NAVIGATION

READING OLYMPICS

Advisor:

Robb Walters, Librarian: r_walters@conradweiser.org

Purpose:

Reading Olympics is a countywide reading event that encourages students to increase the quality and quantity of books they read for enjoyment. The Reading Olympics Program is based upon the belief that good reading habits form the foundation for a productive and successful life. This program is currently active in schools in Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, and Berks counties.

Since 1993, the Reading Olympics has been motivating students to read and discuss books. The purpose of this program is to encourage children to read more than they currently do, to read a greater variety of books, and to enjoy the excitement of reading and talking about books. The team format encourages students to share the challenge of reading the selection of books with their friends.

The Reading Olympics competition is the culmination of the program that has teams of students reading books from a prepared list for several months prior to the final event. Each team consists of approximately 12 students who agree to read from groups of 45 books appropriate for their age and reading level. The book lists are prepared the previous year by interested teachers and librarians.

Representation:

Reading Olympics is open to students in grades 6-8.Teams consist of approximately 12 students, with each school being permitted to send multiple teams to the competition. An interest meeting is held at the beginning of each school year to provide information to interested students.

Throughout the course of the school year, members are expected to regularly attend team meetings to check reading progress, discuss the books they are reading, and obtain updates and information. Students are encouraged to read as many books as possible from a pre-selected list of approximately 45 books and complete forms with information about the books. Members attend a county-wide competition in the spring during which they compete against other area middle schools in three rounds of questioning. Ribbons and prizes are awarded.

Meeting Times:

Reading Olympics meets during Weiser Time in the library. The cycle day and frequency varies depending upon other commitments (Band, Chorus, etc) of the group members.