Kaleb in the for Teachers Page There Will Be 4 Sections

Kaleb – in the “For Teachers” page there will be 4 sections. Maybe they can be separated in 4 boxes.

Box one (Upper Left):

Read Erec Rex for credit!

Purchase the Accelerated Reader Quiz for Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye today.

http://www.renlearn.com/store/quiz_home.asp?c=MP+31%3A71%3A1+7002%2F72

(The AR quiz for Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness is expected to be available by February, ’08.)

Box two (Upper Right):

Special Deals on Classroom Books!

50% off school orders over 20 books.

Free teachers copies for orders over 20 books.

Email for details.

Box three:

Kaza can come to your school, or have an online discussion with your students on her forum site!

Email Kaza at for details.

Here are some teacher’s comments:

(Sharing the love of reading and writing is one of my joys, so this means tons to me.)

My 5th and 6th grade students were captivated with Kaza Kingsley’s enthusiasm and friendliness. Even my reluctant readers have been "gobbling up" her new book. What's even more special about Kaza is her "kid friendly" approach. She is the only author I know who will respond to each student's email. At least twice a week, my day begins with a comment from one of my students telling me that he/she received an email from Kaza. It's been six weeks since her visit, and the kids are still talking about it like it was yesterday.

Here are a few comments from my students:

"This was the best experience I've ever had."

“This is the best book I've ever read."

"This book took me on an adventure."

"Once you start reading this book, you can't stop."

"She told us about what really happens when you're writing a book, and I never knew any of that."

"This was a great opportunity that I'll never forget."

And last but not least, "When will she come back?"

Kerry McTaggart

Holmes Elementary

San Diego, CA

What a treasure of a presentation!

Mrs. Kingsley has the ability to share her joy of writing on a level

that children can appreciate. She is an absolutely phenomenal

presenter who magically promotes writing and reading. The children were transfixed for an entire hour, listening to an incredibly talented author. She also drew them into her world of fantasy by having them create a story with her. Any school would be fortunate to have her speak. Thank you, thank you!

Carol Rosen, Teacher/Librarian

Hillel Torah Day School

Skokie, Illinois

Kaza Kingsley's visit to our school was magical for the students. She

was extremely engaging and really connected with the kids. After Ms.

Kingley's book talk, my 8th grade students voted to read her book Erec

Rex for our class book club. It's great too see our students so

enthusiastic about reading.

Dana Harwood

Monarch school

San Diego, CA

What a wonderful gift we were given! Ms. Kingsley so understands how students learn, how to vary a presentation to keep their interest and how to keep them spellbound. Her highly infectious personality, bright smile and wonderful information about her life both as an early writer and currently was so interesting to our budding authors. Book her, you won't be disappointed!

Mary Dougherty, Principal

Vineland Elementary School

Fresno, CA

We have authors come to our school every year, and Kaza’s presentation was the most inspiring one I’ve seen. I loved the way she gave students a visual comparison of the writing process to that of fine art. It is exactly what we want to demonstrate to kids in our school. And the students were completely involved, engaged, and interested!

Kathy Yeager, Principal

Nordstrom Elementary School

Morgan Hill, CA

Kaza Kingsley's presentation was excellent! Kaza is a vibrant, enthusiastic spreaker who knows how to make her presentation perfect for elemetary age students. When she read an excerpt from one of her books, our students were spellbound. Kaza then took the students through the writing process in a clear, step-by-step dynamic method. At Rod Kelley school we were pleased to have such a creative person as Kaza share her talents with us.
Christel Morley, ELD/ Literacy Facilitator,
Rod Kelley School
Gilroy, CA 95020

Kaza has appeared at our elementary school and inspired our students to think about their writing. Kaza's engaging personality and enthusiasm for the craft of writing are truly infectious. She has become a favorite author of our fourth and fifth grade readers.

Karen McGinty, Principal

Ella Canavan Elementary

Medina, OH

What a great experience for students and staff alike to hear and see

what goes into the creative process of writing a novel! The kids'

imaginations were really flowing, and the staff were inspired with ideas to bring back into the classroom.

Helene Stoll

C. C. Spaulding Elementary School

Durham, NC

Box four:

Teachers Guide

Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye
By author Kaza Kingsley

EREC IN THE CLASSROOM

Kaza Kingsley’s books give teachers a way to bring home important concepts in fun ways that kids can understand. When children read books that inspire and amuse, they are open to new ideas. Subjects that might not have interested them before can take on a whole new meaning after they read a good book!

Kaza has a way of drawing in even the most resistant readers into her world. The plot twists and turns in her stories delight children and adults, as do the amusing characters, mystery, suspense and humor. More and more teachers are finding what a delight the Erec Rex books are to read aloud in class.

But more than just fun, the Erec Rex books are a trove of learning experiences that are fun for teachers and students alike. From themes of Math to Mythology, you will find a fantastic teaching adventure awaits you.

EREC REX: THE DRAGON’S EYE
Life is not easy for twelve-year-old Erec Rex. His single mother can barely support her six adopted kids. They’ve moved into an apartment so tiny that Erec sleeps with the washing machine. To make matters worse, there is a strange force in Erec that he cannot control.

Then one morning Erec’s mother is missing. Compelled to find her, he embarks on an adventure that will change him forever. On his journey he meets Bethany, who also lost both parents in a mysterious past. Together they discover Alypiam, where the knowledge of magic is kept.

