Birmingham Battle of the Books

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Birmingham Battle of the Books
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A Challenge for Students with a Passion for
Reading

• We invite all fourth and fifth grade students,
  who have a passion for reading and who crave a
  challenge, to participate in a Battle of the
  Books competition.
• This is a unique opportunity for students to read
  challenging books from a variety of genres. The
  challenge of Battle books lies in conflicts and
  issues, advanced/more mature reading, and the
  discussion that engages the students after
  reading these titles. Parents are encouraged to
  read and discuss the books with their children.

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• Students are encouraged to participate in book
  clubs. In the book club format, teachers meet
  with students to discuss the issues in the books
  and prepare for the competition. These book clubs
  may meet at either lunchtime, before, or after
  school.
•  
• Students from Pembroke, Greenfield and Birmingham
  Covington School will join together for the Big
  Battle. The Battle will be held at Covington
  School on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 from 915
  a.m. until 100 p.m. Each team will consist of a
  combination of grades and schools.

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• Battle Team Qualification It is imperative that
  students who wish to participate in the Battle on
  February 11, 2009 pass ACCELERATED READER TESTS
  on at least six Battle Books by the end of the
  school day on Tuesday, January 13, 2009, in order
  to qualify for a team. Battle teammates will be
  responsible for at least two books on which they
  become experts.
• After qualifying for a Battle team, we strongly
  encourage students to continue reading in order
  to earn higher ribbons or a gold medal. The
  final deadline for taking tests is Monday,
  February 2, 2009.
•  

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Battle Permission Slip

• Battle Permission Tear-Off
• (Please return to your Enrichment Specialist)
•  
• I wish to participate in the Enrichment
  Battle of the Books. I understand that I must
  pass Accelerated Reader tests on six of the ten
  books by Tuesday, January 13, 2009, in order to
  qualify for a battle team. I also understand that
  I will become an expert on at least two Battle
  titles.
•  
• Name ___________________________ Grade
  ___Teacher__________________
• Student Signature ___________________________
  _______________________
• Parent Signature_____________________________
  ______________________
• Reminder- We strongly encourage students to
  continue reading in order to earn higher ribbons
  or a gold medal. The final deadline for taking AR
  tests is Monday, February 2, 2009.

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• CERTIFICATE, RIBBON, MEDAL QUALIFICATIONS
• A certificate of participation-minimum of one
  book
• Battle ribbons six-nine books
• Gold medal all ten books
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• The Battle is the culminating activity for the
  students. Teams meet and answer 30 questions on
  the ten battle books.

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Battle Day Pictures
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Battle Book Names

• The Last Dragon
• The Alchemyst
• Give Me Liberty
• Blood on the River
• Home of the Brave
• Rules
• No Talking
• Out of Patience
• Chu Jus House
• Time Travelers

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Battle Winners

• Battle Day

• Fun! Fun! Fun!

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Battle Ticket

•  Name__________________________
• Name and author of your book.
• ______________________________________________
• Write 5 questions about your book. Then write 2
  I wonder questions. Please remember to put the
  page number of the answer to each question.
• 1.
• 2.
• 3.
  
• 4.
• 5.
• I wonder
• I wonder
•  
•  

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Two Battles

• There are actually two battles. The first battle
  is a battle between the ten books. Each student
  participant who reads a battle book and passes an
  AR test will have the opportunity to rate the
  book, noting whether he/she
• LOVED THE BOOK
• THE BOOK WAS JUST O.K. OR
• THE BOOK WAS NOT MY CUP OF TEA
• (The stickers will be in the basket out of my
  room.)
• You will vote for your favorite book at the Big
  Battle.

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2nd Battle Between the Books
Which book will be Pembroke/Greenfields favorite
this year?
You will have an opportunity to vote on each book
that is read. Chart your preferences by voting
with green(I LOVED it!), yellow (It was OK.), or
red (It wasnt my cup of tea.) Vote on the
bulletin board outside my classroom.
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Battle of the Books Reading Log

• When scheduling your reading, remember
• You have 70 days to qualify for The Battle of the
  Books team. That gives you approximately 10
  1/2weeks to read six books and pass the AR tests.
• You have 90 days to qualify for a Battle of the
  Books gold medal or a higher ribbon. That gives
  you about 9 days to read each book and pass the
  AR test. 

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• Tips to help you do your best in the Battle of
  the Books
• Plan out your reading times for each day. Use
  before and after school times.
• Plan out which books youll read and when youll
  read them. Some are longer and more challenging
  than others.
• Read shorter, less challenging books during busy
  weeks.
• Cant find the book you wanted available in our
  school media center? Books are also available at
  the Baldwin Public Library, Southfield Public
  Library, Borders, and Barnes and Noble.
•  

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• Review the book the night before you take the AR
  test so that the book is fresh in your mind.
• You can enjoy a book in a few different ways
  alone, listening to it, or shared reading with a
  parent.
• Please remember that we want as many students as
  possible to participate. So, if you get a late
  start or get off track in your reading, please
  seek your teachers help or Ms. Taylor-Hills
  help in planning out how you can be a part of the
  battle.
• Try to take your AR test as soon as possible
  after reading the book.
•  We hope everyone will read at least one book.
• Do your best and go for the gold!
  

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The Challenge Awaits You!!!

• Battle Book Club Sign up

• After you have finished reading and taking an AR
  test on a book, you will be able to sign up and
  attend a Book Club.
• The sign up sheets will be on the bulletin board
  in the 4th 5th grade hallway.
• You must have a Battle Ticket completed to attend
  the Book Club.