Hi! I’m Gina of PerfettoWritingRoom. Special thanks today to Minds in Bloom for co-hosting this article! It is one of the very best blogs on the block, if I do say so myself.

My most inspired writing project is a freebie I’m sharing with you today: 4 Senses Guided Short Story Activity. Calling it a prompt isn’t fair. Truly, it is an EXPERIENCE that is mysterious, delightful, sometimes frightening and, at last, enlightening. For this reason it challenges each student on their own personal level. Whether a student is in 5th grade or 50 years old, this can be a critical writing experience for all.
Materials
- Minimum of one item for each student
- One brown paper bag per item so that the items are not visible
- Step by step instructions
- Plenty of paper
- One class period for this portion
TIP: Students can each bring an item to class, or you can bring in an item. The more planes, shapes, weights, and dimensions these items have, the better. Small boxes with other items inside, natural elements, or differing textures all open up different levels for writing.

Setting Up
When students enter, they must NOT sit. Rather, they will all walk around their desks, placing their hands inside each bag, quietly feeling the contents of each bag. No talking or peeking inside! Each student must choose the item they think would be the most interesting to write about. The mystery of the entire endeavor is what piques students’ interest. Once each student has chosen, they will sit down with the bag and the item STILL safely inside.
Step 1
While the students have one hand inside the bag, instruct them to “Write a tactile description using your hand and all of your faculties except your eyes!”
This means they can weigh it, feel for texture, knock it on the desk, roll it around, etc. It does in fact require a new way of thinking, especially NOW that they cannot use their eyes. This is descriptive writing and critical thinking.
Step 2
Now students may take the item out of the bag. Tell them: “Really look at it. Skip a line on your paper for step two. For sentence one, please state what the item is. Now, use your language skills to describe this item. Consider color, length, weight, height, and more. Where has it maybe come from?”
Step 3
Now students will use figurative language. Tell them that they are allowed to begin with silly or obvious similes or metaphors, but, as a few minutes tick by, they should try to stretch their abilities. “Really push yourself. You may use simile, metaphor, personification, or more to describe the item’s color, shape, texture, or other features.”
Step 4
Here is the surprise. The item you are looking at – well, I hate to tell you this – isn’t what you think it is at all. It is…
- A: a key to unlock something of great potential/power
- B: an object with a secret history, held by someone who is only able to tell its story to one person on his or her deathbed
- C: a super-spy device of use in an important mission
- D: an object that will bring peace to a planet
- E: essential for some civilization’s utter survival…
Our freebie has options that go up to the letter “N.” Of course, you could always come up with your own! The student goal is to write a story using one of these options. The story must have characters, a goal, plot, dialogue, etc. Students will get at least to the beginning of step four by the end of the period. For homework or on day two, have students write a story and then share!
I hope you enjoy this free resource. I know your students will. Feel free to pick up your copy and like or rate it!

