Contact Information

To arrange school visits and presentations by Kalli Dakos, please contact the following:

 Edstar, Inc.                        (800) 310-9495
                                              EdstarK2@aol.com

School Visits in the USA:    Phone:  (800) 310-9495
                                              Fax:  (613) 723-7835
                                              E-mail:  EdstarK2@aol.com
                                              
School Visits in Canada:     Contact Alexa at:
                                              Phone:  (613) 723-7384
                                              Fax: (613) 723-7835
                                              E-mail:  EdstarK2@aol.com
                                                

Presentations

Presentations are described below and include: A Celebration of Life in Our Classrooms, Writing Workshops, Presentations for Teachers, and Presentations for Parents and Students Together, followed by Comments on School Visits.

A Celebration of Life in Our Classrooms - Ordinary classroom events can be transformed into extraordinary stories and poems.

• a dynamic presentation that will bring laughter & joy to your students & teachers.
• school poems will be brought to life through dramatization and a humorous selection of props that include snakes, magic wands, worms, hearts, magic glasses, etc.
• children and teachers will be asked to participate in choral readings, chantings, echoing and unique interpretations of the poems.
• participants will share real-life stories from their own school.
• both students and teachers should be ready to write poems when they return to their classrooms.

A new approach that inspires even the most reluctant writers.

AUDIENCE:	Grades 1-6. No more than two classrooms together. Individual classrooms and small groups are preferable.
SUPPLIES:	Overhead projector. Writing materials for students. Rhyming dictionaries, if they are available.
LENGTH:	Minimum of 60 minutes

 

Students will actively participate in the presentation of special poems that have been written to enhance their understanding of the following concepts:

Presentations for Teachers

The following topics can be covered during a presentation with teachers:

• What's There to Write About? - The best stories of all are in your own classrooms. Capture the magic of real-life, and you'll always have something to write about.
• How to Teach Children to Write Poetry - a new approach that is enjoyable for both teachers & students.
• Inspirational Poetry and Stories - Teachers need inspiration and laughter; both can be found in the poetry of their professional lives.
• Writing for Publication.
• Dramatizing Poetry with Children - a way to bring poems to life!
• Writing Workshop for Teachers

Presentations for Parents and Students Together

Dynamic evening presentations that bring parents into the heart of the elementary school world and help them to remember the difficulties and challenges they once faced as students. By participating in choral readings, chantings and dramatizations of poetry, children, teachers and parents will celebrate school life together. Admission is often charged for this performance by some schools, and it can be used as a fund raiser.

Sample Schedule
(Click here for schedule)

Comments on School visits

I loved your poem about eating lunch at the White House. I read it to my grandchildren who also aren't ready to eat at the White House. (Barbara Bush, March 26, 1991)

I have been turned off writing poetry since sixth grade when we had endless "learning stations" that had to be completed. Thanks for the inspiration I haven't had in twenty years. (Calvert County, Maryland)

The students at Little Run are most enthusiastic about poetry after your visit. One of the third graders said, "It's better than movies!" How's that for a compliment? (Fairfax County, Virginia)

Thanks for capturing the humor of school life for all of us. You've given me courage to try to write poems with my students. (Rochester, New York)

Your poetry is a lot of fun! I've been inspired to write some of my own. (Falls Church, Virginia)

It was better than an evening at the Arts Center. (Parent, Ottawa, Canada)

Our halls are echoing with your poetry. I have been asked to read your poems again in many classrooms. It was a memorable experience for us having you here. Thanks for an exciting way to encourage children to write. (City of Manassas, Virginia)

The most helpful aspect was that you showed us all that our everyday experiences make excellent poetry topics. The examples you have of things you had witnessed in our school were great. (Sixth Grade Teacher)

My LD. students have been independently writing poems. You were a true inspiration for them. (4/5 Combo)

Your enthusiasm and lively imagination were great and kept my children right with you. The props (a real bubble, rubber snakes, etc.) were wonderful. (Kindergarten Teacher)

Today was the best day in school. (1st Grade Student)

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
But no one is
As poetic as you. (1st Grade Student) 

I do not like poems, but I like yours. (2nd Grade Student)

I learned that the world is a poet's paradise. (3rd Grade Student)

You gave me the heart of poetry. Now I write poems to my parents, friends and family. (4th Grade Student)

Pictures from School Visits

Kalli has pictures from the following school visits to share with you. Click on the school to view them . . .

Millard Hawk Primary School

River Oaks

Instructions for School Visits

Please mail or FAX me a copy of the schedule at least two weeks before my visit. 
My FAX NUMBER is (613) 723-7835.

POETRY CELEBRATIONS (large group)
Keep all poetry celebrations in one room because I bring many props and materials with me, and it is difficult to transfer them from room to room.

 If possible, I need the following supplies:

two large tables, set up at the front of the room where I will be presenting
one table for teacher handouts at the side of the room
seven chairs and one desk to be used for props

a podium  
an electrical outlet  
a PA system, if necessary

WORKSHOPS  (40 - 60 students per session)
I prefer to hold all workshops in one room, but I can travel to individual classrooms if necessary.

If possible, I need the following supplies:

an overhead projector
rhyming dictionaries for the students to share (I do bring additional copies)
paper and pencils for students
a cart if I have to go from room to room

BOOK SALES

we love to have books available for teachers and children to purchase
all books ordered through Edstar are discounted – schools may pass on the discounts to the children and teachers, or they can use the books as a fund raiser.
Edstar, Inc. carries copies of all the books as well as some toys and props for teachers.
Kalli is willing to personally autograph books as long as time permits.
more detailed information is in Instructions for Book Sales

Instructions for Book Sales

I’m always happy to sign books for teachers and children during my visit. The books can be ordered directly from  the publishing companies, bookstores, or from  EDSTAR, INC., our office in Ogdensburg, New York.

Please let me know if you would like me to autograph books during my visit, and where you will be obtaining the books.

BOOKS ORDERED FROM EDSTAR, INC.

The office in Ogdensburg, New York, has all the titles and can ship the books directly to your school,  

The books are discounted 10% to 20%, depending on the title.  You can use the book sales as a fund raiser for the school or you can give the entire discount to the children.

Edstar, Inc. will charge the discounted price for the books.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOOK SALES

1. Make a copy of order form (front and back) for each student.
        Front/Side 1 - Outline of Books
        Back/Side 2 - Select one of the order forms:
                               Retail Price (school fund raiser)
                               Discounted Price (children receive discount)

(Click here for information on how to download Order Forms and obtain free Adobe Reader, if needed.)

2. Make the checks payable to your school.

3. Send home one month before the author visit.

4. Collect order forms and checks. 

5. At least three weeks before the visit, e-mail Alexa at Edstark2@aol.com with the titles and numbers of books the children have ordered.  You can order extra books for late orders.

*Some schools continue to sell the books one week after the visit and order books for this as well.

6. Edstar, Inc. will pay to ship the books to your school.  The school is responsible for shipping all unsold books back to Edstar, Inc. 

7. Do not send cash or large numbers of checks through the mail.  They have been lost in the past. 

USA Schools Order Form
(Click here for Form)

Canada School Order Form
(Click here for Form)

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