Battle of the Books

Heather Mays, February 2010Heather Mays, February 2010

Battle of Battle of the Booksthe Books

A New Solution to the Challenge A New Solution to the Challenge of Promoting Recreational of Promoting Recreational

ReadingReading


Battle of the Books Battle of the Books ObjectivesObjectives

Encouragement of readingEncouragement of reading

Improvement of reading Improvement of reading comprehension and social skillscomprehension and social skills

Improvement of higher level thinking Improvement of higher level thinking and reasoning skillsand reasoning skills


Battle of the Books Battle of the Books ObjectivesObjectives

The objectives will be achieved by The objectives will be achieved by organizing book discussion groups in middle organizing book discussion groups in middle and high schools to provide individualized and high schools to provide individualized challenges, to increase excitement for challenges, to increase excitement for reading, and to improve reading reading, and to improve reading comprehension. Students, regardless of comprehension. Students, regardless of ability, are exposed to quality literature and ability, are exposed to quality literature and read from a prescribed list of grade-read from a prescribed list of grade-appropriate titles. The culminating appropriate titles. The culminating competition format creates interest and competition format creates interest and excitement as students improve reading excitement as students improve reading skills, mature in their choices of reading skills, mature in their choices of reading materials, and acquire a broader knowledge materials, and acquire a broader knowledge base.base.


Student BenefitsStudent BenefitsShort term benefitsShort term benefits– the opportunity to read and discuss quality the opportunity to read and discuss quality

literature with their peers, thereby formulating literature with their peers, thereby formulating discussion techniques (group dynamics, discussion techniques (group dynamics, recognition of responsibilities, contributing recognition of responsibilities, contributing insights and responses).insights and responses).

Long-term benefitsLong-term benefits– becoming life-long readers as a result of their becoming life-long readers as a result of their

development of camaraderie, sharing the love development of camaraderie, sharing the love of reading, broadening of their knowledge base, of reading, broadening of their knowledge base, and maturation in reading selections.and maturation in reading selections.

Character DevelopmentCharacter Development– The development of social skills and group The development of social skills and group

dynamics will lend itself to their becoming dynamics will lend itself to their becoming citizens who contribute to their communities. As citizens who contribute to their communities. As students extend their discussions beyond the students extend their discussions beyond the group, they will serve as examples to others. group, they will serve as examples to others.


““Students who read Students who read

become adults who become adults who lead.”lead.”

~Helen Ruffin~Helen Ruffin


Selecting BooksSelecting BooksChoose contemporary books that will Choose contemporary books that will “grab” readers.“grab” readers.Choose newer, lesser-known titles and Choose newer, lesser-known titles and authors.authors.Consider a mix of genres.Consider a mix of genres.Choose books that will appeal to boys Choose books that will appeal to boys and girls.and girls.Don’t overload the reading list with a Don’t overload the reading list with a particular type of book.particular type of book.Choose at least one riotously funny Choose at least one riotously funny book.book.


Ordering BooksOrdering Books

Scholastic Book Fairs and Scholastic Scholastic Book Fairs and Scholastic Library Group will give you titles off Library Group will give you titles off their lists at remarkably reduced their lists at remarkably reduced rates.rates.

BAMM.com (Books-A-Million) provides BAMM.com (Books-A-Million) provides a 20-40% discount and free shipping.a 20-40% discount and free shipping.

Barnes & Noble provides 20% off and Barnes & Noble provides 20% off and free shipping.free shipping.


Snagging SponsorsSnagging Sponsors

Book vendors for free books, Book vendors for free books, discounted books.discounted books.

Restaurants for snacks and lunchtime Restaurants for snacks and lunchtime desserts.desserts.

Pizza restaurants for discounted Pizza restaurants for discounted lunches.lunches.

Grocery stores for paper products, Grocery stores for paper products, waters, desserts.waters, desserts.

Local businesses for t-shirts.Local businesses for t-shirts.


