Reading Aloud Competition
Welcome to the first ever annual KITAB Read-Aloud Competition, organized by KITAB, with support from the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and the Abu Dhabi Education Zone, and with sponsorship from KALIMA.
In 2009-2010 the competition will invite all 5th graders in schools in the Abu Dhabi zone to participate. For the first year, a total of 55 schools will be participating. Each student will select from 3 KALIMA titles an excerpt, which will be approximately 2 – 3 minutes in length, to be read aloud in front of a panel of 3 judges. Each reading will be marked using a standardized points form. The student with the highest total score will succeed to the next level.
In 2009-2010 the competition will invite all 5th graders in schools in the Abu Dhabi zone to participate. For the first year, a total of 55 schools will be participating. Each student will select from 3 KALIMA titles an excerpt, which will be approximately 2 – 3 minutes in length, to be read aloud in front of a panel of 3 judges. Each reading will be marked using a standardized points form. The student with the highest total score will succeed to the next level.
- 6 January 2010: Schools: This is the first level of competition. The competition will take place within the school. A panel of 3 school officials will judge the competition. There is no limit to how many students can take part, but ultimately 1 winner must be selected to represent the school.
- 18 February 2010: Abu Dhabi Education Zone (ADEZ): This is the second level of the competition. The finalists from each school will now compete in front of a panel of 3 judges selected by the ADEZ. 20 winners will be selected from the group to proceed to the next level.
- 28 February 2010: Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH): This is the third level of the competition. The 20 finalists from the ADEZ competition level will compete in front of a panel of 3 judges selected by the ADACH. 5 finalists will be selected to compete at the final level of the competition.
- 5 March 2010: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (2010): This is the final round of the competition. A committee of 3 judges selected by KITAB, organizer of the ADIBF, will select the final 3 winners of the competition (1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners).
KITAB (organizer): a joint venture company created between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and the Frankfurt Book Fair, KITAB is responsible for the organization of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair at which this competition will ultimately be finalized. KITAB will manage the communication between all the partners, as well as coordinate the delivery of the books with KALIMA, selection of final prizes and the media coverage of the event. KITAB will organize the final round of assessment at the ADIBF by selecting and arranging for the panel of judges and the material to be used.
Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH): as one of the partners in the creation of KITAB and as a key factor in the promotion of UAE heritage and culture, ADACH will support the competition in many ways, one of the most important being by providing a panel of 3 judges to score the winners of level 3 of the competition that it will host. ADACH will compile the final results and will hand all the paperwork directly to KITAB within 2 business days of this round for the final round at ADIBF.
Abu Dhabi Education Zone (ADEZ): a vital organization in managing all matters related to Education in the Abu Dhabi area, the ADEZ will help coordinate communications with the schools at all levels of the competition and will nominate and organize a panel of 3 judges to score the second level of the competition that it will host. The ADEZ is responsible for coordinating and hosting the second round and coordinating the invitation of the finalists from round one to attend. ADEZ will also select 3 judges to form a panel that will evaluate the contestants. ADEZ will compile the final results and will hand all the paperwork directly to KITAB within 2 business days of this round, for onward transmission to ADACH.
KALIMA (sponsor): a translation initiative of the ADACH, KALIMA will be the sponsor of the books (3 – 4 titles, 3 copies to each school) that will be utilized in the competition. KALIMA will also help in the provision of the book bag prizes for the 3 finalists, as well as managing a surprise prize for the 1st place winner. KALIMA will nominate a representative to sit on both the ADACH and the ADIBF assessment rounds’ judging panels.
Participating Schools in Abu Dhabi: Each school is responsible (under direction from the ADEZ) to select a panel, and to organize their school competition and ensure that the books provided are made available to interested students. The school is also responsible for providing the original score cards of the competition and results within 2 business days to the ADEZ. Each school will also coordinate with the ADEZ and the student’s parents to ensure that the student attends any consecutive assessment rounds should s/he qualify.
Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH): as one of the partners in the creation of KITAB and as a key factor in the promotion of UAE heritage and culture, ADACH will support the competition in many ways, one of the most important being by providing a panel of 3 judges to score the winners of level 3 of the competition that it will host. ADACH will compile the final results and will hand all the paperwork directly to KITAB within 2 business days of this round for the final round at ADIBF.
Abu Dhabi Education Zone (ADEZ): a vital organization in managing all matters related to Education in the Abu Dhabi area, the ADEZ will help coordinate communications with the schools at all levels of the competition and will nominate and organize a panel of 3 judges to score the second level of the competition that it will host. The ADEZ is responsible for coordinating and hosting the second round and coordinating the invitation of the finalists from round one to attend. ADEZ will also select 3 judges to form a panel that will evaluate the contestants. ADEZ will compile the final results and will hand all the paperwork directly to KITAB within 2 business days of this round, for onward transmission to ADACH.
KALIMA (sponsor): a translation initiative of the ADACH, KALIMA will be the sponsor of the books (3 – 4 titles, 3 copies to each school) that will be utilized in the competition. KALIMA will also help in the provision of the book bag prizes for the 3 finalists, as well as managing a surprise prize for the 1st place winner. KALIMA will nominate a representative to sit on both the ADACH and the ADIBF assessment rounds’ judging panels.
Participating Schools in Abu Dhabi: Each school is responsible (under direction from the ADEZ) to select a panel, and to organize their school competition and ensure that the books provided are made available to interested students. The school is also responsible for providing the original score cards of the competition and results within 2 business days to the ADEZ. Each school will also coordinate with the ADEZ and the student’s parents to ensure that the student attends any consecutive assessment rounds should s/he qualify.
Round/Level 1 – Schools – 15 December 2009:
All participants who compete in the school level of the competition will receive a certificate of participation.
The final winner from each school will receive both a certificate of participation as well as a small appreciation prize (wrist band or cap, etc.).
Rounds/Levels 2&3 – ADEZ and ADACH – 15 & 28 February 2010:
Small appreciation prizes will be given to participants.
Round/Level 4 – finale at ADIBF – 5 March 2010:
The top 3 winners will be selected from the 5 finalists.
First place winner:
All participants who compete in the school level of the competition will receive a certificate of participation.
The final winner from each school will receive both a certificate of participation as well as a small appreciation prize (wrist band or cap, etc.).
Rounds/Levels 2&3 – ADEZ and ADACH – 15 & 28 February 2010:
Small appreciation prizes will be given to participants.
Round/Level 4 – finale at ADIBF – 5 March 2010:
The top 3 winners will be selected from the 5 finalists.
First place winner:
- Book bag of KALIMA books
- Vouchers to purchase books
- SURPRISE prize to be donated by KALIMA
- A seat on the judging panel for 2010-2011 Read-Aloud competition.
Second & Third place winners:
- Book bag of KALIMA books
- Vouchers to purchase books
Fourth & Fifth place winners:
- Book bag of KALIMA books
Dear judge/panel member,
Thank you for agreeing to take part in this competition which aims to bring some fun and animation to reading by bringing back the old traditions of storytelling. The competition is aimed at students in grade 5.
Each participating student will be asked to read an excerpt from a choice of 3 – 4 KALIMA titles (that will be made available to the participating schools). The excerpt reading should last between 2 and 3 minutes.
On the panel, there will be 3 judges. Each judge will be asked to complete the score card for each student. After all students have performed their reading, the panel will tally/add up the scores from each judge for a final total out of 60points. The student with the highest score is the winner of this round of the competition.
In the case of a tied score:
If after the tallying process it appears that there are students who have tied scores, the students will be invited to re-perform their reading before the judging panel. The students will also be asked to read a surprise text that will be supplied to them by the judging panel.
This process is to be repeated in case of another tied score.
Thank you for agreeing to take part in this competition which aims to bring some fun and animation to reading by bringing back the old traditions of storytelling. The competition is aimed at students in grade 5.
