Battle of the Books

Written by
Administrator
Published
22 February 2017

The cycle begins in the summer when the librarian orders all of the Battle Books for the different grade levels – our tribal library can afford to do so through the funding we receive from the State of Alaska public library assistance and from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences. Our students are encouraged to read throughout the summer, as part of the reading club.

Most students have read their books before school officially starts. Then, once the excitement of “Back to School” has settled, each team assembles, and then “vies” for their coach of choice. Coaches arrive at school each Friday afternoon to read, quiz, and prep their team. This year, we were notified that battles were moved up nearly a month from their scheduled time. That meant, time for cram study!

On January 30, our first battler, a lone Kindergartner with a team name of “Yaqulek” (duck) versus Newhalen and Kokhanok. Erika Salmon-Anelon had to conquer her fears of speaking over video teleconference to win the LPSD championship by 1 question.

2nd Grade – Avery Nelson and Jem Gooden, a.k.a. “The Awesome Possum Foxes”, coached by Tanya Salmon, were up next. A community crowd gathered, and were amused with the teamwork and nervously cute body language. In between questions, Jem would hop on the bookshelf and peer out the window to see if their mascot, the fox, was watching. They battled to win a first round. They battled to win a second round. They entered a third round of battles! They took turns answering questions. Sometimes they answered title and author in unison. But by the final question in the third round, after grueling HOURS of battling, they simply wanted to be done. They struggled to get the very last answer out, making them the undefeated district champions, with a perfect score.

Next it was 3rd/4th grade – Shealayla Nelson, Jonathan Alvarez, and Dannika Wassillie, coached by Christina Salmon-Bringhurst. Following a swarm of first placers, the team felt the heat to perform. Round 1, they won. Round 2 they won – making another set of LPSD champions.

5th/6th grade – “Team Awesomeness” –comprised of Aiden Wassillie, Ella and Walt Gooden, and Keilan Wassillie, alternate, were coached by Miss Stacey Edmonson. She had a bag of mini-M&Ms to dole out after each correct answer. They were the highest scorers of Round 1, which led them to Round 2, and they also walked away with first place.

Our highschoolers – Dolly Ann Zharoff and Simeon Zackar did not have a coach, but these self-directed battlers displayed excellent team work and placed second in the district. Moderator/teacher Tate Gooden had a hidden surprise, delicatessen caribou jerky to entice them across the finish line.

Last but not least, Kiara Nelson, coached by Ida Nelson, battled on February 10. All by herself, she beat Chignik Lake and Chignik Bay and will also be advancing to State of Alaska competitions. As she told her mom: “I came, I read, I battled. And I won!” We are incredibly proud of the students, teachers, and parents! For those going on to the State competition, Read – Study – Prepare!

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Igiugig Tribal Village Council

PO Box 4008
Igiugig, AK 99613


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