Art: Terry Lanier
This contest involves the study of paintings from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and paintings or pictures from selected Texas museums. The Art Smart Bulletin, published every other year, is the source for study of history and art elements relative to the 40 art selections and is the final authority in the spelling of artists' names and titles of art works. As part of their study, students will demonstrate an understanding of art history and interpret ideas and moods in original artworks while making informed judgments about the artwork.
|
Calculator Applications : Matt Corcoran
The calculator applications contest is designed to stimulate the development of mathematical and calculator skills for students in grade 6, 7 and 8. Goals are both intellectual and practical: developing mathematical reasoning and knowledge and requiring the application of problem-solving skills toward realistic problems. Students will take a test containing 80 problems in 30 minutes. The contest consists of problems which may include calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, roots, and powers. It also includes straight-forward calculation problems, and simple geometric and stated problems similar to those found in recently adopted textbooks.
|
Chess Puzzle: Kenneth McDowell
Chess puzzle competition is very different from tournament chess play. Contestants in a chess puzzle contest receive a paper-and-pencil test that includes a series of chess boards with pieces in particular positions. Questions are based on analysis of material or possible moves in each given diagram.
|
Dictionary Skills: Bonnie Goodwin
Thorough knowledge of the dictionary is a way to increase a student's ability to find the information that is needed for classwork as well as everyday living. Each Dictionary Skills test consists of 40 objective and short answer questions to be completed in 20 minutes. Contestants use dictionaries during the competition, which may be tabbed. Contest questions cover word origins and histories, parts of speech, pronunciation, variant spellings, plurals, alphabetizing and other such elements. Test questions are also taken from charts, tables and lists contained in the dictionary.
|
EDITORIAL WRITING: Carrie Weller
Impromptu Speaking: Amber Stephens
This contest provides opportunities for students in grades 6, 7 and 8 to evaluate
speeches given by others; to explore the use of the voice and body in speaking
situations; to examine the different purposes for speaking; to organize ideas; to
prepare and deliver various speeches; and to develop self-confidence.
speeches given by others; to explore the use of the voice and body in speaking
situations; to examine the different purposes for speaking; to organize ideas; to
prepare and deliver various speeches; and to develop self-confidence.
Listening: Elizabeth Walker
The listening contest is designed to help students in grades 5,6,7 and 8
recognize the importance of effective listening skills and to identify
problems they may have in listening effectively. It also provides a challenging
format to test the improvement of their listening abilities. Through
preparation for the contest, participants will listen actively to a variety of
material and learn to analyze and evaluate a speaker's message critically.
Tests will include, but not necessarily be limited to, language arts, fine arts,
natural sciences and social studies. The objective tests will measure skills
such as identifying the main idea and supporting ideas, drawing conclusions,
distinguishing fact from opinion, and mastering other listening and thinking skills.
recognize the importance of effective listening skills and to identify
problems they may have in listening effectively. It also provides a challenging
format to test the improvement of their listening abilities. Through
preparation for the contest, participants will listen actively to a variety of
material and learn to analyze and evaluate a speaker's message critically.
Tests will include, but not necessarily be limited to, language arts, fine arts,
natural sciences and social studies. The objective tests will measure skills
such as identifying the main idea and supporting ideas, drawing conclusions,
distinguishing fact from opinion, and mastering other listening and thinking skills.
Maps, Charts, & Graphs: Jimmy Armstrong
The maps, graphs & charts contest is designed to help students learn to get
information from a variety of maps, graphs and charts including world maps,
pie charts, bar charts and local area maps. The objective test will measure skills
such as using a reference book to locate information, making comparisons,
estimating and approximating, using scale and interpreting grid systems,
legends and keys.
information from a variety of maps, graphs and charts including world maps,
pie charts, bar charts and local area maps. The objective test will measure skills
such as using a reference book to locate information, making comparisons,
estimating and approximating, using scale and interpreting grid systems,
legends and keys.
Mathematics: Janis Mann
Students begin taking math in elementary school and continue taking it
in high school. Learning to complete math problems quickly is a valuable
skill in all facets of life including engineering, accounting, completing a tax
return and even grocery shopping. This contest includes problems covering,
but not limited to: numeration systems, arithmetic operations involving whole
numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, exponents, order of operations,
probability, statistics, number theory, simple interest, measurements and conversions.
Geometry and algebra problems may be included as appropriate for the grade level.
in high school. Learning to complete math problems quickly is a valuable
skill in all facets of life including engineering, accounting, completing a tax
return and even grocery shopping. This contest includes problems covering,
but not limited to: numeration systems, arithmetic operations involving whole
numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, exponents, order of operations,
probability, statistics, number theory, simple interest, measurements and conversions.
Geometry and algebra problems may be included as appropriate for the grade level.
