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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2016)
7K\WJMZ-);<-:67:-/768):-6< By LORI A. McNEIL, M.B.A., M.Ed. Each new school year brings new ac vi es, new programs, new challenges, and new opportuni es for learning. Every year, students in third through twel h grades across the na on have the chance to par cipate in a program designed to increase literacy skills and a love for reading through goal se ng and interac ve compe ons with peers. America’s Ba le of the Books was created to off er learning and comprehension of specifi c books through social learning, interac- on through games, and mutual respect. Volunteer educators and librarians operate this organiza on, which is membership-based. Amer- ica’s Ba le of the Books has been in opera on for over 25 years and was pa erned a er an earlier reading compe on program, which has been used in schools for more than a century. Four diff erent membership op- ons give communi es opportuni- es to compete and par cipate in as small or large of a group as needed, and groups can register as a local school, county, region, dis- trict, or state. School libraries order the appropriate book list(s) needed and students read the books on the list and keep a journal of important informa on as they prepare for the compe on. Most “ba les” are organized much like sports teams, complete with team colors and a mascot! At the beginning of the daylong com- pe on students are divided into teams and as a team they choose their captain, team colors and Photo courtesy of OBOB Oregon Battle of the Books builds better readers The 2015 Battle of the Books winners in Oregon’s 3-5 division were from St. Paul Parish School in Eugene. Let us help you FALL in love with your smile! ORTHODONTIST Durk V. Irwin, D.M.D. P.C. BRACES FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS Initial Exam Free 1-800-962-7038 Se Habla Español H ERMISTON 1060 W. Elm Suite 135 • 541.567.2662 P ENDLETON 2237 SW Court Ave. • 541.276.7819 dirwin@irwinorthodontics.com mascot. Through the day, these teams will play against each other as they answer ques ons about the books they have read. The winning team at the end of the day is in- vited to par cipate in the statewide ba le, usually held in April or May. America’s Ba le of the Books has grown signifi cantly since the organiza on fi rst started. Accord- ing to their website, the program originated in a small rural school district in Belridge, California. As it grew beyond Kern County, it was renamed “America’s Ba le of the Books.” The program now exists in every state in the union and is pres- ently being used on every con nent but Antarc ca. The organiza on is working hard to off er the fi rst na- onal compe on some me in the next decade. In Oregon, Ba le of the Books (OBOB) is sponsored by the Oregon Associa on of Schools and Librar- ies. Regional compe ons take place all over the state with Region 6 (NE Oregon) held next March at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton. The state compe - on is held on the Salem campus of Chemeketa Community College. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed. If you’d like to get involved, visit oboblsta.pbworks.com for more details or contact the group by email at oboblsta@gmail.com. ________ Baker City resident Lori McNeil has been an educator for the past 18 years, teaching all grade levels. Her recent book, “Charlie’s First Day,” follows the fi rst day of kindergar- ten, as Charlie’s class begins learn- ing how to read.
