2024-25 Battle of the Books Finals

27 February | 4:00

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Library Media Services

WHITNEY OAKLEY, ED.D.  | SUPERINTENDENT 

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#JoyfulLibraries

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

We continue to be driven by our mission, vision, and values.

VISION

Transforming learning and life outcomes for all students.

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MISSION

Guilford County students will graduate as responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or in the career of their choice.

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VALUES

Diversity | Empathy | Integrity Innovation | Equity

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Agenda

• Finals Schedule
• Finals Location
• Rules
• Structure
• Challenges
• Q&A

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Schedule

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Location and Parking

UNCG Education Building

• 1300 Spring Garden St

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Personal vehicles park in the Oakland Parking Deck.

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Teams arriving in buses should be dropped off in front of the Education Building.

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Parents and Guests

Parents may attend the event.

• Please make parents aware that seating priority goes to students and coaches.
• Guests may need to stand if the room fills up.
• Parents and guests will need to pay for parking.
• Per BOB rules, young children under school-age may not attend the event.

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Rules

Coaches should

• READ THE MANUAL
• Know the rules for in-person competition
• Know the rules for challenges
• Prepare students for in-person competition

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Teams in Finals

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Structure

Travel to site

• Schools are responsible for transportation arrangements.

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6 team members participate in rounds.

• If schools have two rounds back-to-back, the same 6 students will compete in those two rounds.

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12 questions per round.

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Structure

Students speaking must have name tents facing up on their turn.

• Name tents must be face down when students are not speaking.
• Teams should practice this!

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Name tents will be provided on competition day.

• Names will be printed for students listed on the submitted roster.
• Rosters may not be changed at this point.

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Teams will be provided school name posters.

• Teams will be responsible for placing the poster behind their table at the beginning of each round.

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Structure

Speakers will change with each question.

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All students will have an opportunity to answer a question.

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Structure

Challenges will be allowed.

• Teams may not challenge more than one question per round.
• Teams may not challenge more than two questions total for the entire competition.

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Timing:

• 20 seconds for questions
• 10 seconds for rebounds

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Structure

Round rotations will be shared before the competition. Schools can schedule breaks based on their rounds.

• Teams can bring snacks/drinks but they cannot be eaten/open in the competition room.

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Campus dining will not be provided.

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Parents may attend as guests but may not sit with teams. No young children are allowed to attend, per state BOB rules.

• Due to space constraints we request that guests be limited to 2 per student.

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Challenges

Challenges (to questions, answers, procedures, or time) will be handled in the following manner:

• A team member or coach will raise his/her hand and call out "TIME” immediately following the action to be challenged and before the question is redirected or the next question is asked. Only team members and designated coaches will be allowed to challenge.
• Coaches can only challenge time, scoring, or rotation. Question content may not be challenged by coaches.
• Participating team members may challenge procedural issues and content of the question directed to their team.
• Challenges should not be based solely on pronunciation of title or author.
• The coordinator will quietly confer with the team and report the concern directly to the judges, using the appropriate challenge form. (See Appendix F).

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Challenges

• If a team challenges the correct answer that has been provided, the team will be given 3 minutes to locate verification. Timing should begin when the team is given the book and the judge says, “BEGIN TIME”.
• If verification is found, the points will be awarded.
• If verification cannot be found in the allotted 3 minutes, the question will be redirected to the opposing team and play will resume.
• During the verification process, the challenging team may confer. There should be no talking, conferring, or appearance of conferring by the opposing team.
• Once the judges have reached their decision, the coordinator will relay the form to the moderator who will then announce the challenge and decision to the audience, and the battle will resume.
• The judges’ decision is final.

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Next Steps

Plan transportation and let LMS know if you will need bus parking or will be parking in the parking deck.

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Practice in-person competition format with teams.

• Video demonstration (includes challenge procedure)

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Standardize how your team is pronouncing titles and names.

