How Does It Work?

1. Team Up! 

• Create a group of 4 students. A 5th member is allowed but one member will rotate out of each battle. (Parents of group members are encouraged to reach out to each other to ensure that their child can make this commitment.) 

  • Choose a team name.

  • One parent from the group will be the Parent Mentor. Parents will be actively involved in procuring books, setting up times for students to meet outside of school, and transporting them to meeting locations. 

  • Each team member must be a Willamette Primary student.

    • 3rd graders may only be on a team with other 3rd graders, but may be from different classes.*

    • 4th + 5th graders may create teams that are a blend of the two grades or they can be in the same grade, and they may be from different classes.

  • If your child needs assistance in finding a team please contact Tym at OBOB@willamettefso.org or their teacher, and we will help them find a team.

  • 2-4 students compete in each battle. Any team with 5 members may rotate one member out of each battle. 

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2. Register

• Each student must fill out a permission slip.​

• Each team must complete a registration form and name a Parent Mentor.​

  • Digital forms may be emailed to Tym, OBOB@willamettefso.org

  • Paper copies are available in the Willamette Primary Library and can be turned into the librarian.​​​

3. Read + Practice

• Decide who will read each book.

  • Each third grader should read 2 to 4 books for their team.*

  • Each fourth and fifth grader should read 4 to 16 books for their team.

  • You can use this sample organizer to keep everyone updated on who is doing what. Parents may need to help with this step.

• Read and take notes on characters, setting, main plot points, etc. See resources below.

  • Students must know the title and author, so utilize the pronunciation guide. ​

• Students should meet weekly to discuss books, share notes and practice answering questions together. 

• Practice answering questions as a team. There will be one spokesperson per group. 

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4. Battles Begin

• In mid-January, teams will meet at the Willamette Primary Library on Thursdays, AFTER SCHOOL, to participate in battles with other teams. 

• The goal is to have fun and read good books. Student and parent behavior should reflect sportsmanship and respect. 

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*3rd Grade Note: 3rd graders at Willamette Primary are in their own division and read the books that are more geared to their reading and maturity levels. They only compete against each other and do not proceed to regionals.