30 Days Of Back To School Prompts
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Creative Writing Prompts For Parenting How-To Articles
Take an idea below, modify it, change, it, or expand on it. But whatever you do, don’t stop until you turn it into a 500 to 1,000 word how-to article for a parenting or homeschooling magazine. (Remember to cite your sources.)

1. How can I prepare my kindergartner for his/her first day of school?
   
   
2. How can I help my child make friends in his/her new school?
   
   
3. Ten tips to prevent your children from becoming a school bully.
   
   
4. Ten steps for reporting school bullies to your school officials.
   
   
5. Are school buses really safe? How to protect our kids when they must ride the school bus.
   
   
6. Safety tips for walking to school without a parent.
   
   
7. Where can I find the best deals on school supplies?
   
   
8. The best gift ideas for teachers.
   
   
9. Twelve fun brown sack lunches.
   
   
10. Five tips for helping your child pick healthy foods in the school lunch line.
    
    
11. How do I help my child pick a school sport that fits his/her personality?
    
    
12. How safe are school sports?
    
    
13. How can school sports help my child develop stronger character?
    
    
14. How can I help my child keep up his/her grades up with his/her demanding sport’s schedule?
    
    
15. Why should we fight to keep art programs in schools?
    
    
16. Ten top reasons arts programs help children accelerate in school.
    
    
17. Is the “No Child Left Behind Act” hindering or helping our children?
    
    
18. When schools go to far… (pick a topic)
    
    
19. Ten signs that your child needs a tutor.
    
    
20. How to help your child with his/her homework.
    
    
21. How to approach the principal when your child’s teacher is out of control.
    
    
22. Five tips for showing your child team spirit.
    
    
23. Five tips for working with your child’s teacher.
    
    
24. How can I help my child transition from elementary school to middle school?
    
    
25. How can I help my child transition from middle school to high school?
    
    
26. How can I help my child transition from high school to college?
    
    
27. How can I find scholarships for my child’s college education?
    
    
28. How can I get involved in my child’s school?
    
    
29. What do teachers really look for in parental help?
    
    
30. What types of class parties does our school system allow?

• Practice interviewing. Call a few colleagues, friends, or family members and ask questions related to the theme of your choice. Then weave the article around the quotes.
  
  
• Talk to a teacher, principal, or homeschooling parent and let him/her know that you don’t have an assignment yet, but you will pitch the article to target-appropriate magazines.