Laura Purdie Salas

Writing the World for Kids

You are here: Home / Archives for school visits

A Compassionate Point of View in Poetry – World Refugee Day

By

Wednesday, June 20, is World Refugee Day, and I wanted to share a poetry-writing activity I did with 3rd-8th graders in case you’re looking for a writing activity with one of your summer programs (or in years to come). Almost every year, I teach at Success Beyond the Classroom’s Young Authors Conference at Bethel University […]

Tagged With: , , , ,

School Visits in February

By

I had 2 fabulous school visits in February and wanted to share a few pictures. If you only click on one photo, do the white poem on green background paper in the first gallery–the student poem “Things to Do if You Are a Valentine’s Card.” I am in love with this poem. Often, the very […]

Tagged With: ,

Writing Poetry with Third Graders

By

I had the best time at Pinewood Elementary last month. I got to spend two days there, which means that, in addition to two large-group presentations, I did writing workshops with each third-grade class. Love! The staff was amazing and enthusiastic, and the students were incredible. We had the best time. I’m going to share […]

Tagged With: , , ,

Tree Puzzle [15 Words or Less]

By

Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here.  The leaves are all gone now from our beautiful maple, so I’m enjoying it through photos retroactively:>) This image makes me think of several things:

Tagged With: , , ,

Listening Pod [15 Words or Less]

By

Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here.  I want to say thank you to this community! On my school visits to Pinewood Elementary in Monticello, MN, last week, I got to lead poetry workshops with […]

Tagged With: , , ,

Literacy Night at Knapp

By

Last night, I visited Knapp Elementary School in Knapp, Wisconsin, for a literacy celebration. It was easy to see Principal Kristin Humphrey is a reading specialist by training–books are celebrated everywhere in the school! I especially loved these displays of artwork related to my book A ROCK CAN BE… The kids and I read a […]

Tagged With: ,

Poetry Workshops with Third Graders

By

(continued from yesterday’s post) [Addendum: I am so disappointed in election results. I think it’s more important than ever to reach every kid through books and reading and writing, and telling them through each of these activities: you matter. No matter what your race, religion, or gender, you matter. You are a human being, just […]

Tagged With: , , ,

Poetry Fun with Pinewood Elementary School

By

I know it’s election day today, but I’m just going to focus on positive things! I had a fantastic two-day visit with Pinewood Elementary School last week in Monticello, MN. It’s always great to visit with students when the staff has prepped so carefully. They read some of my books, shared poems on the morning […]

Tagged With: , , , , ,

Making Room for All Writers [Slice of Life Tuesday]

By

I haven’t been to yoga for almost a year, and Saturday morning, I went to an early practice. The studio was crowded, and people arriving just before the start time were looking discouraged. But those of us already in the room said, “Here…” and scooted our mats to make more room, and everyone fit. We […]

Tagged With: ,

My Biopoem Lesson Plan

By

As I mentioned yesterday, I led biopoem sessions at a Young Authors Conference all last week. The students wrote and shared amazing poems: a silly poem about brussel sprouts, a thoughtful poem about creativity, a heartbreaking poem about gender identity and fitting in, a scary poem about rats, a celebratory poem about soccer, and SO […]

Tagged With: , , , ,