Rocky View Schools (RVS) students are sharpening their pencils and diving into their reading lists as they prepare for the annual Battle of the Books competition, a high-energy literacy event that brings students together through their love of reading.
The fun begins April 11 with a virtual competition for elementary students across the division. Then on May 7, middle school teams will gather in-person at the RVS Education Centre in Airdrie for their chance to be crowned Battle of the Books champions.
“Battle of the Books is a great event that helps advance students’ literacy skills while having fun with their reading,” said Greg Luterbach, RVS Superintendent of Schools. “This annual event builds a culture of reading both within our schools and division-wide, as students connect with other readers across our many communities.”
This year marks the fifth elementary battle and the eighth for middle school students. A total of 12 elementary teams and 10 middle school teams from communities including Cochrane, Airdrie, Chestermere, Springbank and rural Rocky View County are participating.
Teams of up to six students, drawn from Grades 3 to 5 in elementary and Grades 5 to 8 in middle school, are reading a diverse mix of books across genres and formats. From graphic novels to audiobooks, students are encouraged to explore stories outside their usual comfort zones.
“One of the great things about Battle of the Books is that it provides students an opportunity to participate in a team-based activity that is not a sport,” said Kerry Kindermann, teacher and Chair of the Battle of the Books Committee. “By showing students that reading can be associated with fun, Battle of the Books also helps create life-long readers who find joy in reading.”
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The competitions are designed to be both challenging and fun. Elementary students will compete virtually in a fast-paced trivia format that rewards correct and quick answers. Middle school students will take part in head-to-head battles, answering in-depth questions to earn points for their teams. The top-performing teams will not only take home bragging rights, they’ll also win funding for new books and a championship banner for their school.
Battle of the Books continues to grow in popularity each year, helping spark a passion for reading in students across the division.''
