• Bearden's Battle of the Books

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    The Battle of the Books is a reading competition designed to improve reading and comprehension while building enthusiasm for reading using a fun and unique competition format. Students will compete in teams to demonstrate their knowledge of ten preselected books.

    Students in 4th and 5th grade are eligible to compete. Students need to read a minimum of three of the "Battle" books by January 11, 2024 to be eligible to serve on a team. Students are encouraged to read as many of these books as possible.  Students may find books in their ELA teacher's classroom, the school library, in the public library(both physical and digital), at the bookfair, and at bookstores.  The PTSO generously donated enough books so that every student has the opportunity to read them.  The competitions will begin in February and end before spring break.

    The librarian and ELA teachers will help students find a team. Students are expected to form a team name and elect a team captain.  Students may practice with their team before, during and after school hours. However, most of the work can be done individually.  

    This year’s books were selected from the 2023-2024 Volunteer State Book Award Nominee list. These books include a variety of genres, reading levels, and themes. This year’s list includes: This year’s list includes: Odder by Katherine Applegate, Freddie vs. the Family Curse by Tracy Badua, Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd, Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Omar Rising by Aisha Saeed, Thirst by Varsha Bajaj, Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum, Confessions of a Class Clown by Arianne Costner,The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart and A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga. Donations of these books are appreciated.

    Come back to complete an online survey to join the 2023-4 competition by January 11th.

     

  • Battle of the Books Rules:

    The Battle will consist of 20 questions.

    The answer to all questions will be the title of the book.  Bonus points will be given for the author’s name/authors’ names.

    The moderator will read each question twice.

    After the question is read, both teams will have 20 seconds to discuss and determine the answer.

    Team members may only communicate (talk or gesture) with one another only after the question has been read twice.  If a team member speaks during the second reading of the question, or another inappropriate time, the team will first be given a warning.  For a second offense and additional offenses, the team will be given a 2 point penalty.

    Teams may huddle while deciding upon an answer.

    Each team will designate one member as the spokesperson for the team.  Only the spokesperson for the team may respond to the question. While that person is talking, everyone else must be silent.

    Once the spokesperson begins to respond with a title and author, only that title and author will be accepted as the team’s answer.  If the spokesperson attempts to change the team’s answer after beginning, the answer will be judged incorrect and no points will be awarded.

    Four (4) points will be awarded for each correct book title.  One (1) bonus point will be awarded for the author’s last name or authors’ last names.   

    If a team fails to answer the question correctly within the allotted time, the opposing team who will then have 10 seconds in which to confer and answer.  The question will not be read again, so teams need to pay attention the first time.