• There were mispronunciations in prelims that were allowed. Those will not be accepted in Finals.

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Questions

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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2024-25 Battle of the Books Overview

13 January | 3:00

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Library Media Services

WHITNEY OAKLEY, ED.D.  | SUPERINTENDENT 

​

#JoyfulLibraries

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

We continue to be driven by our mission, vision, and values.

VISION

Transforming learning and life outcomes for all students.

​

MISSION

Guilford County students will graduate as responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or in the career of their choice.

​

VALUES

Diversity | Empathy | Integrity Innovation | Equity

​

What is Battle of the Books?

Battle of the Books began as a program for middle school students. The program has expanded to include the elementary and high school levels. Students at participating schools read books from a list established by the state Battle of the Books committees and then compete in quiz-bowl-style tournaments to test their knowledge of these books.

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Agenda

• GCS Competition Schedule
• Volunteer Sign Up
• GCS Virtual Competition Structure and Preparation
• BOB Coach Responsibilities
• GCS BOB Resources
• GCS BOB Due Dates
• Q&A

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Competition Schedule

Sign Up

To help the competition run smoothly, it is expected that at least one person from each participating school will volunteer to help.

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BOB Volunteer Sign up

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As of right now, there are not enough volunteers to cover timekeeping - coaches should plan to keep time on site.

Virtual Competition Structure

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Virtual Competition Structure

• Students in one virtual room for competition.
• Teams join rounds on one computer.
• Mic and camera off when not competing.
• All team members participate in rounds.
• One designated speaker per round.
• 8 questions per round.

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Virtual Competition Structure

• Coaches will serve as site judges.
• On site Timekeeper:
• 20 seconds for questions.
• 10 seconds for rebounds.
• The scorekeeper will confirm the score at the end of each round.
• Coaches will give a VERBAL confirmation that they agree with the score.
• Any concerns about how rounds proceeded need to be addressed before confirming scores.

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Rule Clarification

• Alternates - An alternate can be used on virtual competition day if a team member is unable to compete. Only 12 students can be present in the room for the competition.
• If teams make it to finals, the 12 who competed virtually must compete and no changes can be made to the roster.
• Alternates may not attend the finals competition.
• Books with two authors - names can be spoken in any order, but must be stated as they appear on the list
• Books can be repeated during a round - it was never a written rule that books could not be repeated and will now not necessarily be a practice

Handling Repeats

• The timer will continue running if a student requests to have a question repeated.
• The timer will be paused/restarted if a coach requests to have a question repeated.
• Coaches should only request to have questions repeated if there are temporary technical difficulties that make the moderator hard to hear.
• Coach repeats need to be made as soon as the moderator has read the question.

Virtual Competition Set Up

• All 12 team members on screen as much as possible.

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• Simple is best - laptop with mic and camera on the table
• Test setup before competition day!

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• External speakers delay the sound and cause feedback/echoes
• This is an issue when connecting to and routing the sound through a projector.

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• Turn off noise suppression in Teams

Virtual Competition Reminders

• All 12 team members compete in rounds
• Only 1 speaker per round
• Students should not have any items in hands or on tables in front of them (includes food, paper/pencils)
• No BOB books should be out at any point during the competition
• Keep set up simple - please do not use a projector to relay the sound.
• Turn off noise suppression in Teams
• Coaches or on-site volunteer keep time
• Sign up to help with preliminaries!

Coach Responsibilities

• READ THE MANUAL
• Join NCSLMA (primary coach named on the commitment form and who will be present at the competition)
• Use the GCS BOB Google Site and NCSLMA BOB website to find resources
• Communicate with school admin about requirements and needs
• Actively prepare your team
• Attend all district BOB meetings
• Complete all requirements for GCS and NCSLMA on time
• Help with virtual competition on a day you do not compete

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Coach Support

• BOB Google Site
• MyBOBTeam Subscription
• Coach buddies grouped by Zones
• It is up to coaches to connect with each other
• Coach Q&A in meetings

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Important Dates

All forms and submission links are on the BOB Google Site.

