Rules

Dear Parents / Guardians, Your son or daughter has expressed interest in participating in our //Battle of// //the Books Program// for the 2010-11 school year. Please read the following guidelines and if you would like your son or daughter to participate, please sign the form at the bottom of this letter and return it to **Mrs.** **Bitar @ your child's Elementary School** by December 1, 2010. What it is: Battle of the Books is a reading motivation program. The goals are to encourage and to recognize students who enjoy reading and to broaden their reading interests. It also encourages teamwork and strategy because students compete in the “Battle of the Books” (similar to “Reach for the Top”) in teams of 3- 5 students. **//The questions emphasize reading for detail//** rather than broad concepts. New lists of books for each grade level are compiled each year by a committee of teacher-librarians. The titles vary as to the type and difficulty so that readers encounter a broad range of books. The books chosen are either **//at grade level or above grade level//**//.// The books chosen are from different genres with a variety of subject areas, plots, settings and styles. The books have been chosen to appeal equally to boys and girls. Lists of books are chosen for grade 3. There are 10 books on the reading list. Students read each book, rate the book out of 5, parent signs reading log and hand in the reading log to me. I will meet with the students, outside class time (after school from 3:15- 4:00), on a regular basis, to ensure each student is keeping up. **Each student must have read 1 book when we meet during the first week** **of January.** In order to improve the process and emphasize student accountability, there will be no exceptions regarding this deadline. I have emphasized this with the students; please ensure that your son or daughter understands this. During the second phase (January and February ), students who have completed the 1 book; continue to read and meet with me and their teammates on a regular basis. We will practice correctly answering questions based on the books, in teams of 3-5. The questions used all begin with “In what book….” so that the answer will always be the title of the book. **All students who compete in our school Battle of the Books must have** **read at least 3 books from the book list, and attended our practice sessions** **regularly prior to the Battle of the Books.**
 * Battle of the Books Reading Program: 2010-11**

In early March we will have our NKASD Valley Battle of the Books to determine which School wins our Battle of the Books. More information will follow at a later date. We have at least 3 copies of each title in our school library. Students may read the books in any order. The New Kensington Library has the book lists as well with multiple copies of each title. I wish all the students who participate in Battle of the Books a wonderful year of reading! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at school or email: nbitar@nkasd.com Mrs. Bitar Gift Coordinator Instructional Coach Technology Coach Please complete and return to Mrs. Bitar by December 1. Student name Grade_ __ I give my permission for my son or daughter (named above) to participate __ __ in Battle of the Books. **My son or daughter understands that minimum** __ __ **reading requirements must be met in order to participate in the** __ __ **competitions held in.** __

Parent/Guardian Signature_ Date