Battle of the Books

This past school year, Briggor earned his way onto the
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS team representing Buena Vista Elementary School.

The students have to read a certain amount of books from a predetermined book list.

Briggor had to reach 4 benchmarks throughout the school year to keep his

standing on the team.

To make the official team, Briggor had to read 20 books and get a 80% or better

on the reading tests.

America's Battle of the Books is a reading incentive program for students in 3rd thru 12th grades. Students read books and come together usually in groups to demonstrate their abilities and to test their knowledge of the books they have read. The student competitions are usually similar to the TV series Family Feud or Whiz Kids styles of competitions. 

This year I was asked to be a chaperone to the actual battle day which took place in May.

I drove this crazy bunch of kids to the event.

This was our team - each one of these kids read 20 or more books this past school year.

It was a privilege and an honor to be apart of this squad.

This is just one page of the teams that were preparing for battle!!

What Is The "Battle?"

A typical "Battle" is a full day tournament or game, like College Bowl or Family Feud, in which students' teams earn points by answering questions about the books on the book lists. A typical competition day begins with a meeting in the cafeteria, a morning snack and directions for the day. Then they are assigned to a team, given a mascot or name, and sent to their first round of the "Battle." They play several rounds, each against a different team. At the end of the morning, points are totaled and the two teams with the most points are invited to a "Grand Battle" after lunch, with the other teams as their audience. These two teams may be given the opportunity to participate in the regional "Battle" in April and also the statewide "Battle" usually held in May or June, if county and local participants in your area have organized state battles.

I was asked to be a "reader" for this event.  

When the teams came into my room to battle, I was the reader of the questions regarding the books they read.   Here is a list of 24 questions for one of the battles.

The kids and I had a great time and we can't wait until next year!!!

For more information, here is the website:

America's Battle of the Books

Yankees - End of Season Party

Briggor's Yankees team had a tough spring season.  They finished in

last place.  But, what I love about this age, they were still smiling at the

end of the season.  That's all that mattered, is that they had fun.

The team celebrated with a pizza party and were given trophies.

Briggor and Coach Ray

Megan's Senior Prom

Megan's last and final hoorah was her Senior Prom!!

The event took place at the beginning of May.

Here are a few of the pictures before she ran off to enjoy herself.......

Photos were courtesy of my beautiful friend and photographer,

Connie Thompson.  Follow her on Instagram at

ConnieThomsponPhotography

Vatican

The Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley was holding a special event -

 Vatican Splendors: A Journey Through Faith and Art.

I spent the day with some of my favorite people:  my mom, sister, Tink  and

brother in law, Jim.  We spent the afternoon walking, talking, reading, sharing stories.

Mostly the stories were from my mom who actually visited the Vatican with my

dad years ago.  She had some wonderful stories to share with all of us.

If you get the chance to see this exhibit it is well worth it.  So much art and history mixed in with religion.   It's an amazing experience to see the beauty in it all.

From the website: " This 10,000 square foot exhibition, comprising one of the largest Vatican collections ever to tour the United States, includes an extraordinary collection of historical and religious objects, some of which date to the first century, as well as works of art by Michelangelo, Bernini, Guercino and others."

These pictures are just a few that Jim took throughout the exhibit.  The pictures don't compare to seeing them up close.  The grandeur of all the pieces is stunning!

Another 18 year old!!!

On April 27th, Skyler "Bud" Mendenhall

turned 18!!!

Happy Birthday Bud!!!

Briggor's 5th grade Open House

This past week, Briggor's 5th grade class had their annual Open House.

Briggor's date for the evening was his Beema.

I hope you take your time to click on each of the following essays, thoughts and visions.  

Briggor did a lot of writing and expressing himself this year.

He has grown into such a wonderful young man with great dreams

of the future.

Below is Briggor's Vision of Summer:

Briggor's Visions of Summer

Briggor's 5th grade class read The Indian in the Cupboard

by Lynn Reid Banks.  The following essay is what Briggor envisioned in his cupboard:

Briggor is looking forward to 6th grade: 

The following is Briggor's short paragraph to his teacher, Mrs. Thomas,

about what she will remember about him.

The Best Part of Briggor:

These next three pages are the best.  Briggor wrote about where and what he will be doing in 20 years:

This boy is reaching for the stars!!!  I hope he catching every single one that

he chases after........

Briggor and his teacher, Mrs. Thomas.

He had the best school year because he had a wonderful teacher!