Managing BooksManaging Books(before and after competition)(before and after competition)

Cataloging books-give a list of Cataloging books-give a list of participants to LMSparticipants to LMS– Catalog as hidden items orCatalog as hidden items or– Catalog as separate collectionCatalog as separate collection

Circulating books (out of LMC)Circulating books (out of LMC)– Give a list of participants to LMSGive a list of participants to LMS

What to do What to do after after the competitionthe competition– Share books with other schools as Share books with other schools as

appropriateappropriate


Coaches’ ResponsibilitiesCoaches’ ResponsibilitiesREAD! READ! READ! – Be sure to read all of the books READ! READ! READ! – Be sure to read all of the books on your list so that you can be an active participant, on your list so that you can be an active participant, too.too.Make sure the BOB books are processed in a timely Make sure the BOB books are processed in a timely manner by the library media specialists.manner by the library media specialists.Offer BOB to all students in the school – Remind them Offer BOB to all students in the school – Remind them that 6 team members will be chosen in that 6 team members will be chosen in December/January and they must have read all books.December/January and they must have read all books.Distribute BOB flyers and bookmarks.Distribute BOB flyers and bookmarks.As BOB participants read the selections, have them As BOB participants read the selections, have them turn in 20 questions electronically to you – these turn in 20 questions electronically to you – these questions will be used by you in the spring to practice questions will be used by you in the spring to practice with for the competition. with for the competition. Use BOB wikis or blogs to facilitate student dialogue Use BOB wikis or blogs to facilitate student dialogue about BOB books. about BOB books. Submit questions to grade level test creator.Submit questions to grade level test creator.Use official BOB test in December/January to determine Use official BOB test in December/January to determine the team of six for the spring competition.the team of six for the spring competition.


Coaches’ ResponsibilitiesCoaches’ Responsibilities

Meet 2 hours a week with the team to practice for Meet 2 hours a week with the team to practice for the competitions. Buzzers will be used like the competitions. Buzzers will be used like Scholars’ Bowl so you will want to practice game Scholars’ Bowl so you will want to practice game rules as well.rules as well.Fill out Activities Permission Request. Give to Fill out Activities Permission Request. Give to principal at least 15 days before event. Include principal at least 15 days before event. Include “Volunteer Driver Transporting Students in “Volunteer Driver Transporting Students in Privately Owned Cars” form filled out by drivers – Privately Owned Cars” form filled out by drivers – has to be on file in school office.has to be on file in school office.Fill out System Professional Leave Request.Fill out System Professional Leave Request.Request a substitute, if necessary.Request a substitute, if necessary.Send home permission forms.Send home permission forms.Post-competition, submit Stipend Request Form.Post-competition, submit Stipend Request Form.


Getting the Word OutGetting the Word Out

BOB FlyersBOB Flyers

BOB BookmarksBOB Bookmarks

School BroadcastSchool Broadcast

School Newsletters School Newsletters

Student NewspaperStudent Newspaper


Recruiting Team MembersRecruiting Team Members

Interested StudentsInterested Students

Ask interested students to bring a Ask interested students to bring a friendfriend

Literature teachersLiterature teachers

School counselorSchool counselor

Library workersLibrary workers


Using Library 2.0 with BOBUsing Library 2.0 with BOB

BOB BlogsBOB Blogs

BOB WikisBOB Wikis

BOB PodcastingBOB Podcasting


Narrowing the Team DownNarrowing the Team Down

Natural AttritionNatural Attrition

Use test to choose final 6 members Use test to choose final 6 members of teamof team

Other students who continue to Other students who continue to practice were invited to our practice were invited to our competition as “assistant coaches.”competition as “assistant coaches.”


