|
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
A
team of fourth-graders from Peterson Elementary School captured top-honors last
week in the fourth grade division of the statewide Battle of the Books
competition, the first team from Kodiak to do so in the contest's more than 20-year
history. The Peterson team beat out 38 other schools from across Alaska to win the title.
KMXT's Erik Wander has more.
Under the
competition's rules, lists of books are chosen for different grade levels from
third grade through high school. Students read the books and then compete in
teams of at least three members to correctly answer questions based on the
books in a "quiz show" format online. Chris Hicks, a fourth grade
teacher at Peterson, is the Battle
of the Books fourth grade team coach. His team, comprised of Isabelle Rice,
Hayden Sholz, Leah Hicks and Alex Jordan, came out on top this year. Hicks said
the team had to win at the school and district levels before advancing to the
state competition. He explained the format of the competition.
-- (Hicks 1 55 sec. "The things that we can control ...
in which book?")
Hicks said the
team members are very excited about coming in first and that he and other
members of the Peterson faculty are extremely proud of them.
-- (Hicks 2 27 sec. "The important thing is how ... in
the fisheries area.")
Each
of the four team members had their own take on the competition, how they won
and what they learned from the experience. Leah said questions became more and
more challenging as the contest advanced into its latter rounds.
-- (Leah 1 10 sec. "It feels really good ... just kept
escalating.")
Alex was surprised at how
far the team went, a sentiment echoed by most of the team members. He also said
he learned a little something about reading comprehension in the process.
-- (Alex 1 12 sec. "Shockingly, we made it ... a lot
of information very well.")
Hayden said he is proud to
be a member of the first team from Kodiak ever to win the state competition, a
fact he didn't know until Hicks told the team.
-- (Alex 1 11 sec. "Mr. Hicks says it also ... Kodiak
to win the state.")
Isabelle said teamwork
played a major factor in how the Peterson team pulled off the victory.
-- (Alex 1 12 sec. "Teamwork is a big part ... and
also this kind of sport.")
Battle of the Books is a motivational reading
and comprehension program sponsored by the Alaska Association of School
Librarians. The goals of the program are to encourage and recognize students
who enjoy reading, broaden reading interest and increase reading comprehension
among students of all ages. Finishing after Kodiak in the final four were
schools from Ketchikan, Galena and Girdwood.
I'm Erik Wander.
###
|
