Here are some tips for Team Managers. Of course you want your team to do well, but more important than that is that they all have fun. Here are some guidelines and tips to help you help them do well and have fun.
- Make sure that each team member understands which books on the reading list he/she is expected to read.
- Meet with the team regularly to offer encouragement, check on reading progress, foster team cohesiveness and to help team members learn author’s names and facts from books.
- Act as communication link between the library and team members and parents with all information regarding the Battle of the Books. Please keep us informed of any problems or changes. You may email Kelly at rottmundk@einetwork.net
- Make sure your team demonstrates sportsmanlike behavior before and during the battle.
- Make sure your team members and their families understand the rules of the Battle and expectations the evening of the Battle.
- Possibly provide transportation for your team members.
- Make sure they arrive on time at Sewickley Academy's Hansen Library (6th, 7th & 8th grade battles: 6:45, High School Battle: 6:15.)
- During the Battle each Team Manager will act as scorekeeper for another team. You will be asked to:
- Ensure that the team you are monitoring stops writing at the end of the 20-second time limit(whether answer is complete or not.)
- Record the number of points earned for each question.
- Remain focused on the team you are monitoring. (Please remember that these teens also need your encouragement.)
- Build Team Spirit
- Help them come up with a descriptive Team Name.
- Decorate team t-shirts.
- Have your team wear the same color or item of clothing to the Battle.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
- Decide who will read each book. You will probably want more than one person to read each title.
- Decide how often you will meet to discuss the books.
- Hold “mock” battles or “Jeopardy” style games based on the books.
- Have kids make up some of their own practice questions to quiz each other during the meetings.
- Coaches may want to read all the books.
- Seek to understand the characters and the setting of the books. Then, if the children have to guess on an answer they may be correct.
- Encourage and Reward
- Give words of praise and encouragement.
- Serve snacks at the meetings.
- Play a game before your meetings.
- Have a pizza party or ice cream outing at the completion of the Battle.
- Keep it fun and make happy memories!
