Battle of the Books

Our school does the Wisconsin Battle of the Books and here are some suggestions from other coaches as to what they do with their students to prepare for the Battle.

•  l went to all the middle school reading classes and book talked the BOB list in September to create interest and get the kids to start reading the books.. Teams signed up in December. After the Christmas break we met during lunch time once a week to quiz each other on the books using the questions provided. I also gave them spelling tests at the beginning each meeting in Jan. to make sure they knew the authors and correct spellings. One thing that was a big hit was an after school practice night where I provided treats and prizes. We played Jeopardy using questions from the books.
  
  At the end of the year we had a pizza and ice cream party after school and played BOB Bingo. I have several kids looking forward to participating next year. Hopefully someone will take over for me. It is a great program and the WEMTA volunteers do a wonderful job of organizing and providing resources for us.
  
  Carla
• I create bookmarks that have a check box in front of the title so that the students can check the book off their list after they have read it.  

•    When the practice questions come out I print them and put a code for the correct book on each question.  I cut them up and divide them into groups.  Then I try to get the students to come in and practice with the practice questions.  when I coached elementary teams, I set up a schedule for them to come in and practice with the questions. Now that I am in a middle school, it is impossible to get teams together to practice. I encourage them individually to take the practice quizzes.

Mary Hayes

Antigo

• I am in HS. I created a Google Doc spreadsheet with booklist, meeting dates, and email/contact information of those on team(s). Students have access/editing permissions to go in and sign up to read books and check off when completed. When I schedule meetings I send (share) notices through Google docs. At meetings students help plan future meeting dates/activities. They sometimes just like to sit around and have book discussions. During practice months we capitalize on meeting and utilizing opportunities. We have refreshments and snacks. Communication is key.

Nancy Biese

• I have students use index cards and make flashcards for themselves.  On one side the author, the other the title.  They can quiz themselves.  Some will make a couple sets so they can keep one set in the car, backpack, etc.

• I also write out questions from the books as I read them that are in the same format as the questions asked during the competition.  These I also put on index cards (for myself.)  I continue to add more questions with each meeting we have.  Then the last couple weeks before competition, I'll go through all of them.  If I don't get all the books read, I will have some upperclassmen who were past battle participants write some questions up for me.  They love this!  And are eager to help.  

• I also have each student do a 'book talk' on the book they read.  We discuss them plot, characters, setting, etc.