Teachers’ Notes
Eric Vale
Off the Rails
OMNIBUS BOOKS
Written by
Michael Gerard Bauer
Illustrated by Joe Bauer
Teachers’ Notes written by Carolyn Carter
Category
Title
Junior Fiction
Eric Vale – Off the
Rails
Author
Michael Gerard Bauer
Illustrator
Joe Bauer
Extent
208 pp
Age
Primary school
ISBN
978 1 86291 994 5
Contents
Introduction………………..……………………………………......
2
About the Author……………………………………………………. 2
About the Illustrator…………………………………………………. 2
Reading the Text......................................................... 3
After Reading the Text……….………………………………....... 6
Extension Activities...................................................... 6
Teachers’ Notes may be reproduced for use in school activities. They may not be
redistributed for commercial sale or posted to other networks.
Introduction
Eric Vale is in hot water again. But this time it’s serious – he’s been called into the Principal’s
office! And all because Mrs Booth, the librarian, gave Chewy a book to read. Now Chewy’s
convinced that Miss Allen, their substitute teacher, is an alien. And he’s determined to prove
it! Eric tries his best to prevent Chewy from doing something stupid. But suddenly life is
stranger than the fiction in Eric’s Awesome Stories and Genius Thoughts Journal.
Well … almost!
About the Author
Michael Gerard Bauer was born in Brisbane. He taught at schools before resigning in
2000 to pursue his dream of being a published writer. His first novel The Running
Man won the CBCA’s Book of the Year (Older Readers) Award in 2005 and he has
since garnered many other honours including international awards. His other books
include Don’t Call Me Ishmael!, Ishmael and the Return of the Dugongs, Ishmael and
the Hoops of Steel, Dinosaur Knights, You Turkeys!, Just a Dog, Eric Vale – Epic Fail
and Eric Vale – Super Male. Many of Michael’s books have been published in other
countries and in different languages.
Michael blogs at http://michaelgerardbauer.wordpress.com and has an author page
on Facebook.
About the Illustrator
Joe Bauer is a young filmmaker whose recent film The Killage has enjoyed
international critical success. In addition to making comedy films, Joe has been
drawing since childhood. He is the creator of the original covers for his father
Michael’s first two Ishmael books. This is his third published illustrated book.
Reading the Text
Part One
After reading the first chapter, discuss your initial impressions of Eric Vale – Off the Rails.
Here are some questions to help prompt the discussion:

What do you remember about the previous books in the Eric Vale series? Is the tone,
humour and writing style the same?

What does ‘off the rails’ mean? What do you think Eric might have done?

What does ‘gullible’ mean?

What do you think was in the library book that Mrs Booth gave Chewy?

Can books influence readers?
Research component
One of the ways an author creates humour in a story is through language play. Some
examples of language play are: rhymes, exaggeration, puns and humorous names. Identify
some examples of language play in Eric Vale – Off the Rails. Fill in the table below with your
findings:
Exaggeration
e.g. Evil Dr Evil MacEvilness pulled out an evil
notebook from one of his evil pockets and
flipped it open – evilly.
Humorous names
e.g. Secret Agents R Definitely Not Us
Puns (play on words)
e.g. Naarsti-Biznez (nasty business)
Aim to find at least six examples in total.
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Literary component
1)
Another example of language play is a word that imitates the sound of a particular
object or action (called onomatopoeia). Here are some examples from Eric Vale – Off
the Rails:

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (evil laughter)

SHHHHHHLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRP! (slurping sound)

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHH! (water gushing out of a fire hose)
In groups, choose a scene from the book and rewrite it as a radio script. Include
dialogue, onomatopoeia, and any other appropriate sounds that you think would
add to your listeners’ enjoyment. Rehearse the script, ready to share it with the
class. You might like to record it if you have access to recording equipment.
2)
Continue with your blog from the previous Eric Vale story. You can write about your
favourite characters, plot developments that surprise you, predictions for the story,
topics covered in the class discussion, and similar books you may have read.
Part Two
Class discussion

What is an extraterrestrial? What is a UFO?

Why does Chewy think Miss Allen is an alien?

What is Eric’s opinion of Miss Allen and does this change during the course of the story?

In the book, the aliens speak English. Have you read any other books or seen any movies
with alien characters? If so, how did they communicate with humans?
Research component
Imagine that a UFO has landed in your school yard and an extraterrestrial has stepped out.
The extraterrestrial doesn’t speak or understand English so you will need to find another
way to communicate. In pairs, brainstorm another form of communication (e.g. images, sign
language, symbols, or sounds). Design a code for this language and create a short greeting to
the extraterrestrial. Make copies of the code to give to the rest of the class. Present your
greeting to the class to see if they can decipher it.
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Literary component:
1)
Write a short piece about a time when your negative opinion of someone suddenly
turned positive.
2)
Each book title in the Eric Vale series contains a word that rhymes with Eric’s
surname e.g. Eric Vale – Epic Fail, Eric Vale – Super Male, Eric Vale – Off the Rails.
Brainstorm a list of words that rhyme with Dale and come up with an interesting
book title that Eric could use for his next Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale story –
e.g. Agent Dale – …………..................... or Secret Agent Dale – ………….....................
Write a blurb for a story that relates to this title.
Part Three
Class discussion

In the book, what are some of the differences between humans and aliens (e.g. physical
appearance and behaviour)?

What facts about water does Agent Dale share with Captain Putrud? Did you already
know these? Make a list on the whiteboard of all the ways we use water.

What does Captain Putrud think of water? How might Captain Putrud and the other
aliens get along without water?
Research component
Research at least five interesting facts about water and include these in your blog to share
with your classmates.
Literary component
1)
Pretend you are one of an alien crew that has just returned to your planet after
visiting Earth. Write a report on the strange, primitive creatures (Earthlings) that you
observed while you were there. Include information about their habits, speech,
appearance, forms of transportation, current technology and any other interesting
details.
2)
Continue with your blog.
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After Reading the Text
Class discussion
What did you think of the novel? Here are some questions that you can use to prompt
discussion:

Was the ending expected?

Did you find the story satisfying?

What did you most like about the story?

Was there a theme?

Can you relate to any of the situations in the book? Has something similar happened to
you or someone you know?

By the end of the book, how does Eric feel about Miss Allen?

If you were going to recommend the book to a friend, what would you say?
Literary component
Think back to a day in your life when things did not go the way you had planned and
everything seemed to go wrong. Imagine that you are as positive as Chewy’s parents (Mr
and Mrs Self-Belief) and write about the events of that day – but try to turn the negatives
into positives. Be as creative and humorous as you like.
Extension Activities
1)
Write a short story where at least one of the characters is a vampire, werewolf,
zombie or alien.
2)
Create a model of a useful spy gadget. Write a short explanation of what it does
and how to operate it. Give it a unique name (e.g. Secret Agent Special Edition,
Miniature, Camouflaged, Indestructo Water Bottle).
3)
Check out Mrs Booth’s name badge (in the first chapter). Create your own
unique name badge - with your position, rank and mission. Your position could
relate to something like your place within your family or a sports team that you
are part of.
4)
Write about a time when you saved someone from an embarrassing situation.
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5)
Become a book matchmaker. Choose a friend or family member and match
them up with a book that you think they will enjoy. You might like to do some
searching at your school library or at a public library.
6)
Design a poster to encourage others to read Eric Vale – Off the Rails. Display in
the classroom or school library.
7)
Rewrite the end of Secret Agent Dale’s story.
8)
Choose a planet other than Earth to research. Present your findings in a
PowerPoint presentation.
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