20 Back to School Writing Prompts

Want to go beyond the classic, "What I Did Over Summer Vacation" essay? Try some of these writing prompts. 

1. Who is someone you spent a lot of time with this summer? Describe this person.
2. Where did you go this summer that you have never been before?
3. How did you spend Independence Day?
4. Where did you spend most of your time this summer? Describe this place.
5. What was your favorite activity from the summer? Why did you like it so much?
6. What was you least favorite part of the summer? Why?
7. What is one important thing you learned this summer? How did you learn it?
8. What is something you did this summer that you are proud of?
9. Describe something you did this summer that involved water.
10. Describe something you did this summer with a large group of people.
11. Write about something you did this summer in nature.
12. Write about something you did this summer to stay cool.
13. Write about something you did this summer to earn money.
14. Write about something you did this summer that you have never done before.
15. Write five words that describe your summer. Then tell why you choose each word.
16. Write about something you made this summer.
17. Write about something that made you angry or upset this summer.
18. Write about a time when you had good luck this summer
19. Write about a book you read this summer.
20. Write about a party or other special event you attended this summer.

You may want to put your favorites into a choice grid and have your students each choose three prompts to write over the course of a week. Many of them would also make make good discussion starters.

Got more ideas to add to the list? Please comment.