I have found that much of what our children need to learn in English can be achieved by daily copywork and daily writing. If they are exposed to excellent literature and Scripture in their copywork, it will be easier for them to produce solid writing. I thought it would be fun to provide some writing prompts for our children. Completely free writing can be overwhelming for some children. Instead, give them a direction to head to.

Here are some fun writing prompts:

• Describe your perfect fall day from morning to bedtime. What would you do, see, and smell?
• Write about the daily adventures of an animal you would often see in the fall, such as a squirrel, owl or deer.
• Write a story about a single leaf traveling from its tree branch all the way to the ground. Try to use several unique verbs.
• The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and something exciting is about to happen—write what happens next!
• Imagine you own a cozy apple orchard. Describe the different parts of harvesting and decide which one is your favorite.
• Describe how the forest changes from summer to fall. Use all five senses.
• Create a poem about the sounds of autumn—rustling leaves, crackling fires, and geese flying overhead.
• Write about your favorite part of autumn in a letter to a friend.

Here are some more spiritual prompts:

• Just as leaves fall from trees, sometimes we need to let go of things that aren’t good for us. What might you need to “let go” of this season?
• Fall is a time of harvest. What kind of “spiritual fruit” do you want to grow in your life this year? Use Galatians 5:22-23 for help.
• Imagine you’re helping to gather food for Sukkot. How does it feel to prepare and give thanks for what YHVH has provided?
• Describe your sukkah—what does it look like, who is there, and what do you talk about together?
• The Bible often talks about seasons. Write about how you see YHVH’s faithfulness in the changing seasons around you.
• What lessons can we learn from watching animals prepare for winter? How can that remind us to be wise and diligent?
• Write a thank-you letter to YHVH for something in nature that you appreciate most during fall.
• In Torah, we are told to rejoice during Sukkot. What are three ways you can show joy during this season?
• Write about a time you helped someone, just like gathering in the harvest helps everyone in the community.

Feel free to tailor your expectations to each individual child. A very young child may enjoy drawing a picture and dictating their thoughts to you. Older children can be expected to write anywhere from a paragraph to a page. Be sure to check their work. I underline any misspelled words, write the correct spelling at the bottom, and have them copy it three times. Point out punctuation, such as missing periods. Just make sure you only hold them accountable for what they have learned so far.