PSIA Information Meeting & TEAM REGISTRATION

Private Schools Interscholastic Association
Academic Contests for  Private Schools and Homeschoolers

PSIA INFORMATION MEETING & TEAM REGISTRATION
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13TH

10:00-11:30 AM or 1:00-2:30 PM (repeat sessions - pick one)

Extraordinary Education Campus, 9522 Carraway, 77354

RSVP for the meeting at this link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHp2WjNUVnlsd0dWWTk0YmJNc1p1M2c6MA#gid=0
Sign up for the TEAM at this link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHFqZXV4d0lzdGRUYXlFV3c2d05TTWc6MA#gid=0
(This is a homeschool team. You do not have to attend Extraordinary Education classes to participate on the team.)

You will learn more about the various events, see sample tests, learn about resources we have to help with preparations, and maybe even hear a Prose Interpretation to give you an idea of what that event is like. We will also be planning for logistics for the tournament in March. Please plan to attend this important meeting if you wish to participate in PSIA with Extraordinary Education this year.

 

We will have SPELLING & VOCABULARY lists on hand for those who have indicated a desire to prepare for those events. We will also provide certain other practice tests and materials for those who have completed the EE Team sign-up form at the link shown below prior to the meeting.

Materials are also kept on site for parents to make copies as needed throughout the school year. (We have very limited office staff. We cannot make copies for you.) We do ask for a donation to our office supply fund to cover the cost of copies. Prep materials must remain on campus so that they are available to everyone. You can also purchase your own prep materials directly from PSIA. This will be discussed in detail at the meeting.

 

Please complete the RSVP form at the link shown above to let us know whether or not you are coming to the meeting! (Please do not RSVP through email.)

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PSIA Competition - Call for contestants!

Please complete the form at the link below to indicate your child's interest in joining the Extraordinary Education team:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHFqZXV4d0lzdGRUYXlFV3c2d05TTWc6MA#gid=0

 

Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA)

www.psiaacademics.org

 

With 19 contest categories covering a wide range of disciplines, Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA) is an exciting opportunity for students to engage in academic competition with their peers throughout the state of Texas. PSIA contests span all levels from Grade 1 to Grade 8 —and PSIA is open to homeschoolers, too!

 

PSIA programs are designed to support the basic academic curriculum. Contest preparation is easily implemented into daily studies, and participation in academic meets serves to enrich skills. PSIA academic competitive contests are designed to motivate students to:

• find new excitement in learning
• achieve a higher mastery level
• know the satisfaction of their best performance
• receive recognition /awards for academic excellence

Extraordinary Education's group membership allows us to send up to 3 students per grade/age level per event to the local District 12A competition. Students who do well at the District level may go on to the State tournament. It is time to register students for these competition slots!

 

District 12 A Tournament

• DATE: Saturday, March 26, 2010
• DISTRICT HOST SITE:  Woodlands Preparatory School (SPRING) 

Some students are already registered for our EE team, but we have room for lots more!

Please check out the contest descriptions on the PSIA website and let us know ASAP if your student is interested in filling any slots on our team. Use the link at the top of this message to register for a spot on the team.

 

For details and rules about specific contests and events, please refer to the PSIA website:

http://www.psiaacademics.org/index.html

 

PSIA EVENTS

 

LANGUAGE ARTS:

• Creative Writing: Using a prompt of several pictures, students have 30 minutes to create an original story based on the pictures.
• Ready Writing: Students are given a choice between two prompts. Each prompt defines the audience and provides or implies the purpose for writing. Time limits vary by grade level.
• Spelling: As spelling words are pronounced contestants may either write or print each word. Test words come from the current PSIA Spelling List (80%) and from outside sources (20%).
• Dictionary Skills: Students use all elements of the dictionary as they learn practical techniques for extracting and applying resource information.
• Vocabulary: SAT preparation skills, including word usage, reading comprehension, and analogies, are honed through this challenging multiple choice, 30-minute contest.
• Listening Skills: Contestants may take notes as they listen to the contest script on CD, and then use these notes as they answer objective test questions in 10 minutes.

MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE:

• Mathematics: In a multiple choice 30-minute math test students are challenged beyond their grade levels in a variety of general math questions including algebraic equations.
• Number Sense: Contestants find high-speed solutions to math problems in this exciting and challenging 10-minute contest in mental mathematics.
• Calculator Applications: This 30-minute contest develops mathematical reasoning and knowledge and requires application of problem solving skills toward realistic problems.
• Maps, Graphs & Charts: Students are challenged to obtain information from visual sources. Tests include maps, graphs & charts needed to answer multiple choice questions derived from the 2003 or newer editions of the Nystrom Desk Atlas.
• Science: Earth, Life and Physical Science information are tested in this 30-minute, multiple choice contest, which usually consists of 50 test questions.

