About the story starter wheel
Each slice is the opening line of a story. Students copy it down and keep writing. Story starters remove the hardest part of writing, the first sentence, so even reluctant writers get going quickly.
Ways to use it
- Creative writing warm-up.
- Round-robin stories: pass the paper every two minutes.
- Campfire or sleepover storytelling.
What’s on this wheel (10)
- The note under my door was not in my handwriting.
- Nobody believed me when I said the house was moving.
- The last thing I expected to find in my backpack was a dragon egg.
- Every clock in town stopped at exactly 3:17.
- My grandmother’s old radio started talking to me.
- The new kid at school never cast a shadow.
- We were halfway up the mountain when the snow turned purple.
- The museum guard winked at me, and then the painting did too.
- I only had one wish left, and I had to use it wisely.
- The ship’s computer said we were not alone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use a story starter in class?
Display the line, give students 10 to 15 minutes to continue the story, then let volunteers read their endings aloud.
Can students change the first line?
Usually the challenge is to keep it, but letting students tweak one word can help them make it their own.
Is the wheel really random?
Yes. The winner is chosen by your browser’s random number generator before the wheel starts turning, and every slice has the same chance.
Can I save or share my wheel?
Click "Save" to keep the wheel in My wheels in this browser, or "Share wheel" to copy a link that opens your exact list on any device.