Questions

Questions Answered Here Feel free to post any questions you have about Battle of the Books. We will do our best to answer them in a timely fashion. If you see a question for which you have an answer or suggestion, feel free to add your own advice. This is a collaborative effort. Together we can ensure that all Battle of the Books participants have a positive experience.

No. Participants should read at least 10-12 books. Many of the participants read more. If a students chooses to read all 40 books, that accomplishment will be recognized with a special pin awarded to those students at the regional competition.
 * Do all the kids have to read all the books? **

Because Battle of the Books is sponsored by the Gifted and Advanced Learning Program, all students identified for services should be given the opportunity to participate and students must be identified for program services to participate. The books on the list are chosen specifically for gifted and advanced students.
 * Do we invite all GT kids, or just those who like to read? I am struggling to figure out what kids to invite to be in it. What about kids that want to be in it that are not in GT, are they allowed to be in it? **

We provide the questions for the building-level competition and the questions are multiple choice. We will also post a list of practice questions on the resource page later in the semester. All questions for the competition are recall questions. For purposes of discussion, we encourage coaches to use higher level questions to engage the team members. A list of discussion questions can also be found on the resources page. We have also had students write questions as they read and have used those to quiz the teams as part of the preparation for competition.
 * How does the building-level questioning go? **

You can hold your own competition in anytime in February, or we can come and do it for you.
 * Do I set up the building competition or does someone come in and do that for the different teams at each school? **

Two teams advance from each middle school. If your building only has two teams, both would advance to the regional competition and you can use the building level competition as a practice round.
 * How many teams advance from each school? Is it just the top scoring team? **

Teams compete as a group. The group discusses the answer and responds with a final answer. The idea is to promote teamwork and collaboration.
 * How do the teams compete? Does the group discuss and respond with a final answer, or is it one student answers each question? **

We will provide the school level competition questions. You do not need to create your own questions.
 * Where do we get the test for them to take for the school level competition? Do I need to create the questions, or are they ready to go and will be sent out to us? **

Building teams need to be determined the week of February 26-March 2. You can decide when to hold the competition during that week. If you would like to have either Christie McConathy or Jenny Schiltz, District Battle of the Books Co-ordinators, come and help with that competition, that can be arranged. For more information about the times and dates of the regional competitions, check the calendar tab on this site.
 * What is the cutoff date for the 1st battle? I have been telling my kids before spring break, but is there a set date to do this? **

If you only have one team, you can use the building round questions as a practice session. That team will represent your building at the regional competition.
 * I only have 1 team left, do they still do the first round of battles, or do they just keep studying and move on due to no other teams? **

You will need to arrange for your own sub, however, the Gifted and Advanced Learning Department will pay for for him/her.
 * Do I need to arrange for a sub for that afternoon, or is that taken care of as well? **

Yes, each building provides transportation for your team. We do not provide bussing. In the past, some teams have taken the city bus to the competition.
 * Do I need to arrange for transportation or is that provided? **