Reading means nothing if comprehension, literacy and critical thinking are not part of the process. Reading for comprehension of new vocabulary and concepts is critical for students in STEM fields.
Diane Miranda, Continuing Education,
Trinity College, Washington D.C.
School Discussion Guide
Many students struggle to find something compelling to read, but once they do and they dive in, whether it’s non-fiction or fiction, they can become unstoppable readers. When you offer your students a chance to read Book 1 in my YA fantasy series, the following questions can test their comprehension and hone their critical thinking skills. Plus, it’s fun and Book 2 rewards their efforts with a new adventure! Also, they can stay tuned for book 3, which is still in progress.
Reach out to me with questions: [email protected]
See below for more information school book orders for your classroom or library. I love discounts, don’t you?
Invite me to come lead this discussion with your class, live or virtual. Go ahead, make my day!
Diane Miranda, Continuing Education,
Trinity College, Washington D.C.
School Discussion Guide
Many students struggle to find something compelling to read, but once they do and they dive in, whether it’s non-fiction or fiction, they can become unstoppable readers. When you offer your students a chance to read Book 1 in my YA fantasy series, the following questions can test their comprehension and hone their critical thinking skills. Plus, it’s fun and Book 2 rewards their efforts with a new adventure! Also, they can stay tuned for book 3, which is still in progress.
- The Netahs live in Colorado. The terrain and climate of the state varies widely from high altitude mountain forests to dry plains. Do the Netahs have an advantage in this environment?
- If you could transform into any animal, bird, or fish on this planet, which would you choose to be? Why? Would you want to keep your ability a secret? Why? What hardships might you encounter? What could you enjoy that is not possible as a mere human?
- The Netahs is a fantasy about humans who can become animals. Do the characters have similar personalities to people you know?
- Do you know of myths from other cultures and times that included animal/human combinations? Were they good, bad, helpful, evil? What does that tell you about those societies?
- Imagine what kind of political structures your chosen animal community might have, depending on whether they live in large groups or solitary, whether they mate for life or season, how they care for their young. Are they democracies, socialists, dictators? Why?
- Among comic-book super-heroes, what powers do they have and what does that tell us about our own society and what we hold dear?
- Would your animal be more environmentally sensitive and friendly than humans, or not care at all? Why?
- If you could improve one thing about human culture, would you base it on something you’ve learned about how animals behave?
- Is there an animal that demonstrates behaviors we would never want to imitate? Do you think there is an animal that is intrinsically evil? Are you anthropomorphizing that animal?
Reach out to me with questions: [email protected]
See below for more information school book orders for your classroom or library. I love discounts, don’t you?
Invite me to come lead this discussion with your class, live or virtual. Go ahead, make my day!
School Visit Information
I offer several options for classroom visits. If students are inclined to make a poster based on my fantasy series, I will award a winner with their own autographed hard cover copy of my book. I can do a reading, offer a writing exercise, or lead a discussion on various topics from U.S. history to Sociology or Architecture, covering ideas like how would being a Netah change how someone might design an office? I offer quantity discounts to school classrooms and libraries. All sessions are 50 minutes, and are designed to be done with one classroom at a time. However, I am open to doing up to 4 sessions per day, and a minimum of 2 per school.
Visit Options
Grades 3-6
- Class preparation: Read book! Create a poster of a scene from the book. School picks winner.
- Author Visit: Brief introduction. Reading, Discuss with class why people might want to be able to change into animals sometimes. Create our own character and scene together and write a paragraph about them together. Award the poster winner with their own book.
- Class preparation: Read book! Choose a subject from this list: U.S. history, Political Science, U.S. Government, Environmental Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Architecture. Write a flash fiction piece showing how being a Netah might influence our topic. Submit pieces to author one week before visit.
- Author Visit: Brief introduction. Author reading of top three submissions. Discussion with class of these pieces. Vote on winner. Award book.
- Class preparation: students choose their favorite wild animal and write a flash fiction story about a Netah in that animal form (500 words). Teacher or class will decide top 3 stories and submit them to the author. Story planning form available on booking.
- Author Visit: Brief introduction. Author will read her own new flash fiction piece to class. Read and discuss winning stories. Award book.
Scheduling and Fees
- Local Denver or Breckenridge - $100/session
- 50 miles + from local - $150/session
- Discounts on advanced book orders.
- All visits include one free autographed hard-cover copy of Book 1 for the school library. Book 2 included if 4 sessions included in a day.
Email inquiries preferred. Can't wait to hear from you!