Each participating student will be asked to read an excerpt from a choice of 3 – 4 KALIMA titles (that will be made available to the participating schools). The excerpt reading should last between 2 and 3 minutes.
On the panel, there will be 3 judges. Each judge will be asked to complete the score card for each student. After all students have performed their reading, the panel will tally/add up the scores from each judge for a final total out of 60points. The student with the highest score is the winner of this round of the competition.
In the case of a tied score:
If after the tallying process it appears that there are students who have tied scores, the students will be invited to re-perform their reading before the judging panel. The students will also be asked to read a surprise text that will be supplied to them by the judging panel.
This process is to be repeated in case of another tied score.
During the reading competition it is important to restore a written text only with the voice as an expressive medium to life. For this the student needs clear articulation, eloquent emphasis and adequate reading velocity. Tongue slips shouldn’t be overvalued.
It is important how the student can successfully reach his/her audience and also maintains the interest of the audience with the presented book.
IMPORTANT NOTE: committed reading is not to be confused with acting! Dialogues and mood can also be arranged without excessive theatrical production.
For the student’s selected text, the student should demonstrate that s/he has a strong understanding of the overall context of the story.
Since not all students are equally talented in free speech, it is irrelevant for the assessment and judging purposes whether they formulate a short introduction or recount the context of reflect demand.
Evaluation criteria
For the assessment reading 4 criteria will be used: reading technique, copywriting, text understanding and personal style/technique.
Reading technique (maximum total 5 points)
Is the speaker reading the text very safely and smoothly (clear pronunciation, adequate reading velocity, meaningful emphasis)? Tongue slips shouldn’t be overvalued.
Copywriting (maximum total 5 points)
Will the audience understand the text and grasp the mood and atmosphere? This does not mean exaggerated theatrical performance!
Text understanding (only applies to the prepared text) (maximum total 5 points)
Is the prepared text section conclusively, are beginning and end understandable? Could the student briefly connect his text section in order with the total action of the book and in his own words?
Respects the time limit of the reading time allocated (did not exceed 2-3 minutes). Without being stopped by the jury?
Personal Style/Technique (maximum total 5 points)
Did the reader bring his/her own style, voice and flavour to the reading?
Awarding Points
Each criterion can be scored at a maximum of 5 points. The evaluation form also offers an area for guidance notes or constructive criticism which allows the judge to give their overall impression and any points that could be improved.
It is important how the student can successfully reach his/her audience and also maintains the interest of the audience with the presented book.
IMPORTANT NOTE: committed reading is not to be confused with acting! Dialogues and mood can also be arranged without excessive theatrical production.
For the student’s selected text, the student should demonstrate that s/he has a strong understanding of the overall context of the story.
Since not all students are equally talented in free speech, it is irrelevant for the assessment and judging purposes whether they formulate a short introduction or recount the context of reflect demand.
Evaluation criteria
For the assessment reading 4 criteria will be used: reading technique, copywriting, text understanding and personal style/technique.
Reading technique (maximum total 5 points)
Is the speaker reading the text very safely and smoothly (clear pronunciation, adequate reading velocity, meaningful emphasis)? Tongue slips shouldn’t be overvalued.
Copywriting (maximum total 5 points)
Will the audience understand the text and grasp the mood and atmosphere? This does not mean exaggerated theatrical performance!
Text understanding (only applies to the prepared text) (maximum total 5 points)
Is the prepared text section conclusively, are beginning and end understandable? Could the student briefly connect his text section in order with the total action of the book and in his own words?
Respects the time limit of the reading time allocated (did not exceed 2-3 minutes). Without being stopped by the jury?
Personal Style/Technique (maximum total 5 points)
Did the reader bring his/her own style, voice and flavour to the reading?
Awarding Points
Each criterion can be scored at a maximum of 5 points. The evaluation form also offers an area for guidance notes or constructive criticism which allows the judge to give their overall impression and any points that could be improved.
