February 20, 2012
Battle of the Books
Dear Parent,
I have selected the teams and the books for the Battle of the Books which will be held sometime in May. Please check these and let me know immediately if you find some problem in my selections of either teams or books.
This procedure for reading the books can be determined by the team moderators, but I have several suggestions.
1. Those students who are above average readers should read all 5 books.
2. If you have students on your team who are reluctant readers, you may limit the books they read.
3. When deciding which students read which books, a good idea is to make each student primarily responsible (the expert) for two books.
4. I find that if students take notes or make their own questions for the books for which they are responsible, they retain information longer.
The team moderators might wish to practice with their teams using questions they, themselves have made or questions the students have made.
I will probably have several after school practices in early May to prepare for the tournament.
Each team should select a name for themselves, and can decide on some type of matching outfit to wear at the tournament: Matching t-shirts with the team name, special costumes, hats, etc. (Be creative.)
I will try to find time at school for each student to create a shield to display the day of the tournament.
I will be more than happy to answer any questions about the tournament. Email me or call me at 412-486-1138.
I will try to purchase some of the books to be read and distribute them among the teams. However, team members might have to purchase some books. I have informed Barnes and Nobles and they should be able to secure the books, all of which, except The 39 Clues: Maze of Bones, are available in paperback.
Team members should start to read immediately.
I hope this is a good educational experience, and an enjoyable one for everyone involved.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bishop
Battle of the Books Reading List
The 39 Clues – Maze of Bones by Rick Riordin
Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Battle of the Books Teams
Team 1
Elizabeth Giuffre
Hannah Collins
Jordan Kipp
Jewell Condosta
Moderators: Mrs. Giuffre and Mrs. Kipp
Team 2
Patrick Kiszka
Meredith Massaro
Julie Kiszka
Charlie Massaro
Moderator: Mrs. Massaro
Team 3
Audrey Grainy
Anna Marie Hart
John Saunders
Max Wolfendale
Emma Fuhrer
Moderators: Mrs. Grainy and Mrs. Hart
Team 4
Lucas Wilmar
Max Wilmar
Hunter Hettinger
Margaret Terry
Tarah Fuller
Moderator: Mrs. Wilmar
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday and Read Across America Celebrations
Thursday, March 1, 2012
· Green Eggs and Ham lunch in the cafeteria
Friday, March 2, 2012
· Students sign and color the Read Across America oath and teachers display these in the halls and classrooms.
Monday, March 5, 2012
· Forensics students in grade 5-8 will read Dr. Seuss books for the elementary students grades k-4 in their classrooms.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
· Elementary teachers will do activities with their students in the classroom. Elementary teachers will rotate and share their favorite Dr. Seuss book with the students.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
· Selected students in grades 5-8 will read their original poems in the style of Dr. Seuss to the elementary students grades k-4 in their classrooms. All poems will be displayed in the halls.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
· Book Character Hat Day – Students are to wear a hat that depicts their favorite book character. Members of student council will judge the best hat in each grade on creativity, originality, and appropriateness to the theme. Winners in each grade will have their pictures in the yearbook and be rewarded a children’s book.
Forensics students who have literature based selections will be recording their selections, which will be incorporated into a CD to be given to the Aspinwall VA Hospital and local nursing homes.
Library News
1. Monthly Reading Contest
Each month there will be a display of the names of the books the students in grades 1-5 have read. Every time a student completes reading a book, he/she will print the name of the book, author, and their name on the symbol for the month. (For October we will use pumpkins.) Parents may help kindergarten and first grade with reading. Students are not to return the symbol if they have not read the entire book. Mrs. Bishop will have the symbols available in the library for the students to take home when they have library class. Students will return the symbol to Mrs. Bishop. These will be displayed, and at the end of the month, all symbols will be put in a raffle. One entry will be drawn and that student will receive a book for him/her to keep.
2. Birthday Books and Memorial Books
Birthday books and memorial books may be donated to the library in the following manner:
a. Purchase the book and send it to Mrs. Bishop with the appropriate information for the book plate.
i. Birthday Books: Student’s full name, grade and birthdate
ii. Memorial Books: Full name of the person for whom the book is being donated
b. Send a check (at least $20.00) and all the above appropriate information to Mrs. Bishop and she will purchase the book.
3. Volunteers are needed to help in the Library. A parent may wish to volunteer during the time his/her child has library, or for a morning or afternoon on Tuesday or Thursday. The work isn’t hard, but very fulfilling and much needed. If you wish to volunteer, fill out the form below and return it to the office. Grades 1-5 have library at these times:
a. Kindergarten – 8:30-9:05 Thursdays
b. Grade 1 – 11:35-12:35 Thursdays
c. Grade 2 – 9:45 – 10:25 Thursdays
d. Grade 3 – 9:45 – 10:35 Tuesdays
e. Grade 4 – 11:55 – 12:35 Tuesdays
f. Grade 5 – 10:30 – 11:10 Tuesdays
___________________________________________________
(Name)
I wish to volunteer in the library on __________________________________________________________________.
(Dates)
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Composition Grades 5 and 6 - Students are working on projects for Black History Month including a research report on a famous black person and a poem or essay about Jackie Robinson. They are also working on an original poem in the manner of Dr. Seuss.
Composition Grades 7, and 8
Students are working on a ten+ page drama to be entered in City Theatre's Young Playwright Competition. They are also working on a report on a famous Black person for Black History Month and an original poem in the manner of Dr. Seuss.
NOTE: All classes are to return the Jackie Robinson entry form signed by parents.
Forensic Practices
Your child has expressed a desire to be part of the school’s Forensics Team.
Parents can help by being certain their child practices and by offering constructive criticism.
Please discuss the benefits gained from forensics with your child. Such competition not only strengthens oral communication skills, but also builds poise, confidence, responsibility, and commitment in each participant.
Please sign the attached form and return it to me if your child can stay for after school practices. The attached form is for student after school practices.
We will hold after school practices on the dates below. Let me know what days you would be able to help with the practices. It is essential that parents help at these practices because I can only listen to one child at a time and some children will not be able to practice if parents do not help.
If you can help, please call the school office, drop me a note, or sign the form below.
Forensic Parental Volunteer Form
Please check the appropriate dates:
I am available for after school practices on the following Tuesdays from 3:00-3:45 Practices will be held in the school library.
January 24 ____ February 21 ____ March 20 ____
January 31 ____ February 28 ____
February 7 ____ March 6 ____
February 14 ____ March 13 ____
Parent’s Name: __________________________________________________
Please call me if you sign up to help but are unable to attend.
FORENSIC TOURNAMENT DATES
February 25 at Holy Trinity
Finals - March 10 at Butler Catholic
All Stars - March 17 at St. Maurice
Novice Tournaments:
March 24 at St. Ursula
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