5-Minute Daily Practice - Writing (NRevill v1)
5-Minute Daily Practice - Writing (NRevill v1)
5-Minute Daily Practice - Writing (NRevill v1)
Practice
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Scholastic Inc. grants teachers permission to photocopy the reproducible activity sheets in this book for classroom use. No other
part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc.,557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
ISBN: 0-439-26244-5
Copyright © 2003 by Marc Tyler Nobleman
All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc.
Printed in the U.S.A.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 40 09 08 07 06 05 04 03
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Co ntents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Persuasive Prompts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Descriptive Prompts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Expository Prompts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Narrative Prompts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
One-Sentence Starters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
One-Sentence Endings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 3
I n t ro d uc t io n
H ow can you help your
students become better
writers? One way is to provide
them with inspiring prompts.
This book makes it easy to do
that. You’ll find 180 prompts
sure to spark your students’
imaginations and make it
simple for you to include
writing as a part of the daily
schedule.
The prompts in this book are
designed to encourage students to try a
wide variety of writing styles. There are
expository, persuasive, descriptive, and narrative prompts.
You’ll also find one-sentence story starters and endings.
A section of longer starters and endings gives your
students a chance to use their critical-thinking skills
to figure out how to complete the story.
4 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
P e r su a si v e
Persuasive Prompts
Name:
Persuasive Prompts
Name:
Persuasive Prompts
Name:
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 5
P e r su a si v e
Persuasive Prompts
Name:
4. Do you think your lunch period is long
enough? How could you persuade your
school to make it longer?
Persuasive Prompts
Name:
5. Do you think that weekends should be longer? In your answer, include
persuasive reasons for extending weekends.
Persuasive Prompts
Name:
6. What picture book did you like best when you
were younger? Write about it in a way that would
convince kids in first grade to read it.
Persuasive Prompts
Name:
6 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
P e r su a si v e
Persuasive Prompts
Name:
Persuasive Prompts
Name:
9. You have just heard about a well-paying babysitting job. Write a persuasive
paragraph explaining why you would be an excellent choice for the job.
Persuasive Prompts
Name:
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 7
D e s cr i pt i v e
Descriptive Prompts
Name:
11. Make a list of five adjectives you could use to describe an ideal pet.
Then use the words to write a description of this pet.
Descriptive Prompts
Name:
12. What’s the worst movie you’ve seen
this year? Write a review of it.
Descriptive Prompts
Name:
13. What’s your favorite restaurant? Pretend you’re a restaurant critic. Write a
review of your favorite restaurant.
Descriptive Prompts
Name:
8 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
D e s cr i pt i v e
Descriptive Prompts
Name:
15. Describe the best birthday you’ve ever had.
Descriptive Prompts
Name:
16. Imagine an absolutely perfect day. Describe it.
Descriptive Prompts
Name:
17. Describe your very first friend. What was special about him or her?
Descriptive Prompts
Name:
18. Plan a surprise party for your best friend. Tell a story
about how you would make sure he or she was surprised.
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 9
E x p os i to r y
Descriptive Prompts
Name:
19. You just got a new puppy. You’ve only had it for
an hour when you realize it can do something no
other dog can do. Describe what it can do.
Descriptive Prompts
Name:
20. What is your dream job? Describe a day in your life while working at your
dream job.
Expository Prompts
Name:
10 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
E x p os i to r y
Expository Prompts
Name:
Expository Prompts
Name:
Expository Prompts
Name:
24. You just won $50,000! Describe how you would use the money.
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 11
E x p os i to r y
Expository Prompts
Name:
25. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you? Write about
it and explain why it was so embarrassing.
Expository Prompts
Name:
26. What holiday do you like the best? Explain what you do on that holiday and
why you like it best.
Expository Prompts
Name:
W E
12 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
E x p os i to r y
Expository Prompts
Name:
28. There’s a new student in your class from another country who’s never had a
peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Write step-by-step directions for the student
explaining how to make one.
Expository Prompts
Name:
Expository Prompts
Name:
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 13
N a r ra t iv e
Narrative Prompts
Name:
31. Write a mysterious story with this title: “The Strange Case of Ms. Beenie’s
Disappearing Chalkboard.”
Name:
Narrative Prompts
32. You find a magic stone on your way
home from school. When you rub the
stone, magical things happen. Tell a
story about what happens to you.
Name:
Narrative Prompts
33. Your aunt arrives with a huge box. You hear strange
noises coming from the box. Write a story about
what’s inside.
Name:
Narrative Prompts
34. You arrive at school one day and suddenly realize you’re invisible to your
teacher and your classmates. Describe what happens to you that day.
14 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
N a r ra t iv e
Narrative Prompts
Name:
Narrative Prompts
Name:
Narrative Prompts
Name:
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 15
N a r ra t iv e
Narrative Prompts
Name:
38. You win $200 in a contest! Write a story about how you use the money.
Narrative Prompts
Name:
39. Choose one character, one setting, and one plot from the choices below, and
then use your choices to tell a story.
Narrative Prompts
Name:
40. Your time machine has taken you 500 years into the future. Write a story about
what life is like at this future time.
16 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Life’s Most Embarrassing
Name: Moments
Starter
41. Forgetting My Own Birthday
I have a great memory. I know all the presidents of the United States, in order.
I could tell you the first and last names of all the kids in my school. I never forget
the birthday of anybody in my family. That’s why it’s so hard to believe that one
year, I actually forgot my own birthday!
At breakfast that day, my parents were acting a little weird. They probably
thought I was the one acting weird because I didn’t mention my birthday. I didn’t
know their big birthday surprise for me would happen after school.
When I walked into my classroom, there were birthday decorations everywhere.
My friends were ready to celebrate. Still, I didn’t think it was all for me. Finally,
I realized it was my birthday when . . .
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 17
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Life’s
Wacky
MostInterviews
Embarrassing
Name: Moments
Starter
Ending
43. Missing the Ball
. . . I was having a great game until that happened. In fact, I don’t
remember our team ever having played so well, which only made me more
frustrated.
The worst part about it was that there were only minutes left when I made
that mistake. And boy, was it a big one!
However, my teammates were nice about it. Andrew said, “We’re not mad
at you."
Cassie said, “It’s okay. We all miss the ball sometimes."
“Yeah," said Justin, “but none of us have ever done it in such a funny way!"
Life’s Weird
Most Embarrassing
History
Name: Moments
Starter
I was the only person who knew I had a secret crush on Chris,
or so I thought. Chris was new in school and very nice.
Imagine my shock when I found a note on the classroom floor that read
“Guess who likes Chris?" And there, underneath in big letters, was my name!
Who wrote that? I wondered. And how many people saw it? I started to worry
that a lot of people knew about my crush on Chris.
Luckily, everyone was on the playground when
I found the note, so I could get rid of it before
anyone else could see it. I turned to throw it out,
and standing right in front of me was . . .
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Life’s Most Embarrassing
Name: Moments
Ending
45. Milk Shot out of My Nose
. . . several more kids came into the principal’s office. I was
even more embarrassed now, but I also wanted to laugh.
Kevin’s shirt was covered with tomato sauce, and Mike’s
pants were splattered with something brown—maybe gravy?
Clumps of mashed potatoes were in Rachel’s hair, and I thought
I saw a piece or two of ravioli in Randi’s.
I couldn’t believe it had all started over a little carton of milk.
Alternate Universe
Weird History
Name: Holidays
Starter
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 19
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Alternate
Wacky Interviews
Universe
Name: Holidays
Starter
Starter
47. Independence Day
on Weird World
Americans celebrate Independence Day every Fourth of July. It’s a festive
time when we remember how hard our ancestors fought for the freedom to
run the new country themselves. The creatures on Weird World also celebrate
Independence Day, but not in July—they don’t even have a month called July!
