Ruffin Writers Training for Question Writers for CCSD Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl

Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Started in DeKalb County Started in DeKalb County Georgia Book Award chapter book nominees Georgia Book Award chapter book nominees Expanded to middle school using the Georgia Book Award chapter book nominees Expanded to middle school using the Georgia Book Award chapter book nominees Expanded to high school using Georgia Peach Teen nominees Expanded to high school using Georgia Peach Teen nominees

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

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

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

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

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

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

Always start questions In the book, … 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 based on facts? Is the question clearly stated? 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)? 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? Can the question be answered differently depending on the point in the story? Do not use Yes/No and Either/Or type of questions 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) 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) 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 … There may be a very interesting fact in the story … But it may be too hard to word a question clearly … But it may be too hard to word a question clearly … So just go on to something else! So just go on to something else! There are lots of possible questions! There are lots of possible questions!

In the following slides Read the question and answer Read the question and answer Determine if the question is Determine if the question is Good – acceptable for reading bowl Good – acceptable for reading bowl Bad – needs to be rewritten for clarity before being used for the 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 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? 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 p.27, black for her mother, silver for her father, and pure white for her sister Good!!! Good!!!

Good, Bad, or Ugly? In the book Notes From the Midnight Driver, what book did Alex bring Sol for Hanukkah? In the book Notes From the Midnight Driver, what book did Alex bring Sol for Hanukkah? p.92, Monk p.92, Monk Bad!!! Bad!!! The question should read what is the title of the book that Alex brought Sol for Hanukkah? 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? In the book Phineas L. MacGuire Erupts!, who are the authors? title page, Frances O'Roark Dowell and Preston McDaniels title page, Frances O'Roark Dowell and Preston McDaniels Ugly!!! Ugly!!! Frances O’Roark Dowell is the author and Preston McDaniels is the illustrator. Frances O’Roark Dowell is the author and Preston McDaniels is the illustrator.

Let’s write some questions! Go to Go to Under more choose Books Under more choose Books Search Books: Here Lies the Librarian Search Books: Here Lies the Librarian 1 st result – click on title 1 st result – click on title Use arrows above book cover to “turn” to page 1 Use arrows above book cover to “turn” to page 1 Read chapter 1 (p.1-11) Read chapter 1 (p.1-11) Write 2 questions. Write 2 questions.

Enter your 20 questions into the Question Database file

Practice entering into the spreadsheet/database Go to Hills/hrrb/ Go to Hills/hrrb/ Hills/hrrb/ Hills/hrrb/ Choose Question Writer Volunteers Choose Question Writer Volunteers Download the Excel spreadsheet (save to your directory) Download the Excel spreadsheet (save to your directory) Enter your 2 questions and save Enter your 2 questions and save

Time to choose books! “Pass the hat” “Pass the hat” Pick one at a time Pick one at a time One “hat” for GA Book Award Books One “hat” for GA Book Award Books Another “hat” for Peach Teen books Another “hat” for Peach Teen books

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

Tending to Grace has 176 pages! 176 ÷ 10 = 17.6 or 18 pages 176 ÷ 10 = 17.6 or 18 pages Sections: Sections: 1-18, 19-36, 37-54, 55-72, , , , , You will write 2 questions for each section of your book!

your question database file (Peach Teen and chapter book) to Kate Lyons at Please complete your questions for all 4 books by June 1 st !

Now it’s your turn - It is highly recommended that you read the entire book before writing questions 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 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! So go ahead and read your book … ENJOY! Then go back and write questions. Then go back and write questions.

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