Calling all 3rd to 6th graders! Didn't get through all the books you planned to this summer? There is still time to read and prepare for the 2022 Battle of the Books! 

Sign-ups and team forming will begin the week of SEPTEMBER 12–16 during the school day at lunch. The team competitions will begin OCTOBER 24, also during the school day at lunch. There is no cost to participate in this program and all BoB books are available in the Silver Oak Library!

Here are the book lists for 3-4 and 4-6 grades. Pick your favorites or the ones you have not read or the ones you never would have if not for the BoB...which ever way you pick, have fun reading!

Each list consists of 20 excellent titles, a mix of classic and new, selected by the America's Battle of the Books organization.

Battle of the Books Reading List 2022

Happy Reading!

COMPETITION RULES FOR BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

Students in 3rd-6th grades are signed up, have formed teams, and are ready to battle in our upcoming 2022 Battle of the Books competition that begins begins Monday, October 24.

Teams are made up of 4-6 students and are grouped in two grade spans where 3rd and 4th graders play against each other and 5th and 6th graders compete amongst each other. This year we have twelve 3/4 grade teams and ten 5/6 grade teams. Over the next 5-6 weeks, these teams will prepare to go to "battle" with each other by reading 20 books from the Battle of the Books list.

How "Battles" Work

The tournament starts with each team playing 2 games to get a feel for the types of questions being asked and how answers should be given. There are 24 questions in each game worth 2 points a piece. An example of a question might be: In what book did students participate in a Quidditch game? Teams earn 1 point for providing the title of the book and a second point for naming the author. 

After the initial 2 games are played, teams are ranked and play in the elimination rounds, meaning their team wins they move on, their team loses they are done for this year's competition.

Championship Prize and Recognition

The winning team has a chance to win $15 Amazon gift cards sponsored by our PTO and the title of Silver Oak BOB Champions.

Tournament Bracket Schedule

Here is a schedule of days teams will face each other in competition. This schedule is subject to change.

3rd and 4th Grade Teams

5th and 6th Grade Teams

Project Cornerstone's ABC program provides our children with the tools and skills to trive. We rotate through the three year program with the first year being our "ASSET" year, second year being our "BUILDING" year, and the third year, our "CHAMPION" year. 

2022-2023 is the Building year of ABC (Assets Building Champions) program. The focus of these books is "Inclusion" It's for everyone.

2021-2022 was the ASSET year of ABC and the theme is being UPSTANDER An UPstander is someone who stands up for others by using kindness and empathy to do the right thing.

From October through May, each month, a school-wide book will be read by assigned parent volunteers in every classroom in Grades K through 4. The book and discussion will build developmental assets like respect, tolerance, friendship and perseverance and teach life skills and tools to deal with social conflicts.

ABC (Assets Building Champions) program is Project Cornerstone's literature–based program addressing important issues like respect, tolerance, honesty, peaceful conflict resolution, taking a stand against bullying behaviors, and refusing to participate in gossip. It provides our entire school community, from principal to student, a shared vocabulary and collective strategies for dealing with difficult situations both in school and out.

Ideally, each classroom has a volunteer parent reader team of 2 per classroom to share the reading, classroom management, discussion and activity for each monthly visit. 

Would you like to be part of our Project Cornerstone ABC Reader Team? Do you love to read to children in the classroom and have about 2 – 3 hours to spare a month? Then this opportunity is for you – Read a Book – Change a life. 

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Participate in a monthly one–hour training session for the book you will read in class and plan activities.
• Prepare activity, read the book to the class, facilitate a discussion, and present the activity to the class each month. 

ABC readers make a difference by making Silver Oak Elementary School a safer and more caring place to learn and grow. 

If you are interested in volunteering please contact:

• Sree at sree.kadiyala@gmail.com or
• Priya at shirodkarpriya@gmail.com

2022-2023 Books

March 2033 Book:

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson Enemy Pie is a heartwarming and engaging story that's narrated by the main character, a young boy who has a problem with the new kid who moved into the neighborhood. With his fathers help, the boy learns an effective recipe for turning your best enemy into your best friend. The story delivers a powerful lesson about friendship and the importance of not jumping to conclusionsabout people before you know them.  Theme : Relationship Skills (ability to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups). Goals:  To develop a growth mindset that embraces meeting new people and discovering new things about classmates and friends.  To improve friendship making skills to include forgiveness and learn to make a genuine apology. To be aware that their actions can cause friendships to bloom and wilt.

February 2033 Book:

LONG SHOT- Never Too small To DREAM BIG  by Chris Paul In this book, NBA Basketball All-Star, Chris Paul, writes about the story of making his high school basketball team despite being one of the shortest players trying out. He talks about the value of determination, hard work, and the refusal to accept limitations. Theme :​​​​​​​ Positive Identity & Self-Management (ability to harness one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively to achieve goals). Goals:  Use a growth mindset to explore, discover, and pursue the sparks (interests, dreams, passions) Identify your spark champions (peers, family, and others who give you support) Be spark champions for others and use teamwork to build inclusion. Set short term goals as part of exploring your purpose through persistence, perseverance, and determination.

January 2023 Book:

Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day  by Jaime Lee Curtis This book was selected because it teaches about emotional literacy-naming, understanding, and coping with feelings. This book shows students the range of emotions a person can feel and how to identify them. It teaches students to identify their own emotions and to understand how another person may be feeling. Learning to identify feelings is important to building empathy. Having a rich vocabulary to describe feelings helps children understand themselves better and understand and communicate with others better as well. Identifying emotions helps children cultivate better relationships.​​​​​​​ Theme: Motivate Kids to manage their own emotions and behaviors Goals:  1. Name and notice the feelings/emotions of self and others. 2. Learn ways to accept and deal with feelings.  3. Empower students to practice specific skills they can use to influence things that happen to them.  4. View disappointment and sadness as temporary and fixable states.

November 2022 Book:

The Day You Begin  by Jacqueline Woodson “The Day You Begin” is about a little girl entering into a new world. It features this beautiful African American girl talking about her expectations about entering someplace new and her thoughts about how she might be received. She eventually figures out how to make herself seen and heard. This book celebrates diversity in the classroom and talks about how we can learn about the world from each other. Theme : Celebrate Differences Goals: Accept and celebrate differences. UPstanders practice intentional acts of caring. Practice inclusive behaviors to create a caring school. Show empathy to others. Speak your voice. Recognize and value all dimensions of diversity.

October 2022 Book:

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell This book helps students recognize that they have the power within themselves to deal with bucket dipping behaviors. The main character is empowered by a caring adult, her grandmother. As her grandmother fills her bucket, Molly Lou gains self confidence which empowers her to stand up to bucket dipping behaviors. Molly Lou models positive self-talk to other students in the class. She demonstrates how positive energy can not only change negative behavior, but also create a welcoming and inclusive environment. Theme : Walk Proud, Smile Big and Sing loud Goals: Use self-care to be your best. Focus on the fact that you have the power to choose how you react! Use your body language to stand tall, walk proud, smile big and sing loud. Remove mud thoughts by using clear thoughts and positive self-talk. Stop, think, and understand to prevent bucket dipping. Identify and name the caring adults that are your cheerleaders.

September 2022 Book:

René Has Two Last Names by René Colato Laínez This book is about a little boy, René, who moves from El Salvador to the United States. René has two last names which represent his mother and father’s families. His classmates make fun of him for having such a long name. René is proud of his names and intentionally uses his family tree homework assignment to stand up to the bucket dipping and explain the significance of his family names. Theme : Embrace Your Culture Goals: Try to get to know people before making judgments. Understand and learn about different cultures and how diversity makes us stronger. Identify and celebrate individuals’ personal identities. Use positive personal power to stand up for traditions and beliefs. Be inclusive and accepting of differences. Understand friendship boosters and busters. Hang out with people who let you be YOU!

2021-2022 Books

May's character trait is “Integrity”   We will read the book, “The Empty Pot” by Demi   Theme: Courage, Honesty, Integrity, Responsibility, Perseverance (CHIRP) Goal for May: Model how to act with courage, honesty, responsibility, integrity, and perseverance. Stand by beliefs and stand up for them with courage and determination. Honesty makes trust bloom.

	April’s character trait is “Acceptance.” We will read the book, “One” by Kathryn Otoshi Theme: It just takes ONE to make a difference! Everyone counts. Goal for April: Students will know, accept and value who they are, and know that they have the power to make a difference in their own (and other students’) lives.

	March's character trait is “Honesty.” This month we will read the book "Trouble Talk" by Trudy Ludwig. This book is about the power of words and how words can either be uplifting or hurtful. Theme: Rumors stop with me! Goal for March: Help children become more aware of their personal responsibility to treat others with kindness and respect. Use tools of healthy talk and a genuine apology.

	February's character trait is "Empathy." We will read the book, “The Recess Queen” by Alexis O’Neill Theme: Peaceful conflict steps. Goal for February: Empower students to use their skills as UPstanders to create a safe and caring climate on the school playground by using conflict resolution, telling and making a report, and inviting and including all to participate in play.

	December’s character trait is “Caring.” We will read the book, “Say Something” by Peggy Moss Theme: If you see an injustice... say something! Say and do something. Move from bystander to becoming an UPstander.   Goal for December: Provide students with concrete examples of bully behaviors and discuss strategies for safely responding to verbal, physical, and relational bullying. Use kindness and be an UPstander to counteract negative behavior.

	November’s character trait is “Leadership.” We will read the book, “Simon’s Hook” by Karen G. Burnett Theme: Five tools to deal with teasing.  Goal for November: Help students feel empowered and in control of things that happen to them. Learn specific language and techniques to avoid taking the bait.

