Academic UIL

Coach:  Mr. Roark

Practice Time:  Friday afternoons, Rm 12

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.

Students may use any silent, hand-held calculator that does not require auxiliary electric power. The calculator data and program memory should be cleared prior to the contest; students may not use pre-recorded programs during the contest. (http://www.uiltexas.org/aplus/events/aplus-calculator-applications)

Coach:  Mr. VanNoy

Practice Times:  To be determined, Rm 177

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. The subject matter of all tests is taken from the Merriam Webster's Intermediate Dictionary, 2004 and subsequent editions. Contestants may use other dictionaries in the contest, but the contest subject matter will be found in Webster's Intermediate.

Each 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.

Coach:  Mrs. Wakefield

Practice Time:  Friday Afternoons, Room 6

The listening contest is designed to help students in grades 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.

Contestants will listen to a script ranging from seven to ten minutes in length, take notes as needed, and use their notes to answer 25 multiple choice, true/false and short answer test questions. A variety of subject matter will be used for the listening tests.

Coach:  Mr. Lovette

Practice Times:  To be determined, Rm 123

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.

Students will be given an objective test containing approximately 75 multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions which must be answered in 45 minutes.

Coach:  Mr. Eckber

Practice Time:  To be determined, Rm 124

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.

The contest, designed for students in grade 6, 7 and 8, consists of 50 multiple choice problems.

Coach:  Mr. Eckber

Practice Time:  To be determined, Rm 124

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.

Students will be given a 10-minute, fill-in-the-blank test which they must complete without doing calculations on paper or on a calculator. Erasures and mark-outs are not permitted.

Express Yourself - Read!

Coach:  Mrs. Susie Dean

Practice Time: To be determined, Room 162

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 below for frequently asked questions about oral reading.

Students in sixth grade read a selection of poetry. Each selection may be one poem, a cutting of a poem, or a combination of poems. The same selection may be read in all rounds, but different selections are permissible. Selections must be published although the poet may be unknown or anonymous.

Students in grades 7 and 8 read selections of prose or poetry according to the following schedule:

• 201 - 12 - poetry

Each may be a single reading, a cutting from a longer selection, or a combination of several selections. The same selection may be read in all rounds, but different selections are permissible. Selections must be published although the author may be unknown or anonymous. Prose readings may include sketches, fables, tales, science fiction, fantasy, mysteries and the like. The maximum time for each presentation is six minutes. The selection may be a cutting from a short story or novel of may be nonfiction.

Coach: Ms. Van Aken

Practice Time: To be determined, Rm 118

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 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.

A standard dictionary or thesaurus may be used during the contest.

Contestants are given a choice between two prompts which defines the audience, and provides the purpose for writing. Students should be encouraged to analyze the prompts for the purpose of writing, the format, the audience and the point of view. The format may be, for example, a letter, an article for the newspaper or an essay for the principal. Various writing strategies may be stated or implied in the prompt. Some of these include:

1. description to inform -- describe the happening or person/object from imagination or memory;
2. narration -- write a story;
3. persuasion -- describe and argue just one side of an issue; describe both sides of an issue then argue only one side; write an editorial; write a letter to persuade, etc.

There is no minimum or maximum number of words the contestants must write.

Sample Writing Prompts

Instructions: Select only one of the topics which follow. Write the topic you have chosen at the top of your paper. Remember not to use your name or any reference to your school in your composition.

Sixth Grade

• Competition: Students enjoy competing in sports and other activities, but sometimes winning seems to be the only important thing. Your teacher has asked you to write a paper explaining how you benefit from competition when you don't win.
• Recycling: As Americans became better and better about recycling glass, metals, plastics and paper, new ways are being developed to create products from these recycled materials. Write a paper explaining how recycled material is being used now and how it might be used in the future.
• Learning that can't be tested: Although more emphasis is being placed on standardized test scores such as TAKS, many of the important things students learn by going to school can't be measured on such tests. Write a paper describing the important lessons or values you have learned in school or through school activities that can't be tested with pencil and paper.
• Time capsule: The social studies classes at your school are creating a time capsule, and each class must decide what they think should be included. Choose items that would help someone opening the time capsule 50 years from now to understand how young people live in your community today. Write a report for your class explaining what you think should be included and why.
• TV Role Models: Your class is discussing role models and how special people influence our daily lives. Television shows often have characters that provide people with positive role models. Think about one of your favorite television characters and prepare a paper for your class on how that character has had a positive influence on you.
• New School: Your school counselor has set up a group discussion session for new students in your school. The counselor will select a few students already attending your school to help familiarize the new students with the school. Write a letter to the counselor explaining what you would like to say about your school to these new students.

Seventh and Eighth Grades

• American Forces Abroad: In recent years, American military forces have served in trouble spots on several continents. Some people believe that U.S. forces should be used only when a threat to our national security exists. Others argue that as a world power, we have a responsibility to respond to nations in need. Write a letter to the President explaining when you believe the use of U.S. forces in foreign countries is appropriate.
• Crime Reduction: While some types of crime are decreasing in America, the number of crimes committed by teenagers continues to grow. Experts have different opinions about the most effective ways to treat or punish youthful offenders. Write a paper explaining what approaches you think would work best to reduce crime by teenagers.
• Character: Someone once observed, "Character is what you do when you think no one is watching." Write an essay expressing your opinion about what this quotation means.
• Leadership: Many political campaigns focus on presenting their candidate as "the most qualified leader" in a race, and therefore the person who should be elected. Write a paper explaining what specific qualities you think makes a person a truly effective leader.
• School Facilities: School facilities are built at great expense to the taxpayers, yet they sit vacant during summer vacation. Your school board has asked students to provide input on the possibility of using school facilities during the summer. Write an essay from the students' point of view for the school board concerning this issue.
• Goodwill Project: Your class has decided to adopt a project for the year. Some of the students want to conduct a local food drive, while others want to adopt a specific family to assist. Decide which of the two projects you want the class to choose. Write a paper supporting your choice.

Coach:  Ms. Davis

Practice Time: To be determined, Rm 131

Science 1 and Science 2 are for 7th and 8th grade students only 

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.

Each test will consist of approximately 35 multiple choice questions which will be taken from current state-adopted science textbooks and the curriculum.

Coach:  Mr. Adams

Practice:  To be determined

General Contest Description

• Two divisions: grades 5/6, grades 7/8

• 40 questions

• 30 minutes

• Test topics defined by a study outline, to be updated yearly (see links below)

• Based on the TEKS for social studies

• Test content taken from state adopted text books and identified primary sources

• Types of questions similar to those found on TAKS tests Study Outlines (including primary sources)

Scoring

• 0 points for skipped or unanswered questions

• +3 for correct answers

• -2 for incorrect answers

This contest is designed to encourage students to expand theirknowledge of social studies, particularly in the areas of history, governmentsystems, economics, citizenship and culture. Students will be given an objectivetest containing approximately 40 questions which must be answered in 30minutes. The contest consists of two divisions, one for grades 5 and 6 and

one for grades 7 and 8.

Coach: Mrs. Denzlinger

Practice Time:  To be determined, Rm 176

The spelling contest is designed to give students in grades 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.

Students will write down words given by the pronouncer on their paper at a rate of approximately five words per minute.
(A) Grade 6: 80 words; tiebreaker, 30 words.
(B) Grades 7 and 8: 110 words; tiebreaker, 40 words.
The tiebreaker is given to all contestants immediately following the initial test.

Tests will be fully compatible with the Merriam-Webster's Intermediate Dictionary 2004 and subsequent editions.