FINE ARTS:

• Music Memory: Students identify composers and selections from some of the world’s best known classics. Contestants write answers as they hear 15-second segments of the music and also take a 20-item test over information found in the current PSIA Music Memory Student Handbook.
• Art Memory: Students are challenged to identify the artist and the work and answer questions about the art and the artists found in the current Art Smart Bulletin (paintings are from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D. C. and museum in Texas.)
• On-Site Drawing: Using a display still life model consisting of from 4 to 7 objects, contestants produce a rendering on regular drawing paper using any drawing media. Contestants have 45 minutes at the contest site to produce their work of art.

SPEECH EVENTS:

• Storytelling: Contestants hear a story that they retell before an audience. Contestants will have approximately 6 minutes to retell the story in their own words.
• Poetry Interpretation: Students select, prepare and read a literary poetry selection, with introduction, within a six-minute time limit.
• Impromptu Speaking: Students are challenged to organize their thoughts on a topic for three minutes, then speak for five or fewer minutes without notes.
• Modern Oratory: A challenge in writing and speaking, students prepare a short speech to examine the pros and cons of an issue (choice of 5) and defend their points of view. Contestants take a convincing stand on only one side of the issue.

For more details and rules about specific contests and events, please refer to the PSIA website:

http://www.psiaacademics.org/index.html

 

Registration Information:

• Families who are currently enrolled in EE classes are considered "members" and may register to participate in any of the PSIA events (appropriate for their grade level) for a fee of $10 per student per event. 
• Non-member families will need to join as an Affiliate Family ($25/sem per family) and may then register at $10 per student per event.
• Registrations (and fees) must be received in the EE office at least 4 weeks prior to the contest date. There is a limit, however, to the number of students we can enter. We only get THREE slots per age/grade level in each contest.
• Students are allowed to compete UP TO TWO GRADE LEVELS ABOVE their current grade level. Students may NOT compete below their current grade level. Homeschooled students' grade placement is determined according to their age on September 1st (the grade they would be in public school.) 
• We can enter up to 3 students per grade level per event. Some events have combined grades, and we may only enter 3 students in those grades combined. If we have more than 3 students in a level who wish to compete it will be necessary to have a school level run-off competition.
• Students may only compete in non-conflicting events. There are special rules for double-entry that only apply to specific events. Please refer to the PSIA Conflict Pattern Schedule for more information. http://www.psiaacademics.org/pdfs/misc/psia-conflict.pdf
• Families who participate are expected to fill volunteer slots at the competition on the day of the tournament. Our group is required to provide one volunteer judge or grader for every 2.5 entries. Your family should plan to fill one slot for each 2.5 contests in which your own students compete. Volunteer slots may be filled by either or both parents, another family member, friend, neighbor or even a high school or college student. Our team will be penalized if we do not fill our assigned slots, so volunteers must be reliable.

Contest Preparation:

• Paid contestants are welcome to make use of our study materials that we have available. Study materials may not leave the EE campus, but parents are welcome to make copies for a small copy fee. We have invested many dollars in purchasing prior years' tests and other materials. We are thrilled to share them with our contestants! Parents will need to MAKE AN APPOINTMENT with the Director if they plan to come make copies or view PSIA materials. Make your appointment online by going to the EE website. Look in the Resources section of the site for Office Appointments.
• PSIA Study Groups may be formed and may meet in homes or at EE on a space available basis for no charge. Parents of students in the contest will be expected to volunteer as Study Group leaders.

Elise Eaton
Director, Extraordinary Education
www.extraed.org

 

FAQs

 

Q: Why should my child participate in contests like these?

A: Testing, contests and competitions aren't for everyone. But they can benefit most kids in one way or another.

• Some students are more highly motivated to reach their full potential through competitions rather than through individual, classroom or textbook studies. 
• Students and parents are given the opportunity to see how the student compares to others and whether their current plan of study is achieving their goals.
• Students can earn recognition for their abilities and efforts as well as possible outside awards, scholarships and other opportunities.
• Testing situations like these allow students to prepare for more crucial tests like those they must take prior to college entrance. Experience can lead to better performance on these tests - which can lead to greater college admissions opportunities and possible scholarship offers.
• Students often learn things through preparation for contests that they never would have learned in their regular curriculum.

Q: Can't individual homeschool families participate in PSIA?

A: Yes and no.

• Individual homeschools are allowed to compete in PSIA, however, registration of new "schools" closes in December. Individual families must register by the deadline or wait until the next year to compete if they miss the deadline. Families who are not registered individually may compete with homeschool co-ops or groups like Extraordinary Education, Austin Area Homeschoolers, etc.
• It is not as cost effective to compete as an individual family unless you have several children and they compete in several events. 
• Our family has participated both ways, and it was far more fun on competition day to be part of a group than an individual family.

--  Elise Eaton Director, Extraordinary Education www.extraed.net