Modern Oratory: Amber stephens
In Modern Oratory, the sixth, seventh and eighth grade contestants will
select one of the topics, determine the critical issues in the topic, and
acknowledge both pro and con points citing support discovered in their
research. Students will choose a side they will defend and support that
side with additional evidence. Along with the skills of analysis, research,
note-taking, documentation, evaluation and decision-making come those
of delivery and the skill of memorization.
select one of the topics, determine the critical issues in the topic, and
acknowledge both pro and con points citing support discovered in their
research. Students will choose a side they will defend and support that
side with additional evidence. Along with the skills of analysis, research,
note-taking, documentation, evaluation and decision-making come those
of delivery and the skill of memorization.
Number Sense: Camille Williams
Individuals are called upon every day to use their ability to make quick mental calculations to make decisions. The development of such abilities should be an integral part of the math curriculum. Concepts covered include, but are not limited to: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, proportions, and use of mathematic notation.
Music Memory: Katie Stoner
The focus of the Music Memory contest is an in-depth study of fine
pieces of music literature taken from a wide spectrum of music genres
to expose students to great composers,their lives and their music. In the
course of preparing for the contest, students should be given the opportunity
to describe and analyze the music, relate the music to history, to
society and to culture, and to evaluate musical performance.
pieces of music literature taken from a wide spectrum of music genres
to expose students to great composers,their lives and their music. In the
course of preparing for the contest, students should be given the opportunity
to describe and analyze the music, relate the music to history, to
society and to culture, and to evaluate musical performance.
Oral Reading: Amber stephens
Reading literature out loud provides opportunities for students to analyze the text,
to grow and to develop as a performer, to communicate a message to an audience
and to perform an artistic creation. The oral reading competition should be an extension
of the classroom literary and language arts activities in poetry, short stories and
children's fiction. See the link for frequently asked questions about oral reading.
to grow and to develop as a performer, to communicate a message to an audience
and to perform an artistic creation. The oral reading competition should be an extension
of the classroom literary and language arts activities in poetry, short stories and
children's fiction. See the link for frequently asked questions about oral reading.
Ready Writing: Robyn May
Texas has put a great emphasis on writing skills at all levels
of school and all levels of state-wide testing. Ready Writing,
a contest for students in grades 3,4,5,6,7 and 8, builds
upon those skills and helps students refine their writing abilities.
In particular, this contest helps them to learn to write clearly and
correctly a paper that is interesting and original.
of school and all levels of state-wide testing. Ready Writing,
a contest for students in grades 3,4,5,6,7 and 8, builds
upon those skills and helps students refine their writing abilities.
In particular, this contest helps them to learn to write clearly and
correctly a paper that is interesting and original.
Science: Kate Bradham
Emphasis for the Science contest, for students in seventh and eighth grades,
will be placed on knowledge of scientific fact, understanding of scientific principles
and the ability to think through scientific problems. The contest was designed
to test not only memory but the ability to critically think about science and scientific
processes and concepts. Such concepts include, but are not limited to: matter
and energy, equilibrium, force and motion, physical and chemical properties,
the relationship between organisms and the environment, the components of
our solar system, the composition of matter and genetics. The contest will build
upon the vast body of changing and increasing knowledge described
by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models.
will be placed on knowledge of scientific fact, understanding of scientific principles
and the ability to think through scientific problems. The contest was designed
to test not only memory but the ability to critically think about science and scientific
processes and concepts. Such concepts include, but are not limited to: matter
and energy, equilibrium, force and motion, physical and chemical properties,
the relationship between organisms and the environment, the components of
our solar system, the composition of matter and genetics. The contest will build
upon the vast body of changing and increasing knowledge described
by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models.
Social Studies: Ryan Estes
This contest is designed to encourage students to expand
their knowledge of social studies, particularly in the areas
of history, government systems, economics, citizenship and
culture. Subject matter used for the test will be taken from
currently adopted social studies textbooks and identified
primary sources. Contest Format: Students will be given an
objective test containing approximately 40 questions.
Thirty minutes will be allotted for the testing period.
their knowledge of social studies, particularly in the areas
of history, government systems, economics, citizenship and
culture. Subject matter used for the test will be taken from
currently adopted social studies textbooks and identified
primary sources. Contest Format: Students will be given an
objective test containing approximately 40 questions.
Thirty minutes will be allotted for the testing period.
Spelling: Terri Harp
The spelling contest is designed to give students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
exposure to a wide variety of vocabulary words. It is not a contest of memorization.
For the most educational value, preparation for this contest should include
instruction in the rules of the English language, meanings and definitions,
and root words. In addition to learning to spell proficiently, contestants will
learn to write clearly and to capitalize words properly.
exposure to a wide variety of vocabulary words. It is not a contest of memorization.
For the most educational value, preparation for this contest should include
instruction in the rules of the English language, meanings and definitions,
and root words. In addition to learning to spell proficiently, contestants will
learn to write clearly and to capitalize words properly.