Things do not go as planned. Forced into a royal competition filled with danger and sorcery, rescuing his mother seems impossible. He discovers that Alypiam is in peril and he is the only one who can save it. But he must learn the secrets of trust and loyalty to overcome all odds ... and to start on a quest to become king.

IN CLASS DISCSSION

General:

-Author Kaza Kingsley came up with some wacky inventions in this book. Which was your favorite?

-Did the epilogue answer questions about the past, ten years ago? Or did it open more questions?

Power:

-Erec wants the scepter because of the feeling of power that it gives him. Does he really want power over other people?

-Why does he crave the scepter? Is there a part of him that is afraid of it?

-Would you want a scepter if it gave you complete control over everyone else?

-Erec is a good person who cares about his friends and is willing to do things to help others. But he is not perfect. Can a person be good and still want something bad?

-Baskania, on the other hand, is obsessed with power. Does this make him bad? Or are there other things that make him bad? Does Baskania have a good side to his personality?

-Who else in the book wants power over others? The Stain triplets? Earl Evirly?

-At the end of the book, Erec holds the scepter and has power over everyone. Yet he agrees to hand it over to King Piter. Is this a surprise?

Trust:

-The key thing that Erec Rex learns in The Dragon’s Eye is that it’s not always easy to know who to trust. Why didn’t Erec trust his mother all along?

-Why did Erec trust the Shadow Demon? What could he have done differently to protect himself from this mistake?

-Erec not only has to learn to trust his mother, but also to trust himself. How does Erec learn from things that happen to him? After facing the Destroyers in the dungeons, how is he more confident to face Bethany’s Uncle Earl?

-Erec is hiding his name, and keeping himself a secret. Are there times when it is better not to trust somebody?

Courage:

-What is courage? Is it just the opposite of fear? Or is there more to it?

-Is the most impressive courage in people who are afraid?

-What characters in the book show courage? Which ones do not?

-At the end, Erec holds the scepter and is in control

-How did Bethany show courage in the book? When she left Alypium with her uncle she was afraid. What made her lose her fear and face him in the end?

-Are there things that have happened in your life that let you lose a fear you had once?

Mythology:

The Erec Rex series offers one of the best explorations of mythology in the classroom setting. Classroom discussions of Erec Rex books give kids insights into the series they may well have missed on their own. Nothing makes children appreciate learning more than coming away with fun and interesting facts hidden within their own beloved books.

Mythology Discussion Questions

Lesson Plans:

MYTHOLOGY

Creating Your Own Mythology – lesson plan

MythologyTime Machine – lesson plan

Puzzles in Mythology and Writing – lesson plan

COMPREHENSION QUIZ

MATH

STORYTELLING

WRITING

VOCABULARY

LANGUAGE ARTS

SOCIAL STUDIES

SCIENCE

ART

MUSIC

LINKS (http://www.cesa10.k12.wi.us/services/educational_technology/.field_trips.htm)

REVIEWS
AUTHOR INTERVIEW

(new page)

Creating Your Own Mythology – lesson plan

Overview: What purpose does mythology serve? Students will discuss why myths exist, and how using mythology made the Erec Rex books richer. Then, in groups, they will create their own mythology exploring themes important to them.

Objectives: Students will

(1) understand that our life now, while very different, still has ties to our distant past

(2) critically think about Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye to look at hidden subtext

(3) learn about word webs

(4) explore the power of their own writing to amuse, clarify and explain

(5) come away with a better understanding of why mythology exists

Materials:

(1) The book, Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye

Teaching Plan:

Word Web: Have students write a question at the top of a piece of paper. It should be something that they do not understand completely, for example: How does a television work? Or, Why do we have only one president at a time?

Then, under this question, they will make a word web. In the middle of the paper, they will write a word, and circle it. The word should be a noun, the subject of the question they have written above (such as “television” or “president.”)

For ten minutes, students will create a web on the page. First they will write down any words that come to mind at all around their initial word (“radio, announcer, screen, broadcast, etc.”) and circle these words, connecting them to the first word with lines, like a web. Then, they will look at each new word on the page, and write words around them as well that come into their mind that have to do with those words.

At the end, they will have a paper filled with circled words, connected to each other by lines, like a giant web. This brainstorming exercise should be kept for later use.

Reading: Students should read Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye, Chapter Eight, pages 85 – 104.

After reading, discuss:

-How many of the creatures and things in this chapter were from a “real” mythology? (Answer: the Calais twins, the Hydra, the Dragon, the Minotaur, the Cyclops)

-How many things were invented by the author? (Answer: Identdetector, Water Wall, the Ginglehoffer, the Giant Mosquito, cloudsicles, Aniballs.)

-Which did you like better, the mythology created by the author, or the ones she drew from past cultures? Or did you like the mix?

-What has mythology done for us in the past, before we knew much about how the earth works? Is there a place for mythology today?

-Have they, themselves, come up with answers for things they don’t understand? What kinds of things did they make up to help explain things to themselves?

Creating Mythology:

-Students should get in small groups of 3 – 4. They should look at each other’s word webs, and come up with a question that they want to explore with their own mythology. The word webs will be spring points for their imaginations.

-The group will then write an “ancient Greek” style myth, explaining the answer to their question as the ancient Greeks did, using gods and goddesses. The kids can make up their own gods or use those from Greek or Roman mythology.