San Andreas , CA…A total of 81 students, 4th through 8th grade from nine Calaveras County schools competed on Wednesday, Jan. 17th, at the 5th Annual Battle of the Books. This exciting student event, offered by the Calaveras County Office of Education (CCOE), was expanded this year to include 4th and 5th grades. The event was held in person at the Calaveras River Academy/Mountain Oaks gymnasium in San Andreas.

4th and 5th grade teams represented six schools.  Elementary students collectively read 12 books prior to the event and competed by recalling their knowledge of the books.

6th, 7th, and 8th graders collectively read 19 books prior to the event and hailed from six schools across the county. Each team member assisted their teams with identifying book content during the competitions.

Students needed to recite book titles and authors to earn points. With two different competitions, the Relay Challenge and the Family Feud, student teams had many opportunities to accumulate points.  A large spectator crowd cheered the students on and supported them with applause and bravos.

The Relay Challenge started the event off for the 6th/7th/8th grade teams. Students, teachers/coaches and parents waited for the “ready-set-go” with heightened excitement. Teams sent one member at a time running to the other end of the gym where an assigned team judge was waiting with a question. Each team member had the option to answer the question or run back to consult with their teammates. After 10 minutes, the Relay Challenge ended, points were tallied, and the winning 6th 7th/8th grade team was the “Enchanted Readers” from Avery Middle School. The 4th/5th grade teams competed next in their Relay Challenge and the winning 4th/5th grade team was the “Michelson Enchanted” from Albert Michelson Elementary.

Teams moved on to the second competition, Family Feud. During this event, two teams at a time compete against each other, alternating between questions, and point values are assigned for the correct answer of book titles and authors. Recalling content enabled students to score points throughout the competition. The “Enchanted Readers,” from Avery Middle School won the Family Feud competition for the 6th/7th/8th grade and the “Gopher Super Stars” from Mokelumne Hill Elementary won the 4th/5th grade Family Feud.

The team with the highest combined score for both competitions took home a trophy to be displayed at their school. The 4th/5th grade team winning the overall trophy was “Gopher Super Stars” from Mokelumne Hill Elementary. The trophy winners for 6th/7th/8th grade teams were the “Enchanted Readers” from Avery Middle School.

Students impressed with their recall skills at the event. The students participating came from all over the County. 4th/5th grade teams came from: Albert Michelson Elementary, Copperopolis Elementary, Hazel Fischer Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary, Mokelumne Elementary, and Mountain Oaks School.

Avery Middle School, Copperopolis Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary, Mountain Oaks School, Sierra Hills Education Center, and Toyon Middle School all sent 6th/7th/7th grade teams to the event.

Student events are successful due to the support of sponsors, volunteers, teachers/coaches, and parents. Sponsors for this event included the Calaveras Community Foundation, Calaveras County Office of Education, Adventist Health Sonora, Mark Twain Medical Center, Angels-Murphys Rotary Club, Bank of Stockton, Middletons, and Save Mart.

For more information on the event, and to view a full list of winning teams and photos, please visit www.ccoe.k12.ca.us/battleofthebooks/

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