Communicating with Communicating with ParentsParents

All cell phones and electronic devices must be All cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off during the competition.turned off during the competition.Participants and observers who are waiting in the Participants and observers who are waiting in the hall need to be completely quiet while waiting in hall need to be completely quiet while waiting in the hall for rounds to end.the hall for rounds to end.Once a round begins, no one can enter the room. Once a round begins, no one can enter the room. Those waiting in the hall should do so quietly and Those waiting in the hall should do so quietly and can enter a competition room for the next round. can enter a competition room for the next round. We ask that you please not bring young children – We ask that you please not bring young children – babies and preschoolers – to the Battle of the babies and preschoolers – to the Battle of the Books competition. Each round is approximately Books competition. Each round is approximately 30 minutes and we must maintain silence from 30 minutes and we must maintain silence from the audience during the competition.the audience during the competition.


How do I get BOB How do I get BOB questions?questions?

Write your own! Write your own! – Have student participants and/or coaches Have student participants and/or coaches

submit questions.submit questions.

Hire someone to write them.Hire someone to write them.– Buy set of books for the question writer.Buy set of books for the question writer.– Provide plenty of time to read at least Provide plenty of time to read at least

twice, highlight, write in margins, use post-twice, highlight, write in margins, use post-it flags.it flags.

– Use spreadsheet formulas to determine Use spreadsheet formulas to determine how many questions per book are needed.how many questions per book are needed.


BOB OfficialsBOB Officials

Each room needs the following officials:Each room needs the following officials:– Moderator/ReaderModerator/Reader

Official “rule keeper and enforcer”; “runs the Official “rule keeper and enforcer”; “runs the room”room”Reads all questionsReads all questionsRules on any objections filed by team captainsRules on any objections filed by team captains

– TimekeeperTimekeeperKeeps the official timeKeeps the official timeClears and checks buzzersClears and checks buzzers

– ScorekeeperScorekeeperKeeps the official scoreKeeps the official scoreFiles team/individual scores with Central Files team/individual scores with Central ScorekeepingScorekeeping


Central Scorekeeping Central Scorekeeping (and why it’s important)(and why it’s important)

Central Scorekeeping should be Central Scorekeeping should be manned by at least two non-biased manned by at least two non-biased individuals with scholars bowl or BOB individuals with scholars bowl or BOB experience. experience.

One laptop with pre-programmed One laptop with pre-programmed spreadsheet with all teams, student spreadsheet with all teams, student names for easy computation.names for easy computation.

Stock extra supplies: paper, pencils, Stock extra supplies: paper, pencils, scoresheets, snacks for officials, etc.scoresheets, snacks for officials, etc.


Scheduling the BOB Scheduling the BOB CompetitionCompetition

Welcome & Introductions at 8:30ish.Welcome & Introductions at 8:30ish.Each 4-period round lasts 25-30 minutes.Each 4-period round lasts 25-30 minutes.If you have less than 9 teams, each team If you have less than 9 teams, each team should play all other teams.should play all other teams.If you have 9 or more teams, consider If you have 9 or more teams, consider playing a “bracket-style” tournament playing a “bracket-style” tournament with a championship round for a shorter with a championship round for a shorter day.day.End with lunch and awards (or End with lunch and awards (or championship round).championship round).


Setting Up Setting Up RoomsRooms

Each competition room will need:Each competition room will need:– A table for the officials with 3 chairsA table for the officials with 3 chairs– A table for each team, with 4 chairs at A table for each team, with 4 chairs at

each tableeach table– Chairs set up for spectatorsChairs set up for spectators– A set of buzzersA set of buzzers– 12+ sharpened pencils12+ sharpened pencils– Scratch paperScratch paper– ScoresheetsScoresheets– Water & mints for the officialsWater & mints for the officials


Media & Public RelationsMedia & Public Relations

Contact TV, radio, and newspapers at Contact TV, radio, and newspapers at least one week ahead of the competition least one week ahead of the competition with an official press release. with an official press release.

Send a reminder via email to media Send a reminder via email to media contacts the day before the event.contacts the day before the event.