Nothing will be accepted via email.

February 3 : Team Rosters due

February 10 : Student Commitment Forms due to primary coach

February 19-26 : Traditional BOB Virtual Preliminary Competitions

March 14 : Traditional BOB Finals Competition

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Questions

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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• Selecting the final team members
• Tips for practicing
• Keeping students motivated
• Tech tips for competition day

November Meeting Info On Next Slides

Agenda

• Review of Competing Schools Status
• Overview of GCS Competition Schedule
• BOB Coach Responsibilities
• GCS BOB Resources
• GCS BOB Due Dates
• Grade Level Breakout Groups

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Competing Schools Status

Elementary Schools

Alamance Elementary

Bessemer Elementary School

Bluford ES

Brightwood Elementary School

Brooks Global Studies Elementary

Claxton Elementary

Erwin Montessori

Fairview Elementary

Florence Elementary

Gibsonville

Irving Park ES

Jamestown Elementary

Jefferson Elementary

Jesse Wharton Elementary

Jones Elementary

Joyner Elementary School

Kirkman Park

Lindley

Madison Elementary School

Millis Road Elementary

Monticello Brown Summit

Northern Elementary

Northwood Elementary

Oak Ridge Elementary

Oak View Elementary

Pearce

Peck Expeditionary School

Pilot Elementary

Rankin Elementary

Sedalia Elementary

Southern Elementary

Southwest Elementary School

Summerfield Elementary

The Academy At Lincoln

Triangle Lake Montessori

Union Hill Elementary

Vandalia Elementary

Washington Elementary

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Middle Schools

Allen Jay Prep

Allen Middle

Brown Summit Middle School

Eastern Middle

Jackson Middle School

Jamestown Middle School

Kernodle Middle School

Kiser

Mendenhall Middle School

Northeast Middle

Northern Middle

Northwest Middle School

Penn-Griffin

Southeast Guilford Middle School

Southern Guilford Middle School

Southwest Guilford Middle

The Academy At Lincoln

High Schools

Andrews High School

Dudley High

Grimsley

Northern Guilford High School

Northwest High

Southern Guilford High

Southwest High

The Early College at Guilford

The Middle College at UNCG

Weaver Academy

**NCSLMA reports compliance received as of 12/2

NCSLMA Membership and Compliance

From NCSLMA BOB Competition Timeline

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2025 NCSLMA Membership is due by December 1

• Join NCSLMA if not a member
• Current members should be able to renew at any time.
• Must be a current member in February to compete.
• Membership questions should be directed to Brene Duggins, breneduggins@ncslma.org

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Compliance Form is due by December 1

• Compliance form is an “event” on the NCSLMA website that opened October 1 and remain open until December 1.
• Video Walkthrough
• Late submissions accepted from Dec. 2-15 with a $25 late fee.
• Compliance Form questions should be directed to Rachel McConoughey, mcconor@gcsnc.com

Competition Schedule

Sign Up

To help the competition run smoothly, it is expected that at least one person from each participating school will volunteer to help.

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BOB Volunteer Sign up

Competition Structure

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

​

Virtual Competition Structure

• Students in one virtual room for competition.
• Teams join rounds on one computer.
• All team members participate in rounds.
• One designated speaker per round.
• 8 questions per round.
• Coaches will serve as site judges.
• Timekeeper responsibilities to be determined.
• Official timing from BOB manual:
• 20 seconds for questions.
• 10 seconds for rebounds.

