MAKING MAGIC WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Judy Sima
248-644-3951
Judy@JudySima.com
www.JudySima.com
SIMA’S SURVIVAL GUIDE

Find Your Passion and Share It
o Book talks
o Storytelling
o Technology
o Bulletin Boards

Change Happens – Roll with the Punches
o (Embrace it?)
o Budget cuts, number of schools

Keep Kids First
o Spoil them
o Safe haven
o Prizes
o Feed them
o Accept them

Anything Worth Saying is Worth Repeating
o And publicizing – newspaper, Board of Education, parent group

Be a Book Pusher – Find Time to Read
o Book talks, programs
o Get teachers to read (teacher bookshelf)

A Happy Staff is a Cooperative Staff
o Breakfasts and lunches
o Feed them
o Make yourself indispensable

Network – Keep in Touch with Your Peers
o You’re the only one
o Join local, state, national organizations
o Libres – form a book review group with colleagues

Give Back – Get Involved
o Nominate deserving colleagues for awards
o Give workshops
o Write articles
Pencil Slogan Contest - Atlas Pen & Pencil Company (800-327-3232)
READING QUEST
Reading Quest is a reading incentive program designed to encourage 8 th graders to read and interact with staff members.
Students earn coupons for every book read. A pizza and prize party is held in March for students earning four coupons or
more. All coupons are placed in a drawing for prizes provided by area merchants, parent club, staff donations, and library
fine money.
Staff members are asked to a book sponsor by reading one or more young adult books. After completing a book, students
make an appointment to conference with the book’s sponsor. Teachers sign the Reading Quest coupon following the
discussion. Students return signed coupons to their teachers who in turn give them to the media specialist.
Double Coupons given for:
** Challenging books
Non-fiction American History @
American historical fiction
@
First student to turn in a coupon for any book
8th grade READING QUEST
Author
Almond
Alphin
Anderson
Bourland
Brancato
Brashares
Title
** Kit’s Wilderness
Ghost Soldier @
Fever 1793 @
Speak
Tunnel Vision
Crispin: the Cross of Lead
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle @
**The Fires of Merlin
**The Lost Years of Merlin
Hope Was Here
Rules of the Road
Squashed
Curse of the Blue Figurine
House with a Clock in its Walls
The Coverup
The Executioner
The Shakespeare Stealer
Tangerine
It’s Not the End of the World
Tiger Eyes
When Legends Die @
Uneasy Money
Second Summer of the Sisterhood
Dash
Keller
Felipovic
Frank
BIOGRAPHY
(BIO Harrison) **The Longitude Prize
(BIO K) The Story of My Life @
(BIO F) ** Zlata’s Diary
(BIO F) ** Diary of a Young Girl
Fried
Hornberger
Tassone
Exline, Posner
Gorrell
Lester
Nelson
Philbrick
HISTORY
(973.7) North Star to Freedom @
(326)
To Be a Slave
@
(940.54) Left for Dead @
(910.91) Revenge of the Whale @
MacKay, Hammond
deMesa
deMesa
Arrick
AVI
Barron
Bauer
Bellairs
Bennett
Balckwood
Bloor
Blume
Staff Member
Posner
Flett
Posner
Tassone, Posner
Rioux, Heythaler
Dimmer, Posner
Exline
Flett
Flett
Hamilton
St. Sauver
Gruel
Posner
Burke
Hamilton
Posner
Posner
Exline
Hunter
McClellan
Giuliani
BOOK CIRCLES
TITLE
AUTHOR
PAGE #’S READ
REACTION
Would I read?
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
6th and 7th grade Language Arts classes are divided into teams of five or six students. Students read as many books as they
can in the seven weeks prior to the Classroom Battle. Each team is responsible for reading the twelve books listed for their
grade level. At the end of six weeks classes will come to the Media Center to be quizzed on what they have read. This is a
team effort.

At the Classroom Level Battles students are seated according to teams. One or two questions are given for each book
on the list. As a team, students decide the best answer for the question. The team captain writes the answer along with
the author’s last name on a piece of paper and gives the paper to the media specialist. After answer sheets are
submitted, the correct answer is given. Scoring: 5 points for the correct answer. 1 point for the correct author’s name.
At the end of the class period, the points are totaled. Extra points earned by team members are added to each team’s
score.