Send a press release the day after the Send a press release the day after the event with photographs of winning teams event with photographs of winning teams (identify students by name clearly).(identify students by name clearly).


Making It a Day to Making It a Day to RememberRemember

Welcome signs and banners Welcome signs and banners recognizing students and sponsors.recognizing students and sponsors.Encourage superintendent and other Encourage superintendent and other CO personnel to attend opening CO personnel to attend opening remarks and awards ceremony.remarks and awards ceremony.BegBeg administrators to come watch administrators to come watch their teams compete!their teams compete!Play music during transition time.Play music during transition time.Take pictures of teams and post to Take pictures of teams and post to webpage.webpage.




Feeding the Feeding the MassesMasses

Breakfast for OfficialsBreakfast for Officials

Brainy Snack for Students at 9:30 Brainy Snack for Students at 9:30 a.m.a.m.

Snacks available all day for officials Snacks available all day for officials in Central Scorekeeping Roomin Central Scorekeeping Room

Pizza Lunch & Dessert for all Pizza Lunch & Dessert for all students, coaches, and officials.students, coaches, and officials.


T-shirtsT-shirts

Hold BOB logo contest.Hold BOB logo contest.Let each team pick a color shirt and Let each team pick a color shirt and print all shirts in white or black ink.print all shirts in white or black ink.100% cotton Hanes tees will run $4-5 100% cotton Hanes tees will run $4-5 screen-printed with your logo.screen-printed with your logo.One year, we printed on the front One year, we printed on the front only and teams wrote their only and teams wrote their names/drew on the back of their names/drew on the back of their shirts.shirts.


Trophies & AwardsTrophies & Awards

Recognize the following:Recognize the following:– 11stst Place Team Place Team– 22ndnd Place Team Place Team

– 11stst Place Individual Place Individual– 22ndnd Place Individual Place Individual

– Top Scoring Individual from Each TeamTop Scoring Individual from Each Team


2009-2010 BOB Books2009-2010 BOB Books

Intermediate SchoolsIntermediate Schools– Heat Heat by Mike Lupicaby Mike Lupica– Canned Canned by Alex Shererby Alex Sherer– How to Steal a Dog How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connorby Barbara O’Connor– The London Eye Mystery The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan by Siobhan

DowdDowd– Absolutely Normal Chaos Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon by Sharon

CreechCreech– Masterpiece Masterpiece by Elise Broachby Elise Broach



Middle SchoolsMiddle Schools– GoneGone by Michael Grant by Michael Grant– Graveyard BookGraveyard Book by Neil Gaiman by Neil Gaiman– Hunger GamesHunger Games by Suzanne Collins by Suzanne Collins– ScatScat by Carl Hiaasen by Carl Hiaasen– Sucks to be MeSucks to be Me by Kimberly Pauley by Kimberly Pauley– SurefireSurefire by Jack Higgins by Jack Higgins



High SchoolsHigh Schools– CompoundCompound by S. A. Bodeen by S. A. Bodeen– The Year We Disappeared: A Father-The Year We Disappeared: A Father-

Daughter MemoirDaughter Memoir by Cylin Busby & John by Cylin Busby & John BusbyBusby

– 13 Reasons Why13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher by Jay Asher– Oh. My. Gods.Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs by Tera Lynn Childs– Blood BrothersBlood Brothers by S. A. Harazin by S. A. Harazin– Impossible Impossible by Nancy Werlinby Nancy Werlin


For More Information…For More Information…

Materials on Shelby County Materials on Shelby County Website:Website:

http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/Staff/hmays/battleofthebooks.htm

Heather MaysHeather MaysSupervisor, Library Media & Fine ArtsSupervisor, Library Media & Fine Arts

Shelby County SchoolsShelby County Schools

601 1601 1stst Street South Street South

Alabaster, AL 35007Alabaster, AL 35007

[email protected]

Documents

Battle of the Books