The Battle of the Books Reading Tournament

West Allegheny School District

WHAT IS THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS?

The Battle of the Books program is designed to encourage reading and to give recognition to those who like to read. Team members read from a list of selected books that can be found in the school library, public library or bookstore. They compete with other teams by answering questions based on the books. Although one team is awarded first place, we feel that all of the participants are winners!

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE?

All fourth and fifth grade students in the West Allegheny School District are eligible to participate.

HOW DO STUDENTS JOIN A TEAM?

Participants organize a team of three to five students. Each team must have an adult team manager and chooses its own name. If you are interested in participating, but are unable to find enough team members, please contact your school librarian.

WHAT DOES THE TEAM MANAGER DO?

The adult team manager must be a parent or guardian over the age of 18. The team manager’s responsibilities include: filling out and returning the registration form to the library, keeping team members motivated, reviewing books with the team members and attending the informational meeting and the tournament. The team manager must also serve as a monitor and oversee the scoring of another team on the night of the competition.

****The team manager must have current state ACT 34 and 151 child abuse and criminal record clearances on file in the school office. Forms can be downloaded by going to the elementary school’s home page and clicking on Parent Resources in the column on the left.

HOW DOES A TEAM REGISTER?

The team manager fills out the registration form and returns it to the school library beginning October 17 through November 22, 2011. Only one registration form is needed per team. Each student on the team must return a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian in order to participate. Both of these forms are included in this packet.

An informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at 6:30 PM in the McKee Cafeteria. It is strongly recommended that team members and the team manager attend this meeting. If you are unable to attend, please contact your school librarian. At the meeting, copies of the reading list and the tournament procedures and rules will be distributed and discussed. Barnes and Noble will be selling copies of the books for those who wish to purchase them. Each school library will have multiple copies of every title available.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR THE COMPETITION?

The Tournament will be held in the Donaldson Auditorium at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. Team members must arrive by 6:00 PM. After the announcer reads a question twice, each team will have time to confer and decide upon the answer to the question. A team member will write the answer on the paper provided. Answers must be complete and specific. Four points are awarded for the correct response and an additional point is given if the team writes the author’s last name.

Team Spirit

Each team should design a shield which will be displayed in the gym on the night of the tournament. Poster board for this project will be given out at the informational meeting. Team members can create a team cheer or chant to be recited at the tournament. They may also choose to dress in team t-shirts or hats.

Please phone or email your school librarian if you have any questions.

DonaldsonMrs. Beth

WilsonMrs. Nancy

McKeeMrs. Denise Medwick724.693.8451