February Writing Prompts

Students writing in class
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February can be a tough month for many students with very few if any days off. Some school districts across the nation do not take President's Day off. Following is a list of themes and writing prompts for each day of February. These can be used any way you see fit in your class. They are great as warm-ups or journal entries.

February Holidays

  • American Heart Month
  • Black History Month
  • Children's Dental Health Month
  • International Friendship Month
  • Responsible Pet Owner's Month

Writing Prompt Ideas for February

February 1 - Theme: National Freedom Day

On this day in 1865, Abraham Lincoln signed the Amendment that would outlaw enslavement once it was ratified. If enslavement was outlawed with the 13th amendment, why were amendments 14 and 15 needed?

February 2 - Theme: Groundhog Day

According to weather data kept since 1887, the groundhog at Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has only been accurate 39% of the time. Why do Americans still celebrate this day even though its accuracy is so low?

February 3 - Theme: Elmo's Birthday (Sesame Street Character)

What was your favorite television program as a small child? Which characters do you remember most? Why?

February 4 - Theme: Rosa Park's Birthday

Pretend you were Rosa Parks in 1955. What would you have felt like as you decided not to give up your seat to a White man?

February 5 - Theme: National Weatherperson's Day

Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere, especially as it relates to the weather. Do you think that being a weatherperson would be a difficult job? Why or why not?

February 6 - Theme: Monopoly First Sold

What is your favorite board game? Explain why you like it.

February 7 - Theme: Charles Dickens' Birthday

In the past, individuals who did not have the money to pay their bills were thrown in debtor's prison, a theme which is key in many of Charles Dickens' novels. Do you think that this is an appropriate punishment for not being able to pay off your bills? Why or why not?

February 8 - Theme: Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts (Officially Boy Scout Day)

Were or are you a boy or girl scout? If so, what did you think of your experiences as a scout? If not, do you wish that you had participated in the scouts? Why or why not?

February 9 - Theme: Chocolate (Founding of Hershey's Chocolate)

Describe your favorite candy bar. You can choose to do this as prose or as poetry.

February 10 - Theme: Chinese New Year

In the western calendar, a leap day happens every four years. However, in the Chinese calendar, a leap month happens about every three years. Come up with and explain at least three issues that might arise if the west decided to use this calendar instead of the one that is currently in use.

February 11 - Theme: National Inventor's Day

Have you ever come up with an idea for an invention? If so, describe it. If not, what do you think is the best invention of the 20th century.

February 12 - Theme: Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

Abraham Lincoln said, "Most folks are as happy as they make up their mind to be." What do you think he meant by that quote? Do you think it's true?

February 13 - Theme: International Friendship Month

Do you have any friends that live in another country? If so, explain how you became friends. If not, if you were to become a penpal with someone from a foreign country, which country would you choose? Why?

February 14 - Theme: Valentine's Day

Who do you care about the most? Why do you care for them so much? Explain.

February 15 - Theme: Susan B. Anthony's Birthday

At the time that women's suffrage passed, there were many women who argued against giving women the right to vote. Why do you think this was?

February 16 - Theme: American Heart Month

What do you do to lead a healthy lifestyle? What do you think you could improve on (e.g., eat better, exercise more, etc.)?

February 17 - Theme: Random Acts of Kindness Day

Have you ever performed a random act of kindness? If so, explain what you did and why. If not, come up with a random act that you can perform later today and explain your plan.

February 18 - Theme: Pluto Discovered

Would you ever consider going on a trip to the moon? Why or why not?

February 19 - Theme: Phonograph was Patented

How do you buy and listen to music today? How does this differ from the way your parents did it? In your opinion, how have these changes affected music and the music industry?

February 20 - Theme: Responsible Pet Owner's Month

Do you or does your family own a pet? If so, what type of pet is it? What are the pros and cons of owning a pet?

February 21 - Theme: Washington Monument Dedicated

Have you ever been to Washington, D.C.? Why do you think that the nation has created monuments like the Washington Monument or the Jefferson Memorial? Do you think they are important symbols? Why or why not?

February 22 - Theme: George Washington's Birthday

The story that George Washington could not lie when asked if he cut down a cherry tree is not true. It was written after his death. Explain why you think a biography might create a story like this when writing about someone famous who they admire.

February 23 - Theme: Iwo Jima Day

Do you think that you would like to join the military at some point in the future? Why or why not?

February 24 - Theme: Andrew Johnson's Impeachment

Three presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump. However, no president has actually been removed from office. It only takes a simple majority of the House of Representatives to be impeached (or basically found guilty of a crime). However, it takes 2/3 of the Senate to remove a president from office. Explain why you think the founding fathers made this so difficult?

February 25 - Theme: Paper Currency

What are the pros and cons of having paper currency instead of carrying around coins made of gold, silver, or some other precious metal?

February 26 - Theme: Grand Canyon Established

Why is it important for the national government to protect and manage natural treasures such as the Grand Canyon?

February 27 - Theme: National Strawberry Day

What is your favorite fruit? What do you like about it? If you do not like any fruit, explain why not.

February 28 - Theme: Republican Party Founded

Which political party do you think represents your views the most? Why do you think this is so?

February 29 - Theme: Leap Day

Explain how a person could logically claim that they have only had 8 birthdays when they are actually 32 years old.

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Your Citation
Kelly, Melissa. "February Writing Prompts." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/february-writing-prompts-8471. Kelly, Melissa. (2023, April 5). February Writing Prompts. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/february-writing-prompts-8471 Kelly, Melissa. "February Writing Prompts." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/february-writing-prompts-8471 (accessed March 29, 2024).