character’s point of view. Ask them to imagine that the expedition has already happened and write a fictional first-person recount. Encourage them to organise events chronologically and include their character’s thoughts and reactions.
Diary writing inspired by A Dangerous Pet:
Meeting a giant creature on an island holiday would certainly be a day worth recording. Students could write a fictional diary entry from Isla’s point of view, describing the moment she met the enormous animal. This is a useful opportunity to explore first-person writing, past tense, personal reflection and informal language.
Letter writing inspired by The Magic Letter:
Hakim discovers a dusty old envelope filled with glowing stars and whispers of secret worlds. Instead of continuing the story, ask students to write the letter he finds. Who sent it? What does it reveal? Does it contain an invitation, a warning or a request for help? You can adapt the task to practise either informal or formal letter-writing conventions.
Newspaper writing inspired by Atlantis:
The drowning of Atlantis is a dramatic event with everything students need for a fictional newspaper report. They could create a headline, organise the known facts into an opening paragraph and include eyewitness quotations. The prompt’s digital challenge also suggests turning the discussion questions into a newspaper front cover.
Report writing inspired by The Tomb:
An ancient Egyptian tomb filled with chambers, artefacts and unanswered questions provides a rich subject for a fictional non-chronological report. Ask students to organise their imagined findings under subheadings, such as the discovery of the tomb, its contents and its possible owner. Make it clear that they are writing as if the discovery were real, while applying the usual structure and language of a report.
Explanation writing inspired by Volcano:
The dramatic image in Volcano can lead into genuine factual writing about how and why volcanoes erupt.
Use the prompt to generate questions and vocabulary before asking students to research the science using reliable sources. They can then write an explanation using technical language, causal conjunctions and a clear sequence.
Persuasive writing inspired by The Magic Tree:
The last remaining tree offers hope in a world that has been almost completely destroyed. Ask students to imagine that the tree is under threat and write a persuasive speech calling for its protection. Who are they trying to persuade? What might happen if nobody acts? This imaginative scenario provides a meaningful context for rhetorical questions, emotive language, evidence and calls to action.
Balanced discussions inspired by The Secret Library:
In Barrowtown, books are forbidden. But could there ever be a good reason to ban a book? This fictional situation can open a thoughtful classroom discussion about access to books and information. Students could explore different viewpoints before writing a balanced response to a carefully chosen question. For older students, you could extend the activity by introducing appropriate real-world examples and reliable evidence.
Looking for another genre, topic or writing focus? Explore Pobble’s calendar to find a prompt that fits your class. Many prompts can be used in more than one way, so you can choose a writing outcome that suits what you are teaching. Explore writing prompts on Pobble:
