Functional Writing Ideas for the Whole Year
Being able to communicate effectively is an important life skill. For students, being able to write functional sentences is a key part of this. Functional writing ideas include writing for a variety of purposes, such as making a shopping list or writing a letter. It also involves being able to communicate information clearly and concisely. For teachers and Occupational Therapists, providing opportunities for functional writing in the classroom can help students to develop this important life skill.
Ellen Olson, OTR, the creator of Forms for Functional Writing Practice, has created this awesome list of ideas for the entire school year to practice functional writing. For each month, she lists super creative ideas to practice addressing envelopes, writing letters, taking phone messages, and more!
Forms for Functional Writing Practice
FUNCTIONAL WRITING IDEAS FOR SEPTEMBER AND AUGUST
Postcards – Have students write a sentence or two about their summer. Use their teacher and the school address. Draw a stamp for fun OR do a step by step drawing as an added activity for the stamp or on the other side.
No summer ideas to write about? Have the students create a postcard and write a sentence or two about their upcoming school year, their school, their teachers, etc. Use their parents name and home address. Draw a stamp for fun OR do a step by step drawing as an added activity for the stamp or on the other side.
Name/Address forms – Get a beginning-of-the-year sample if you think this is a thing your student may struggle with.
Phone message – From principal to teacher or principal to student or teacher to student – keep up the good work OR From principal or teacher to student’s parent-student is doing well so far this year.
Check out these writing prompt ideas for September and October.
OCTOBER FUNCTIONAL WRITING SKILLS PRACTICE
Envelope to:
- Dracula 45 Bloods Point Road Cherry Valley, IL 61016
- Joe the Zombie 65 Shades of Death Rd Great Meadows, NJ 07838
- (Your favorite Horror movie star) 10 Bucket of Blood Street Holbrook, AZ 86025
Check or money order- to any of the above characters as a bribe to leave you alone.
Check or money order- to student’s favorite store for Halloween Candy or Costume.
Phone message – OT to student’s parent-student is working hard in OT.
NOVEMBER IDEAS
Check or money order -to the grocery store for Thanksgiving food
Phone message – teacher to student’s parent – don’t forget we have a break coming up soon
DECEMBER FUNCTIONAL WRITING IDEAS
Check or money order to:
- Santa Claus as a bribe
- Ben the butcher for Christmas feast
- North Pole Bakery for Christmas cookies
- Walmart for Gifts
- North Pole Express for Travel
- Bob’s Decorating for Tree and trimmings
Envelope addressed to:
- Santa Claus 45 North Pole Drive Anchorage, AK 99501
- Rudolph R Reindeer 23 Santa’s Barn Road North Pole, AK 99501
- Head Elf 65 Workshop Lane Santa’s Village, AK 99501
- Mr. Bah Humbug 67 Disbelief Drive Grumpy, FL 10101
JANUARY WRITING PROMPTS FOR FORMS
Postcard – Have your students fill out a postcard with their teacher’s name and school address telling about their winter vacation. Draw a stamp for fun OR do a step by step drawing as an added activity for the stamp or on the other side.
Envelope to – The Abominable Snowman 47 Back Woods Lane Anchorage AK 99501
Phone message -from teacher, OT or principal to parent that you are happy to have your student back in school
FEBRUARY FUNCTIONAL WRITING IDEAS
Envelope to – Cupid 35 Rose Avenue Loves Park, IL 61111
Check or money order to buy a valentines gift for someone
Phone message – OT to student’s parent-student is working hard in OT or classroom
MARCH AND APRIL IDEAS
Postcard – Have your students fill out a postcard about how they spent their time during spring break. They can use their teacher’s name and school address. Draw a stamp for fun OR do a step by step drawing as an added activity for the stamp or on the other side.
Envelope to:
- Lucky Leprechaun 777 Rainbow Lane Secrettown, USA 00000
- Peter Rabbit or Peter Cottontail 25 Carrot Lane Easter, TX 79027
Money order or Check to:
- Lucky Leprechaun – for bribe (to tell you where he hid his gold)
- Peter Rabbit or Peter Cottontail or your parents as bribe to bring you lots of candy
- To Store where parents can buy Easter candy or Easter dinner
Forms for Functional Writing Practice
MAY AND JUNE FUNCTIONAL WRITING IDEAS
Postcard – Have your students fill out a postcard about how they plan to spend their summer vacation or how they will miss or not miss school this summer. They could use their teacher’s name and school address or their parent’s name and address depending on the theme of the card. Draw a stamp for fun OR do a step by step drawing as an added activity for the stamp or on the other side.
Name/Address forms – Get an end of the year sample and compare to the beginning of the year sample if you took one.
Phone message – to parents from principal or teacher that summer break is coming soon.
Check out these June Writing Prompt ideas and Spring and Summer Writing Prompts.
Many people may not realize it, but functional writing is an important skill for students to learn. While some may see functional writing as simply a utilitarian task, teachers and Occupational Therapists know that it can actually be quite beneficial for students. For one, it can help to improve fine motor skills. In addition, it gives students practice in following instructions and organizing information. Perhaps most importantly, though, it provides students with a sense of accomplishment and confidence. Knowing how to communicate effectively in writing is a valuable skill that will benefit students both inside and outside the classroom.
