SALT’S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING ATMOSPHERE THAT STRENGTHENS STUDENTS’ READING ABILITIES WHILE EXPOSING THEM TO A VARIETY OF LITERATURE GENRES.

WHAT IS SALT?

SALT stands for “Salem Area Literature Tournament” and is a competitive reading club for students.

This extracurricular club is designed to allow students the opportunity to improve their reading abilities and expand their literary knowledge while competing in a friendly and positive environment. Reading, quiz practice, and pre-tournament club competitions will be done through your school in preparation for the area-wide tournament against teams from other schools.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE ON A TEAM?

Any 3rd-6th grade student with teacher approval can participate on a team. 

Teams will compete in either the 3rd-4th Grade Division or the 5th-6th Grade Division. Division placement will be determined by the oldest student participating on the team. All teams must have a coach and school staff member who oversees and administers the club (this may be the same person). It is up to your school to determine student limits for your club and school competitions.

WHAT BOOKS DO WE QUIZ ON?

Students will be quizzed using questions compiled from content in the books found on the SALT reading list. 

3rd-4th Grade Division will quiz over 12 books on the list. 5th-6th Grade Division will quiz over all 16 books. Reading selections include family-friendly books from the following genres: Adventure, Mystery, Classics, Historical Fiction, Bible, Fantasy, and Non-fiction. SALT’s yearly book list is compiled by the SALT Committee and volunteer parents. The books are screened by two or more committee members for age-appropriate content. Suggestions for future SALT reading material may be made through a school’s coach and/or team administrator.

WHEN AND WHERE DO WE PARTICIPATE?

Students participate in your school’s club for practices and pre-tournament competitions. The area-wide tournament is hosted by Salem Academy in the Spring.

Dates, times, and locations for your school’s team members to practice and compete against each other should be determined by your coach or club administrator. The area-wide tournament will be held at Salem Academy Elementary School. Opening ceremonies will begin at 9:00 am with the competition immediately following.

HOW DO WE JOIN?

Contact SALT Director Jeneé Orso by calling 503-399-7360, or email jorso@saltvault.org.

Once your school has registered and completed the necessary forms, we will be in touch with more information such as guidelines for managing your club, coach and administrator training, competition rules, and links to helpful resources.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

MATTHEW 5:13

In ancient history, salt had two main uses. The first was to preserve food from rotting or spoiling. The second use was, and still is, to bring out the flavor of food. We can tie this in spiritually in that believers in Christ are “preservatives” in the world. Those of us in Christ help to preserve the world from evil by being an example to others. Christians who do this also add flavor to the world by influencing it in positive ways. We can show the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 6) in all we do and exemplify Christ to a world looking for hope.