Dear 3rd Grade Middle Creek Elementary Students and Parents,
America’s Battle of the Books is a National reading program that allows students to partake in a reading game competition based on a pre-determined selection of books.
Battle of the Books aims to provide students with an incentive to read and get more out of reading; the program also aims to promote teamwork and collaboration amongst its participants.
Over the course of the year, students are encouraged to read as many of the titles on their list as they can. In the spring, they will be placed in teams of 4 or 5 with the hopes that each book will have been read by at least one team member. On May 13th, a battle will take place amongst the participating teams. Questions will be in the format “In what book__________________?” and put a heavier emphasis on reader analysis versus regurgitation of plot.
For example:
In what book does the protagonist venture into uncommon grounds and develop great compassion towards a character he no longer views as a slave, but as a friend?
Answer: Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The example shown above is beyond 5th grade reading level, but it gives a clear example of how questions will train students to think beyond the literal level and dig through to find deeper meaning in their reading.
After we receive signed permission letters (download the 3rd grade permission form HERE), we will start meeting monthly (probably during lunch) to discuss the various books in an informal, fun format. In the meantime, you will find the book lists on the reverse side. If this program sounds interesting, please start reading from your grade level list and enjoy! Set the goal to read half of your list by the end of January to be in shape for the competition in May.
Happy Reading Middle Creek Students!
Sincerely,
Denise Walsh [email protected]
3rd grade reading list
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
A Lion to Guard Us by Clyde Robert Bulla
Continued on back…….
Tornado by Betsy Byars
Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
Molly’s Pilgrims by Barbara Cohen
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Boxcar Children by Gertrude Warner
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
America’s Battle of the Books is a National reading program that allows students to partake in a reading game competition based on a pre-determined selection of books.
Battle of the Books aims to provide students with an incentive to read and get more out of reading; the program also aims to promote teamwork and collaboration amongst its participants.
Over the course of the year, students are encouraged to read as many of the titles on their list as they can. In the spring, they will be placed in teams of 4 or 5 with the hopes that each book will have been read by at least one team member. On May 13th, a battle will take place amongst the participating teams. Questions will be in the format “In what book__________________?” and put a heavier emphasis on reader analysis versus regurgitation of plot.
For example:
In what book does the protagonist venture into uncommon grounds and develop great compassion towards a character he no longer views as a slave, but as a friend?
Answer: Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The example shown above is beyond 5th grade reading level, but it gives a clear example of how questions will train students to think beyond the literal level and dig through to find deeper meaning in their reading.
After we receive signed permission letters (download the 3rd grade permission form HERE), we will start meeting monthly (probably during lunch) to discuss the various books in an informal, fun format. In the meantime, you will find the book lists on the reverse side. If this program sounds interesting, please start reading from your grade level list and enjoy! Set the goal to read half of your list by the end of January to be in shape for the competition in May.
Happy Reading Middle Creek Students!
Sincerely,
Denise Walsh [email protected]
3rd grade reading list
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
A Lion to Guard Us by Clyde Robert Bulla
Continued on back…….
Tornado by Betsy Byars
Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
Molly’s Pilgrims by Barbara Cohen
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Boxcar Children by Gertrude Warner
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder