The Reading Rockets of Leschi Elementary School recently won first place honors in the Global Reading Challenge, a battle of the books program for 4th and 5th grade students in Seattle Public Schools. The program, now in its 20th year, encourages children to have fun and enjoy reading. It also introduces children to a wide variety of multicultural reading materials, promotes teamwork, and encourages the use and enjoyment of their school and public libraries.
A total of 54 schools competed in this year’s Global Reading Challenge, as they were tested on their knowledge and comprehension of 10 books that the students read in preparation for the competition. The students were asked tough questions on the books that they read, and top teams were eliminated during an intense “lightning round” for wrong answers.
In the end, the competition came down to Leschi and a team representing Orca Elementary School. Each team answered 100% of their questions right after all of the other schools were eliminated. Over the course of the competition, both Orca and Leschi proved that they were very strong teams – battling to a draw at the end of the semi-final round. In the final round, the judges determined after several exhausting rounds that the likliehood of either team getting stumped was unlikely and decided to make them co-champions of the 2015 competition.
Leschi has competed in the Global Reading Challenge for 15 years, reaching the final round on more than one occasion, but this is the first time they took 1st place. As a result of their victory, the students received medals and trophies commemorating the 20th annual challenge, and will get a chance to meet the Mayor.
Special recognition goes out to Mrs. Wilson (Leschi Librarian and team lead) for her time and commitment to get the team prepared.
