Strategies for Success

Six Strategies for Successful Battlers

1. Set practice schedule
   Set up a schedule for your team meetings and share it with readers and their parents. Include the times and dates of all team events. Ask parents to confirm via email or in person that they received the team meeting schedule and overall schedule for Battle of the Books.
2. Divide up the books
   You may want to divide up the books – making each reader responsible for certain books. But still encourage all readers to read as many books as possible. Use a Team Reading Chart or similar tool to track your progress on the books read and discussed.
3. Make notes
   Keep notes, make a poster board, and/or draw sketches for easy reference about the main characters, the important events, the settings, etc. for each title.
4. Practice
   Have readers write practice questions about the books they have read, then quiz each other. Divide your team and have mock battles. Give each member a chance to participate in these mock battles. Get your team into the habit of giving the title and the author of each book.
5. Review the Rules
   Before Tournament Day, review the rules with your team.
6. Show Good Sportsmanship
   Emphasize the fact that just participating is fun and worthwhile. It is important for your team members to learn to win and lose graciously and be a part of a positive experience for everyone.