Two highest scoring teams in each class participate in the Final Tournament and compete against winning teams. The
final tournament will take place in the Cafeteria. Top three scoring teams earn medals in final tournament. The first
place team wins a pizza party for their class, and team members’ names will be added to the Media Center plaque.

Teacher Responsibility: Create teams of 5-6 students in your Language Arts class. Each team needs a team name and
a team captain. Submit a list of teams and team members to the Media Center. Send Parent Letters explaining the
Battle home with students to be signed, returned and given to the team captain. A copy of the letter is attached. Provide
time in class for reading and making team posters.

Team Captain’s responsibility: Keep a list of books read by each team member. Make sure that each title has been
read by at least two team members. Collect “Clifford Coupons” and signed Parent Letters for extra points. Team
members should memorize authors’ last. Attend Captain’s meeting to review procedures and responsibilities. Submit
team poster to the Media Center.

Extra points: will be added to Classroom Battle score.
A. Parent letter - 1 extra point for each signed parent letter.
B. Book check - 1 point for each "Clifford" coupon. Students are to carry a Battle book with them at all times.
The media specialist will make surprise Book Checks in Core classrooms. Coupons will be given students
who have a Battle book.
C. Team poster - 10 extra points given for poster advertising team name and team members. Posters may be
turned in as soon as they are finished. Posters are due two weeks after Captain’s meeting. Judging will take
place the next week. Prizes (pencil, bookmark, sucker) are given to each team member for winning posters.
One or more team members must design the poster. 12 x 18 white drawing paper available in the Media
Center. Any materials may be used in the construction of the poster including: pencil, crayon, marker,
computer graphics, collage, sparkles, construction paper.
D. Overdue books – 5 points will be deducted for each overdue book at time of Classroom Battle.
7th Grade – Battle of the Books – 2004
1. Cooney
Flight #116 is down
2. Draper
Double Dutch
3. Haddix
Among the Hidden
4. Kehret
Cages
5. Lowry
A Summer to Die
6. Nixon
A Family Apart
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Roberts
View From the Cherry Tree
Serraillier
Escape From Warsaw
Spinelli
Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush?
Sleator
Interstellar Pig
Van Draanen Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
12. Wallace
Trapped in Death Cave
6th Grade Battle of the Books – 2004
Byars
The Pinballs
Coville
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon
Gilson
Hello, My Name is Scrambled Eggs
Hesse
Letters from Rifka
Korman No More Dead Dogs
Konigsburg From the Mixed-up Files of
Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Roberts
The Girl with the Silver Eyes
Ruckman
Night of the Twisters
Snyder
The Egypt Game
Spinelli
Crash
Wallace
A Dog Called Kitty
Wright
The Dollhouse Murders
7th grade BATTLE OF THE BOOKS – FINAL QUESTIONS 2004
1.
VanDraanen In what book does a clever 7th grader solve the mystery of a fortune teller’s stolen
money? SAMMY KEYES AND THE HOTEL THIEF
2. Serraillier
In what book do three children brave the Nazi’s and Russians to be reunited with their parents during
WWII?
ESCAPE FROM WARSAW
3. Cooney
In what book does a teenage girl find courage and direction in her life when a major disaster happens in
her own backyard? FLIGHT #116 IS DOWN
4. Nixon
(A Family Apart) Before Mike was caught pick pocketing, what did he and Danny do to earn money for their family?
THEY SHINED SHOES
5. Cooney
(Flight #116 is Down) In a disaster or major accident there is a period of time that the body can care for itself before
help is needed. What is that time period called?
THE GOLDEN HOUR
6. . Haddix
(Among the Hidden) Who did Jen’s father work for? POPULATION POLICE
BROWN BAG SEMINARS
Lunchtime seminars held once a month in the Media Center during student lunch periods. Students interested in attending signed up 2-3
days ahead of time and received a ticket. Ticket allow students to pick up lunch from the cafeteria and bring it through the halls to the
Media Center. Seminar limited to 75 per lunch hour. Duplicate photos taken – one copy was sent to guest speaker with a thank you note,
one copy kept in Media Center photo album. Guest speakers present same information in all three 35 minute lunch hours. Generally,
guest speakers are not paid to present.
Animals: Paws with a Cause - Helping Hands monkey - Dog obedience – Cats - Exotic birds, Retired Greyhounds as Pets – Snakes and
reptiles – Pigeon racing - Leader Dogs for the Blind - Humane Society – Animal rescue shelters – Show dogs
Hobbies: Student hobbies (model cars, horseback riding, music, dirt bike/ motor cross racing) – Clowning – Archaeology – Astronomy
– Baseball cards – Native American crafts and artifacts – Animation art