Their Independence Day isn’t about freedom from another country, it’s about . . .
Alternate
Weird History
Universe
Name: Holidays
Starter
. . . just like they do every year on Family Day. When that’s done,
the family climbs into its crooked car together to begin the day’s final—
and most exciting—annual event: the Zigzag Race. As you probably guessed,
the race must be done in a zigzag
(like everything else in the
Zigzag Zone).
Family Day is a time to
be together, whether you
prefer moving in a straight
line or a crooked one!
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S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Alternate
Weird History
Universe
Name: Holidays
Ending
49. Halloween on Chura 5114 Starter
Alternate
Weird History
Universe
Name: Holidays
Starter
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 21
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Alternate
Wacky Interviews
Universe
Name: Holidays
Starter
51. Mother’s Day on Asteroid Amam Starter
Weird History
Name:
Wacky Interviews
Starter
World’s Oldest Person: They can look at my birth certificate! It’s written by hand.
World’s Oldest Person: If you do all of the things to stay young and fit that I just
told you about, some of you might even beat my record someday.
22 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
Wacky Interviews
World’s Fastest Runner: Faster than a turtle but slower than a cheetah.
World’s Fastest Runner: I don’t remember this, of course, but my parents tell me that
it was right after I was born. When I was only a few weeks old, they noticed that I . . .
Name:
Wacky Interviews
World’s Bravest Person: Yes, I was, but I didn’t let my fear get to me.
Interviewer: That shows that you truly deserve the title “World’s Bravest Person."
World’s Bravest Person: Thank you, but I’ve seen many brave people. I’m only one
of them.
Interviewer: Still, what you did that day was remarkable. It took amazing courage.
I’m sure it will be very inspiring to everyone reading this.
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 23
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
Wacky Interviews
World’s Smartest Child: Smart enough to know that I don’t believe that title! I’m
flattered, but there are so many smart kids in the world. How could anyone compare
us all?
Interviewer: Why did people start calling you the “World's Smartest Child"?
Interviewer: What was the first book you read, and how old were you?
World’s Smartest Child: Believe it or not, the first book I read was . . .
Name:
Weird History
24 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
Weird History
Name:
Weird History
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S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
Weird History
Name:
Weird History
26 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
Weird History
Weird History
Name:
On the Job With a . . .
Starter
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 27
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
On the Job With a . . .
Name:
On the Job With a . . .
28 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
On the Job With a . . .
My school bus drove by the space lab every day, and I always
wanted to visit. My friend’s father knew a scientist there named
Mr. Sapper. I wrote him an e-mail asking if I could see the lab
sometime. Minutes later, Mr. Sapper wrote back: “Yes!"
The night before my visit, I couldn’t sleep. I stared out the
window at the stars.
I got the feeling that the stars were alive. There must be
more than twinkling lights out there! I didn’t want to ask Mr.
Sapper what he thought. He might think I’m crazy.
At the lab, everything looked so complicated. While Mr.
Sapper explained how they figured out how to build the rockets
I couldn’t help but think about the stars I saw the night before. I decided
to ask him if he thought there were other living things somewhere else in the universe.
“Good question. I used to think not, but since I started working here . . ."
Name:
On the Job With a . . .
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 29
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Wacky Interviews
Name:
On the Job With a . . .
Starter
67. Skyscraper Window Washer Starter
30 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
Did You See That?
Name:
Did You See That?
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 31
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
Did You See That?
. . . and that’s why we ran for our lives! Well, that might be an
exaggeration, but we sure were scared. Nobody looked back until we
got to the front porch, and when we looked then, it was gone.
All three of us went inside and immediately looked in the book that
the strange, old man had given us earlier.
“Did you see that?" Rachel said.
“We never should have gone in that cave," Julie said.
“But that’s why we went out there! We wanted to see if it really exists,"
Rachel said.