	October's character trait is  "Respect."  We will read the book," Have You Filled a Bucket Today? " by  Carol McCloud .  Goal for October: Empower students to intentionally fill their buckets and the buckets of others with good feelings.

About Silver Oak Birthday Book Club

Celebrate your child’s birthday and help build their classroom or school library collection by participating in the Birthday Book Club. This long-standing tradition that allows parents to recognize their child's birthday by donating books to their classroom or our school library.

Flyers are sent home with students with upcoming birthdays. Those who wish to participate can return the completed form and payment to their classroom. The students is then invited to choose a book, write their signature on it and donate it to their classroom or the school library.

These books are long lasting gifts that all the students of Silver Oak School can enjoy for years to come. We greatly appreciate your support.

For more information please contact Nicole Rotter at rotter.nicole@yahoo.com. 

Birthday Book Club Recognition Page

Thank you Birthday Book Club Participants!

PTO is happy to report the following students have chosen books to be donated to their classroom or the school library.
 

June Birthdays

July Birthdays

August Birthdays

September Birthdays

 October Birthdays

November Birthdays

December Birthdays

January Birthdays

February Birthdays

Christian B.

Elyse C.

Colin C.

Yvette F.

Zareena G.

Viraaj K.

Colin L.

Bao N.

Kylie S.

Skylar W.

Bzz...Bzz...It's Time to Study for the 2023 Silver Oak Spelling Bee

This spelling bee contest offers all students in grades 4-6 the chance to showcase their spelling prowess in a classic Spelling Bee contest in January.

All grade 4-6 students will take the Written Spelling Bee test in their respective classes on January 11, 2023.

Top finalists from the written bee will advance to the Oral Spelling Bee on January 19, 2023 1-3 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. Permission slips will be sent home to those students who qualify for the oral spelling bee.

The Regional Qualifier Online test will be held between 2/10/23 and 2/17/23 and SNSB California Regional Bee is in March 2023 via zoom. More information will follow for the winner of the school spelling bee, and where they will compete next!

A big thank you to Silver Oak PTO for sponsoring this event.

Important Dates:

• Written Spelling Bee: January 11, 2023 (Wed) during regular school hours.
• Oral Spelling Bee: January 19, 2023 (Thu)  1-3p.m. in Multi Purpose Room

Words used in the Silver Oak Oral Spelling Bee event may be selected from the following:

• 2022-2023 School Spelling Bee Study List
• 2022 Words of the Champions
• 2022-2023 Great Words Great Works Book List
• Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged, Copyright 2002, Merriam Webster Inc., and its Addenda Section

In preparation for the written spelling bee visit:

www.myspellit.com for free word lists. (Click on a language of origin to see the word lists)

spellingbee.com/word-club if you wish to purchase National Spelling Bee Club preparation kits.

Please contact Silver Oak PTO at silveroakreads@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Silver Oak held its 17th annual Spelling Bee competition on January 19, 2023

Congratulations to our 1st place winner:

Liv S. (5th grade)

Congratulations to our 2nd place winners:

Amiya B. (6th grade)

 Julianna S. (5th grade)

Congratulations to the all 16 Silver Oak Spelling Bee Participants for a spectacular showing of their amazing spelling skills:

4th Grade
Jenny Z.

5th Grade
Aaron P.
Julianna S.
Liv S.
Martin K.
Shardul A.

6th Grade
Aasav S.
Amiiya B.
Anabelle Q.
Anvitha M.
Arav D.
Dilsha V.
Evan P.
Jesse A.
Lucas L.
Navya T.

Congratulations to the top 23 winners in Silver Oak 2023 Spelling Bee
Written Contest!

All Silver Oak students in grades 4-6 were invited to register free to take
the initial test in their classrooms.

Lucas L. (Mrs. Pink)

Martin K. (Mr. Clopton)

Shardul A. (Mrs. Giacomini)

Liv S. (Mrs. Giocomini)

Kalin G. (Mr. Mahr)

Zeeshan H. (Mr. Mahr)

Anvitha M. (Mrs. Neil)

Lan N. (Mrs. Neil)

Aasav S. (Mrs. Neil)

Amiya B. (Mrs. Pink)

Vihaan S. (Ms. Poslavsky)

Evan P. (Mrs. Pink)

Arav D. (Mrs. Pink)

Navya T. (Mrs. Neil)

Jenny Z. (Mr. Robin)

Naina K. (Mr. Mahr)

Aaron P. (Mrs. Poslavsky)

Matthew S. (Mr. Clopton)

Johnathan L. (Mrs. Neil)

Jesse A. (Mrs. Neil)

Dilsha V. (Mrs. Neil)

Anabelle Q. (Mr. Mahr)

Julianna S. (Mrs. Giacomini)