Training for Question Writers for APSD Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl NAHS Ruffin Writers Training for Question Writers for APSD Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl

Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Started in DeKalb County http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/hrrb/georgia.html Georgia Book Award chapter book nominees http://www.coe.uga.edu/gcba/ Expanded to middle school using the Georgia Book Award chapter book nominees Expanded to high school using Georgia Peach Teen nominees http://glma-inc.org/peachaward.htm

Meet .. Helen Ruffin, retired media specialist Sky Haven Elementary, DeKalb County Dr. April Ruffin, relative of Helen Ruffin who frequently attends the HRRB

Competition Format 6 rounds 10 questions per round 5 members on each team 2 teams each round (rotate) Team members respond individually 10 points for each correct answer Cumulative Score for all 6 rounds determines 1st and 2nd place

Winners Everyone who participates is a winner! All teams receive a participation trophy!

Advancing to the Regional Bowl Top 2 scoring teams in each division receive first and second place trophies These teams are determined by cumulative scores for all 6 rounds

Room Volunteers Moderator: Console Judge Score Keeper Time Keeper Reads rules each round Reads questions Determines if answer is correct Makes sure rules are followed Console Judge Operates the lockout device Recognizes student who buzzes in first May assist moderator in determining if answer is correct Score Keeper Keeps score on board Completes score sheet Time Keeper Uses a watch with a second hand to track 10 second time limits Task may be assigned to score keeper or console judge

Time to choose books! Some of you have already been reading the books. Please fill out the Google Spreadsheet to let the team know what you have read: http://tinyurl.com/Bks-rd-HRRB Once two or more people have read the same book and questions have been written, we can start quizzing each other.

As you write questions remember … The competition should be fun The room volunteers have not read the books All possible versions of an answer should be given

Always start questions In the book <book title>, … For example: In the book Elsewhere, what are Observation Decks?

Indicating answers …. p. #, answer For example: p.64, places where you can see all the way to Earth

Things to think about … Is the question based on facts? Is the question clearly stated? Does the answer have too many parts (beyond 3 parts is too many, you could ask for 3 out of 7 from a list)? Can the question be answered differently depending on the point in the story? Do not use Yes/No and Either/Or type of questions

Things to think about … Is a full name required or will just the first or last name suffice? (Liz Hall or just Liz) Moderators and other volunteers have not necessarily read the book so list all acceptable answers (i.e. Mein Kampf or My Life or My Struggle)

Things to think about … There may be a very interesting fact in the story … But it may be too hard to word a question clearly … So just go on to something else! There are lots of possible questions!

In the following slides Read the question and answer Determine if the question is Good – acceptable for reading bowl Bad – needs to be rewritten for clarity before being used for the reading bowl Ugly – wrong facts; correct facts and rewrite or throw out and try another question

Good, Bad, or Ugly? In the book Green Angel, what are the three colors of stones and what did each represent? p.27, black for her mother, silver for her father, and pure white for her sister Good!!!

Good, Bad, or Ugly? In the book Notes From the Midnight Driver, what book did Alex bring Sol for Hanukkah? p.92, Monk Bad!!! The question should read what is the title of the book that Alex brought Sol for Hanukkah?

Good, Bad, or Ugly? In the book Phineas L. MacGuire Erupts!, who are the authors? title page, Frances O'Roark Dowell and Preston McDaniels Ugly!!! Frances O’Roark Dowell is the author and Preston McDaniels is the illustrator.

Practice writing and entering into the spreadsheet/database Go to http://tinyurl.com/QA4HRRB Choose the tab along the bottom for the book for which you are writing questions. Type in your two questions following the proper format. PROOFREAD! Others will see this, and we want it to represent us well.

Questions from the whole book! The 10 questions for each book need to cover the entire book, beginning to end Total Pages ÷10 = section Then make 1 question from each section of the book

Tending to Grace has 176 pages! 176 ÷ 10 = 17.6 or 18 pages Sections: 1-18, 19-36, 37-54, 55-72, 73-90 91-108, 109-126, 127-144, 145-162,163-176 You will write 2 questions for each section of your book!

Now it’s your turn - It is highly recommended that you read the entire book before writing questions This will alert you to possible questions that could be answered differently at different points in the story So go ahead and read your book … ENJOY! Then go back and write questions.

Final Words … The Reading Bowl should be fun! The Reading Bowl cannot happen without your help! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!