Flipping through the pages, we found the right picture.
“Yes, that’s it. That’s what it was," Julie said.
“I like it much better on paper than in person," I said.
Name:
Did You See That?
32 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
Did You See That?
Weird History
Name:
Did You See That?
Starter
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 33
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Overheard
Wacky Interviews
the Strangest
Name: Starter
Thing
74. In a Movie Line Starter
Overheard
Weird the
History
Strangest
Name: Starter
Thing
34 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
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Overheard
Weirdthe
History
Strangest
Name: Ending
Thing
76. In a Hotel Elevator Starter
I was eight years old when I first went into an elevator. Since I
lived in a small town, the buildings were only a few stories tall and didn’t
have elevators. But my family was on vacation in New York City, where it seems
like every building has them!
After a long day of sightseeing, my parents were very tired. They plopped on
the bed to rest.
“Let’s call room service for a snack," my mom said.
“May I go downstairs to get it instead?" I asked. I wanted to ride the elevator
as much as possible.
My parents said okay. The building had 40 floors and we were on the 32nd.
If there were a lot of people in the elevator, it could be a long ride down.
But there were only two women in the elevator, and they were both hotel
employees. We all smiled and said, “hi,” then I started watching the numbers drop
lower and lower.
One of the women said, “Now you’ll believe me when you hear about the
elephant on the 40th floor." The other woman laughed.
I couldn’t believe what I'd just heard! As soon as we got to the lobby, I
pretended to exit the elevator, but then I got right back in Weird History
and pressed the button
for the 40th floor. Starter
When the doors opened on the top floor, the first thing I saw was . . .
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 35
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Overheard
Wacky Interviews
the Strangest
Name: Starter
Thing
77. On the Beach Starter
Overheard
Weird the
History
Strangest
Name: Starter
Thing
36 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
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Overheard
Weirdthe
History
Strangest
Name: Ending
Thing
79. In the Principal’s Office Starter
I was sitting in the principal’s office, but it’s not what you’re thinking.
I wasn’t sent there because of bad behavior. I was there to interview our
principal, Mr. Whitfield, for a school project.
We were supposed to meet at 11 A.M., but it was already 11:10. Mr. Whitfield was
usually very punctual, so I figured there had to be a good reason that he was late.
At 11:15, his assistant, Ms. Konareski, peeked into his office and then came over to
me. “He should be right with you," she said. “He’s just finishing up another meeting."
At 11:20, Mr. Whitfield and another man I've never seen before came out of his
office, walking quickly into a meeting room. All I heard was the other man say, “If
your idea works, then lunch and recess will become the students’ least favorite parts
of the school day!"
Suddenly, Mr. Whitfield popped back out and came over to me. “Sorry I’ve kept
you waiting," he said politely. “I promise I’ll be ready by 11:30. Is that okay?"
“Sure," I said. He thanked me and rushed back into the meeting room.
That gave me ten more minutes to try to figure out what they were talking
about. My best guess was . . .
Weird History
Starter
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 37
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Stories Our Grandparents
Name: Told
80. The Day We Got Electricity Ending
. . . that’s why they didn’t think it would work. Like a lot of other
people in 1900, my great-grandpa Frank was used to reading by
gaslight.
“For hundreds of years—thousands even—people read by
the light of a fire, and I don’t see why that should change now!"
he said.
My great-grandma Bertha said, “If you feel that way, maybe
we should move out of our house. Our ancestors lived in caves."
Then she giggled.
Grandpa Frank tried not to laugh, but he couldn’t help it. “You’re right.
Let’s take a look at this thing again," he said, taking something out of a bag.
He held it up to Grandma Bertha.
“It’s called a light bulb," he said.