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

​

Coach Responsibilities

• READ THE MANUAL
• Join NCSLMA (primary coach named on the commitment form and who will be present at the competition)
• Use the GCS BOB Google Site and NCSLMA BOB website to find resources
• Communicate with school admin about requirements and needs
• Actively prepare your team
• Attend all district BOB meetings
• Complete all requirements for GCS and NCSLMA on time
• Help with virtual competition on a day you do not compete

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

​

Coach Support

• BOB Google Site
• MyBOBTeam Subscription
• All schools should have received accounts
• Coach buddies grouped by Zones
• It is up to coaches to connect with each other
• Coach Q&A in meetings

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Important Dates

All forms and submission links are on the BOB Google Site.

Nothing will be accepted via email.

December 1 : NCSLMA Membership and Compliance Forms due

January 13 : BOB Check In

February 3 : Team Rosters due

February 10 : Student Commitment Forms due to primary coach

February 19-26 : Traditional BOB Virtual Preliminary Competitions

March 14 : Traditional BOB Finals Competition

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

​

Questions

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Breakout Rooms

Purpose - less experienced coaches have time to ask questions and get advice from more experienced coaches.

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Questions

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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September Meeting Info On Next Slides

2024 Winners!

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Agenda

• Overview of GCS Competition Structure
• BOB Coach Responsibilities
• GCS BOB Resources
• GCS BOB Due Dates
• Grade Level Breakout Groups
• STEM BOB for ES

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https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Competition Structure

Virtual preliminary competitions in Teams, February 19-26.

In-person Finals at UNCG, March 14.

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

​

Competition Structure

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

​

Virtual Competition Structure

• Students in one virtual room for competition.
• Teams join rounds on one computer.
• All team members participate in rounds.
• One designated speaker per round.
• 8 questions per round.
• Coaches will serve as site judges.
• Timekeeper responsibilities to be determined.
• Official timing from BOB manual:
• 20 seconds for questions.
• 10 seconds for rebounds.

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

​

Coach Responsibilities

• READ THE MANUAL
• Join NCSLMA (primary coach named on the commitment form and who will be present at the competition)
• Use the GCS BOB Google Site and NCSLMA BOB website to find resources
• Communicate with school admin about requirements and needs
• Actively prepare your team
• Attend all district BOB meetings
• Complete all requirements for GCS and NCSLMA on time
• Help with virtual competition on a day you do not compete

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

​

Coach Support

• BOB Google Site
• MyBOBTeam Subscription
• Info sent to schools in late September or early October
• Coach buddies grouped by Zones
• It is up to coaches to connect with each other
• Coach Q&A in meetings

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

​

Important Dates

All forms and submission links are on the BOB Google Site. Nothing will be accepted via email.

September 20 : School Commitment Forms due

November 18 : BOB Check In

November 29 : NCSLMA Renewal and Compliance Forms due

January 13 : BOB Check In

February 3 : Traditional and STEM BOB Rosters due

February 10 : Student Commitment Forms due to primary coach

February 19-26 : Traditional BOB Virtual Preliminary Competitions

March 14 : Traditional BOB Finals Competition

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Questions

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Breakout Rooms

Purpose - less experienced coaches have time to ask questions and get advice from more experienced coaches.

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Choose the room for your grade level:

• Elementary = Room 1
• Middle/High = Room 2

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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STEM BOB

Elementary STEM BOB will consist of monthly STEM challenges and an in-person final exhibition and challenge. Monthly support meetings are scheduled to help coaches feel comfortable with leading students through the challenges.

Monthly challenges will be shared with teams and will help students prepare for the final challenge. The final challenge will utilize materials and skills that have been used throughout the previous challenges but the details will not be shared ahead of time. The final challenge will consist of two parts, the first part completed prior to the final event and the second part completed on site.

Details on the GCS BOB Google Site

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Questions

https://bit.ly/GCSbob24

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Contact Information

Nancy Cravey

Lead Teacher

Library Media Services

craveyn@gcsnc.com

Office: 336-370-2357

Cell: 336-894-7380

Natalie Strange

Director

Library Media Services

strangn@gcsnc.com

Office: 336-370-2355

Cell: 336-382-3035

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