Occupations: Sign Language interpreter – TV News, Weather or Sports Personality – Commercial Diver – Newspaper Reporter – Sports
Photographer – Wildlife Removal Specialist – New Principal/Superintendent – School Architect – Police Evidence Technician – Sports
Medicine – Radio Disc Jockey – Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician – Community College Occupational Therapy Program
Sports: Fencing – Lacrosse – Para-Olympics – Baseball Bat Boy or Basketball Ball Girl - Karate
High School Clubs or Alumnae: Electric car club – Robotics team – Primitive archery – Drama Club – Drummer – General Motors
Explorer Scouts rebuilt Corvette – former Chicago Bears football player
Final BB Seminar: (June) Open to students who have paid their fines and returned all library books. Local pet store.
TEAM “R” – READING ADVISORS
Team “R” member: __________________________________
______________________________________
_____________________________
Book Title
Author
1.
Write a two-sentence summary of the book that will make someone want to read it.
2.
Briefly describe:
Main characters; ______________________________________________________________________________
Setting: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Plot: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Problem:____________________________________________________________________________________
3.
Tell what you liked best about the book
4.
Where appropriate discuss:
Genre: _________________________________________________________________________________________
(Mystery, Biography, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, Sports, Animal)
Series or Sequel:_________________________________________________________________________________
Hankie rating: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Read several paragraphs: (page number) ______________________________________________________________
Other books by author: ____________________________________________________________________________
Information about the author: _______________________________________________________________________
Awards:________________________________________________________________________________________
Begin or end with a question: _______________________________________________________________________
5.
Look for “hooks” (scary, fast paced, funny) ____________________________________________________________
6.
End the book talk with a “cliffhanger” or question. NEVER GIVE AWAY THE ENDING
7.
Keep the book talk short and simple – 3 minutes – leave them wanting more.
8.
Other ideas:
Props: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Hat or costume _______________________________________________________________________________
Book talk with a buddy;________________________________________________________________________
Other: ______________________________________________________________________________________
MEDIA CENTER STAFF MEMBERS SERVICES
Postage Stamps
Headache Remedies
Laminating
Art Wax Machine
Poster Printer
Scanner
Printer Ink Cartridges
Overhead Projector Bulbs
AA & AAA Batteries for Remote Controls
Refrigerator
Microwave
Paper Cutter
Sewing Kit
Clear Nail polish
Cling Free Spray
Feminine Products
3-Hole Punch
Long Stapler
Student School Supplies
Sweaters
Candy – Candy Store Gift Certificates
STORYTELLER’S SCAVENGER HUNT
Directions to players: As you walk around the room, ask someone to show, do or tell you about one of the things listed below. When he or she
has completed the activity, have that person sign your sheet of paper. Each person may only sign one time.
Now you must tell, show or do one of the activities in return, then sign your name on that person’s paper.
Share only what you are willing to share and have fun!
Find someone who will tell you:
1.
A jump rope rhyme, a nursery rhyme, a poem, or sing a favorite song or commercial.
2.
About something his or her mom/dad/aunt/uncle/grandma/ grandpa/ brother/ sister, etc. always says.
3.
About an interesting experience with an animal.
4.
About a favorite secret hiding place.
5.
About a time he or she cooked something that didn’t turn out.
6.
About the time he or she was lost or scared.
7.
About an award, contest, trophy or medal he or she won.
8.
Something funny or unusual that he or she can do with their body.
9.
About the best or worst day he or she ever had in school.
10. About a place he or she used to live but doesn’t live there any more.
Reprinted from: Raising Voices: Creating Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes. Libraries Unlimited, 2003.
“ME” STORY BAG
1. Look all the things in your bedroom and around the house. Chose five or six objects that tells something special about you. Put the
objects into a paper bag.
2. Decorate the bag with your favorite colors, cartoons, sports stars, etc.
3. On the outside of the bag write your full name in big letters. Ask your parents to tell you the story behind your name. Why was the
name chosen? Who were you named after? Were there any unusual circumstances surrounding your birth or naming?
4. Share the contents of the bag with other students in your the group.