38 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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a n d En d in gs
Stories
Weird
Our History
Grandparents
Name: Ending
Told
82. Old-Time Blizzard Ending
Stories
Weird
Our History
Grandparents
Name: Starter
Told
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 39
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Stories
Wacky
OurInterviews
Grandparents
Name: Starter
Told
84. Meeting the President Starter
At least once a year, my dad would hear a certain story from his
dad. Now I hear that same story at least once a year from my dad! It’s a great story.
When my granddad was a little boy, his dad (my great-granddad) took him to
the big city. Neither of them had ever been to any big city before, so it was quite
a treat to visit Washington, D.C.
The first site they wanted to see was the White House. They didn’t know what
the White House looked like until they got there because they had never seen a
picture of it in the newspaper, which was one of the only ways people got
information back then.
Most people didn’t have cameras in those days, so my great-granddad drew
a picture of the White House, which my dad still has.
“Do you think we’ll get to see President Roosevelt?" my granddad asked.
“I would guess not," my great-granddad said. “Too hot out for the President to
be walking about, don’t you think?"
“No, I don’t think so," my granddad said. “I think it’s perfect out."
“I agree with the young man," a voice behind them said. They turned and
saw . . .
Weird History
Starter
40 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Stories
Weird
Our History
Grandparents
Name: Ending
Told
85. Landing at Ellis Island Starter
Weird History
Starter
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 41
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
The Number One Rule
Name:
The Number One Rule
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a n d En d in gs
Name:
The Number One Rule
Name:
The Number One Rule
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 43
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Wacky Interviews
Name:
The Number One Rule
Starter
90. Write Down Phone Messages Ending
“. . . he never showed up!" my dad said. “I drove all the way there, but
Steve never showed up. I’d been looking forward to meeting him all week."
I thought about how excited my dad had been to meet Steve, and why.
“I don’t believe it!" my mom said. “He didn’t even call to let you know he
couldn’t make it."
That’s the part that made me want to leave the room. My dad and mom
didn’t know that Steve actually did call, but my dad never got the message.
Oops . . . I had to be honest, otherwise my dad would be angry with Steve.
Steve didn’t do anything wrong. I did.
“Uh, Dad," I said. “Remember the other day, when I had a lot of homework?"
“Yes . . . ," he said.
“I was so busy that I . . . well, Steve actually did call a few days ago, and I did
write it down . . . only I forgot to give it to you.”
I’m sure you can guess my dad’s reaction, and this is, of course, why the
number one rule at our house now is: “WRITE DOWN ALL PHONE MESSAGES—AND
DELIVER THEM."
Weird History
Starter
44 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
S t a rt e rs
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Name:
The Number One Rule
5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 45
S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
Dream Jobs
Name:
Dream Jobs
46 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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a n d En d in gs
Name:
Dream Jobs
Name:
Dream Jobs
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S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Name:
Dream Jobs
Name:
Dream Jobs
48 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
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Name:
Landed on Your Street
. . . but we never thought it was a hot air balloon!" I told the balloonist.
“Yes, they sound much louder than people think," she said. “It’s even
scarier if you’re caught off guard!"
By now, lots of our neighbors had come out to the street
to see what all the fuss was about. In a small town like
ours, it’s not every day you see what we just saw.
Soon a flatbed truck pulled onto our street.
“That’s my ride home," the balloonist said. “My
team followed me on the ground."
“They can fit this huge balloon in that little truck?"
my friend Meredith asked.
“It has to be folded first. Do you guys want to help me
pack up the balloon?"
“We’d love to!" I said.
Name:
Landed on Your Street
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S t a rt e rs
a n d En d in gs
Wacky Interviews
Name:
Landed on Your Street
Starter
100. Injured Bird Ending
“. . . you did the right thing to call us," the woman said. She said a lot
of birds get hurt every day, but a lot of people don’t know that they
can call an animal protection office like hers for help.
My brother and I watched her carefully lift the little bird
with special gloves and put him in a box with air holes and
water.
“We named him already," I said. “When we saw
him get hurt, I felt sad, but he seemed strong—like a
little Hercules. So we called him Hercules."
