Laura Purdie Salas

Writing the World for Kids

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Ready to Write Some Zoo-Ku? #ClassroomConnections

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I so love it when kids (or grown-ups) do their own writing inspired by something I wrote! A virtual book club of 2nd graders at Spradley Elementary in Frisco, TX, read Lion of the Sky and wrote their own zoo-ku in response. Aren’t those fabulous? Can you guess the animals? I love seeing how students […]

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Ready for Read Across America Day? #ClassroomConnections

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Read Across America Day is coming up soon, which immediately makes me think of Dr. Seuss! It’s March 2, and you can find out more here. Meanwhile, if you don’t have any guest readers for your classroom, share a readaloud! I’ve got tons (okay, maybe not tons, but lots) right here. There’s nonfiction, fiction, and […]

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Look for Signs of Spring #ClassroomConnections

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A leaf is a leaf. It bursts out each spring when sunny days linger and orioles sing. –Laura Purdie Salas, from A Leaf Can Be…   Up here in Minnesota, it’ll be a while yet before spring comes. But those of you in other areas might already be seeing buds on trees and shrubs that […]

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Love Your Family for Valentine’s Day #ClassroomConnections

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Valentine’s Day is a great time to talk about how we love our families, even though our families might be different from our friends’ families. My book Meet My Family, a rhyming nonfiction picture book celebrating all kinds of families in the animal world, is a wonderful lead-in to this discussion. Sing and move to […]

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Melting Snowman Art Project #ClassroomConnections

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Wow! Art teacher Leah Newton emailed me recently to share this very cool art project related to Snowman – Cold = Puddle. She’s got a great lesson plan where kids learn about color theory and the states of matter AND make lovely art at the same time! Don’t miss it. And teachers, nothing makes writers […]

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Happy Anniversary, National Geographic Society! (And…brinicles!) #ClassroomConnections

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The National Geographic Society was founded on this date in 1888. I love their books for kids, I subscribe to their magazine, and Randy and I have attended a number of their traveling lectures. I’m super proud to have poems in two different National Geographic anthologies (both edited by the amazing J. Patrick Lewis). Do […]

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Migration North Is Starting!? #ClassroomConnections

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In our icebox winter here in Minnesota, it’s hard to believe there are any birds flying north at this time! But a few species are beginning their journeys. If you’re talking about migration in your classroom, I’ve got two books you might want to share (and activities that go with both—just follow the links). Also, […]

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Write a Snowperson List Poem #ClassroomConnections

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If you live in a cold climate, it’s prime snowman-building time! That makes it a great time to talk about the states of matter and how snow and ice are forms of water. Here’s a printable .pdf students can use to write a snowman list poem. It’s one of a handful of materials (including water […]

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I’d Rather Stick With You #PoetryFriday

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Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) How is it possibly December? Yowza. Last week, Irene Latham shared a lovely gift guide post, pairing gift ideas with her books. Love that…and stealing the idea. Here are some of my books from the past year or two, along with a few ideas to […]

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A Flossing Day Poem #ClassroomConnections

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I bet you thought this Friday was just a shopping day. Wrong! It’s Flossing Day (no, not the dance). So grab your dental floss and review good techniques…and celebrate with this poem from In the Middle of the Night. Bet you didn’t know dental floss had so much fun without us! I had a good […]

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