The truth shall set you free! These 10 free 5th grade writing prompts take an ethical turn by focusing on the subject of truth. It can be difficult in elementary school to fit in all of the different subjects that should be taught and the instruction of values may get the short end of the stick. Here are some prompts that can help to teach students the value of truth over lies.
You may notice that the numbers on this page do not start at 1 and work their way up. This is because these 10 5th grade writing prompts are an excerpt from my book, 500 Writing Prompts for Kids: First Grade through Fifth Grade. If you like these free samples, the full version is available in both digital and paperback form.
5th Grade Writing Prompts #3: Truth
351. Some people say that even a little lie grows bigger the more you tell it. What do you think that means? What is an example of a little lie that might grow to be huge if it’s told a bunch of times?
352. Have you ever told a lie? If so, what was it and did you get in trouble for it? How did it make you feel? If not, imagine a story in which you told a big lie to someone important to you and you had to deal with the consequences.
353. What are five reasons that it is not a good idea to lie about things? What do you think the biggest reason is that people should tell the truth instead?
354. What are five ways in which that people who lie might get in trouble? Have you ever seen anyone get in trouble for a lie in the news or on television?
355. Imagine that you told a big lie and everybody found out the truth. How do you think your parents would feel? How would your friends feel about the lie? Would people think twice about trusting you again?
356. What are five of the benefits of telling the truth all the time? When you tell the truth more often, how do you think people look at you differently from someone who they know is a liar?
357. Imagine that you had a friend who was a big liar and lied about everything from his parents’ jobs to the size of his house. What are a few things that you might say to him to get him to stop lying and start telling the truth? Remember to try to not hurt his feelings in the process.
358. Write a story about a boy or girl who lied all day long about everything possible. This child told lies to parents, friends, teachers and everybody else he or she could find. What happens to the child to make him or her stop lying so much?
359. One of the meanings of truth is to be “true to yourself." This means that you should know who you are deep down and to not do things that are wrong for you. An example of not being “true to yourself" is a nice person bullying a friend to become more popular. Write about a time where you were true to yourself and a time where you were the opposite.
360. Hundreds of years ago, you could get in major trouble for telling scientific truths, which could even result in death. People who claimed that the earth moved around the sun (and not the other way around) were told to keep quiet and keep the truth to themselves. Why do you think it was so hard for society to accept new ideas of truth back then?
Done with 5th Grade Writing Prompts? Go back to Creative Writing Prompts.
Use the above prompts or article as inspiration to write a story or other short piece.
