10 Funny Writing Topics for Middle School
Last week I told my students they would be writing about socks with sandals, and the entire room erupted in actual cheers.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen them so engaged! It got me thinking that maybe I need to incorporate more of these silly topics throughout the year. Here is a list of 10 funny writing topics for middle school:
1.Are socks with sandals an appropriate fashion choice?
Like I said above, this prompt was a huge hit with my students. I had each student write about this topic using a different tone. Some wrote aggressively, some wrote hopefully, some wrote critically—it was hilarious! (You can find the activity here.)
2. Is water wet?
Are your middle-schoolers as obsessed with this argument as mine are? The first time my seventh-graders walked into my room shouting about wet water, I thought it was a passing fad, but five years later, the argument is still going strong.
3. What is the worst gift you could give someone for $5.00?
The possibilities are endless with this one, and it lends itself well to presentations in front of the class!
4. Are spiders actually scary?
This is a pretty polarizing topic in middle school. Whenever we get a spider or bee or cockroach in our classroom, I have half the class screaming and running while the other half rolls their eyes dramatically.
5. Is a hot dog a sandwich?
One of my students actually changed my mind on this one. What is the definition of a sandwich?
6. How can you get someone to stop liking you without knowing what you’re up to?
This prompt is inspired by How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, but a middle-school perspective puts a whole new twist on it.
7. Are dolls sweet or creepy?
Obviously this depends on the doll, but you know that middle-schoolers will have a lot to say on the subject.
8. Is knuckle-cracking beneficial?
There are few things in this world I hate more than knuckle-cracking. My husband insists that it helps to relieve unwanted air pockets in the joints, but who cares if there are air pockets in my joints? I just don’t see the point at all.
9. If middle school were the Olympics, which “sports” would be included?
The locker-to-classroom sprint? The mac-n-cheese spoon vault? Honestly, I might enjoy watching these more than the real Olympics.
10. How old is too old for stuffed animals?
For some reason, stuffed animals have made a major comeback in my classroom. I don’t know what the deal is, but I feel like my students would have an interesting take on this trend.
Next time you need a boost of morale in your classroom, pull out one of these silly topics and watch your students’ engagement skyrocket!