“I'm sure Hercules will be very happy when you
come visit him at the animal hospital," she said.
My brother said, “And soon, he’ll back on his feet—uh,
wings—again!"
Weird History
Name:
Landed on Your Street
Starter
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One-Sentence Starters
103. Ed knew exactly where to go; he just didn’t know how to get there.
104. Not everyone has an elf living in his closet, but my best friend does.
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108. “Tell me a story about when you were a little kid," I asked
the President of the United States.
110. “That’s weird," Caroline said, “I had the exact same dream last night."
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112. Three words were written on the blackboard—and they made us all groan.
113. When I opened my e-mail, the first words I saw were, “You have 403 new
messages."
114. The phone rang and someone knocked on the door at the same time.
115. We weren’t having a blackout, yet none of the electrical devices in our house
worked.
117. I saw someone in the store that looked just like my best friend from kindergarten.
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118. I knew the zoo's rule: “Don’t feed the animals," and I wish I had respected it.
121. Joel practiced guitar every day after school, but not because he
wanted to be a rock star.
122. My best friend and I decided that we’d trade places for a day.
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124. As my mom took the old painting off the wall, a dusty
envelope that had been hidden behind it fell to the floor.
125. Jake searched his room to find things he could donate to charity.
127. Tonight I found out that my cousin Kevin isn’t really my cousin at all.
128. The dog ran up to the biggest tree in the area and began barking.
129. “Five of you will stay here, and four of you will come with me," the leader said.
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S t a rt e rs
131. Dan lit a candle and said, “I think we’re all going to be here for a while."
132. Diana looked up “human" in the dictionary and was shocked when she couldn't find
the word there.
133. Lucy was acting weird all day long, much weirder than cats usually do.
134. Tyler looked at the obstacle course with fear in his eyes.
135. “Raise your hand if you’re ready for this test," our teacher said.
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136. “I’ve been to every state but one," Tawana said, “and I’ll never go there."
137. We found the perfect spot for our picnic—that is, until we realized we were
trespassing.
138. Mitch had to deliver the letter before sunset, but the gate was locked.
139. Just as my dad was about to light a fire, something flew down the chimney and into
the family room.
140. Ever since I ate that apple, I haven’t been able to stop sneezing.
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En d in gs
One-Sentence Endings
141. Luckily, the rain didn’t come until the whole thing was over.
142. Only two of us had gone in, but three of us came out.
143. “I told you it wouldn’t work no matter what you tried," Rick said.
144. “The second and third wishes worked out great, but I wish I
could take back my first wish," Darlia said to the genie.
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145. As they cracked the door open nervously, they discovered the room was empty
except for one red marble.
146. When Meg got home, the bike she thought was stolen
was lying on the lawn.
149. For the first time all day, everyone smiled—even me.
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152. Sixty people showed up, and every one of them was named “Paul."
153. There was a time when my dad would have thought it was funny, but not anymore.
155. “We'd better play a different game next time," Isabella said.
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159. The whole family went around the neighborhood to take down the “Lost Dog"
flyers together.
160. Steve looked me straight in the eye and said, “My real name is Gordon."
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163. After rereading the e-mail about ten times, I took a deep
breath and clicked on “Send."
164. We decided we'd had enough of the future and reset the time machine to visit
the past.
165. The race proved who was faster, but it proved something else as well.
166. “That’s why I didn’t tell you the truth from the beginning," Ms. Sloane said.
168. In the morning, I not only felt like a whole new person, I literally was a new person.
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171. Then we understood why our teacher had been so grumpy all week.
172. “I’ve changed my mind," Alina said. “I think I’d rather be an pilot instead."
173. When my parents weren’t looking, the waiter winked at me and I winked back.
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176. Gerard almost caught it, but it escaped at the last second.
179. When the smell of burnt toast came from the kitchen, I knew everything was back
to normal.
64 5-Minute Daily Practice: Writing © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources