Published On: May 28th, 2015By

AISD Announces the Top Winners of the 2015 ‘Name That Book’ Reading Contest

The districtwide competition exposes students to literature and motivates them to read.
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Dunn E.S. and Magrill E.S. teams tied for first place in the K-2 grade division.

 

Students at elementary and intermediate schools have been reading a lot this spring. They have been reading classic literature to contemporary award-winning books. The students then put their book knowledge to the test as they competed in Aldine ISD’s “Name That Book” reading competition.

The students’ job is to read 30 books during the school year for the upcoming games. The contest challenges kids to read the books and compete against other schools. They must test their knowledge of those books.

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The Magrill Elementary School K-2 team wins first place in the semi-final rounds.

Students prepared for the contest by playing games to recognize sections and quotes from the selected books. The teams also discussed the genres of books, the personalities of the characters, and much more.

They also worked with a coach and learned how to work together as a team. The students then competed in teams to name the book based on a quote or statement and answer questions about the books.

The main goal of the annual contest is to enhance students’ experiences with books. This fun event exposes students to wonderful literature. It also helps improve their reading and comprehension skills.

During May, teams compete in elimination rounds until each campus has determined their top teams. Then the fun really begins. The top teams from each school battle it out to advance to the final rounds to determine who can most successfully “Name That Book.” Cindy Buchanan hopes this program helps turn students into avid readers. Buchanan (pictured at the very top with students) serves as program director of library services.

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The winning team from Johnson Elementary School in the 3rd-4th Grade Level.

This is a fun program to get students to read,” said Buchanan. “It is not important if a student’s team advances far in the competition. What is important is that he or she will have read a list of great titles. Schools also have an entire grade level of students who are enjoying the same books. This creates wonderful opportunities to talk about books. Just maybe students will find the books that get through to them. The goal is to create a reading culture. And in the process students become avid readers.

This year, 24 schools participated at the kindergarten through second grade vertical level. Twenty-five campuses competed in the third through fourth grade level. And nine of 11 intermediate schools took part in the competition.

According to Buchanan, this was a competitive year.

“The kindergarten through Grade 2 finals proved exciting,” Buchanan said. “It was a dead heat for top place. After 10 rounds, Magrill and Dunn remained tied for first.”

Good-Books-Quote-1Grades K-2 Division

1st Place (tie) — Magrill E.S. & Dunn E.S.
2nd Place (tie) — Calvert E.S. & Raymond Academy
3rd Place — Worsham Elementary School
4th Place — Carroll Academy
5th Place — Bussey Elementary School
6th Place — Harris Academy

Grades 3-4 Division

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A K-2 team from Raymond Academy.

1st Place — Johnson E.S.
2nd Place — Jones Elementary School
3rd Place — Oleson E.S.
4th Place (tie) — Bussey E.S. & Carmichael E.S.
5th Place (tie) — Carroll Academy, Dunn E.S. & Francis E.S.
6th Place — Ermel Elementary School

Intermediate School Division

1st Place — Escamilla Intermediate School
2nd Place — Houston Academy
3rd Place — Parker Intermediate School
4th Place (tie) — Hill Intermediate School & Rayford Intermediate School

Buchanan praises the reading competition.

Books-2’Name That Book’ widens the students’ reading interests,” Buchanan said. “Because of Name That Book, they have read books representing a variety of genres. There is something for everyone. Some of the books are thought provoking and challenging. As students grow, they need to be comfortable reading more difficult texts. The goal is to help them become fluent readers. Studies show that reading is key to academic success. That is why we want students to develop a love of reading. ”

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The winning team from Escamilla Intermediate School.

 

See below images from the semifinals of the Name That Book reading contest.

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A K-2 team from Calvert Elementary School poses during the semi-final contest.

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The K-2 team from Harris Academy poses for a picture.

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The K-2 team members from Thompson Elementary School show off their certificates.

About the Author: Leticia Fehling

Director of Internal Communications