December is such a fun month for writing time, and these December Writing Journal Prompts make it incredibly easy to keep students engaged all month long. From Christmas themed picture prompts to how to writing, lists, narratives, and even a letter to Santa, this pack gives young writers everything they need to practice essential skills in a low stress, confidence building way.
In this post, you’ll find a simple guide to using the prompts, ideas for classroom routines, a closer look at what is included in the resource, and several free sample pages you can download to try with your students.
Step by Step Guide to Using December Writing Prompts
Begin by choosing one page per day and placing it on desks as a writing warm up. This encourages students to settle into a predictable routine and strengthens independence as they start writing right away. Students quickly learn that writing time begins as soon as they enter the room.
Encourage your students to draw first so they can think through their ideas visually. This supports younger writers who need time to generate vocabulary. After they draw, guide them to write simple sentences that match their picture.
Tip: Offer sentence starters or vocabulary cards for extra support.
Introduce the how to writing pages during a mini lesson. Model how to break a task into simple steps and explain why procedural writing helps readers understand instructions clearly.
Tip: Bring in real items like wrapping paper, ornaments, or cookie cutters to make the experience hands on.
Use the opinion writing pages in small groups to give students time to talk before writing. Oral language helps them form stronger sentences with reasons.
Tip: Encourage the use of “because” to support explanations.
Narrative writing pages are wonderful for storytelling days. Students study the picture, imagine what might happen next, and create a short story. This helps them build sequencing skills and connect ideas from beginning to end.
Tip: Invite students to tell their story aloud first. It boosts confidence and helps clarify their ideas before writing.
Free Sample Pages from the December Writing Journal Prompts
To help you get started, I’ve included a set of free sample pages from the December Writing Journal Prompts that you can download and use immediately. These pages offer a mix of sequencing, labeling, vocabulary, sentence writing, and narrative storytelling so you can see how easily the prompts support independence and creativity.
The sample set is perfect for morning work, writing centers, small group lessons, or a quick December mini-lesson.
What’s Inside the Free Sample Download
The free download includes five pages from the full pack:
• How to Wrap a Gift
A procedural writing page with First, Next, Then, and Last steps. This helps students learn sequencing and introduces them to how to writing in a scaffolded format.
• If a Gingerbread Man Jumped Out of the Oven…
A playful narrative starter that encourages imaginative writing. Students draw their idea in the top box before completing the sentence and writing more independently.
• Label the Gingerbread Man
A vocabulary building activity that reinforces labeling skills and content vocabulary such as hat, scarf, boots, and candy cane. Students love the simple structure and clear organization.
• Santa and Reindeer Story Starter
A picture prompt showing Santa and his reindeer tangled in lights. Students write their own story to match the picture, strengthening narrative development.
• Santa Wears…
A clothing vocabulary writing page that supports descriptive writing. Students reference the picture word bank and complete the sentence before adding details.
These sample pages give you a wonderful look at the variety and structure inside the full December Writing Journal Prompts resource, making it easy to try them in your classroom before purchasing the complete packet.
What’s Included in the December Writing Journal Prompts
The full set includes a wide range of writing types designed to support different levels of writers throughout the month. You can use them in order, mix and match, or build your own December writing journal.
Draw and Label Prompts
- Santa in his sleigh
- Gingerbread man
- Snowman
List Writing Pages
- Reindeer games
- Candies for decorating gingerbread houses
- Things to do in the snow
How To Writing (with and without picture support)
- Decorate a Christmas tree
- Wrap a gift
- Make cookies
Picture Prompts
- Favorite Christmas activities
- Stocking ideas
- Santa clothing
- Gingerbread decorating
- Winter clothing and activities
- Helpful holiday actions
Opinion Writing
- Reindeer or elf
- North Pole or tropical island
- Real tree or artificial tree
- Favorite holiday movie
- Naughty or nice list predictions
- Will we have a white Christmas
Narrative Writing
- Santa decorating a reindeer
- Gingerbread man running away
- Snowball fight picture
- Sleigh ride starter
- Hot chocolate sensory writing
- Chimney problem solving
Extras
- December acrostic poem
- Letter to Santa
- Additional handwriting lines page
Educational Benefits of December Writing Prompts
Using the December Writing Journal Prompts supports:
- Sentence building and early grammar
- Vocabulary expansion through holiday and winter topics
- Fine motor practice through writing and drawing
- Narrative thinking and story sequencing
- Opinion writing with reasons
- Procedural writing and step by step organization
- Confidence as young writers see growth throughout the month
- Independence during centers and morning work
These prompts give students purposeful writing practice while still feeling fun and seasonal.
Classroom Ideas for December Writing
Use the prompts as morning work to create a calm, structured start to your day. Students enter, settle, and begin writing right away.
Create a December writing center by placing a stack of prompts in a tray or binder. Choice can increase motivation, especially during a busy month.
Build an ongoing December Writing Journal by stapling student pages together. This creates a wonderful keepsake for families.
Tip: Add a cover page and date each entry to show progress.
Pair the writing prompts with Christmas read alouds to help students build vocabulary and story understanding before writing.
The December Writing Journal Prompts give you everything you need for structured, engaging, and meaningful writing practice throughout the month. With a mix of lists, narratives, procedural writing, opinions, vocabulary, and creative story starters, your students will have endless opportunities to grow as writers.
Purchase the December Writing Journal Prompts
If you would like to purchase the complete 45-page December Writing Journal Prompts packet, click on either store link below.
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I’m interested in the product!
This looks like a great resource.
Love all Lavinia pop resources
Thanks for sharing. I love teaching writing to my students with fun learning writing prompts.