Private Schools Interscholastic Association
Academic Contests for Private Schools and Homeschools
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, and receive recognition and awards for academic excellence.
Extraordinary Education has shared the costs and competed as a group for the past several years, but the cost to do this has gone up dramatically. As a result, we have chosen to have families register and compete as INDIVIDUALS this year. Please see the link below to find out how to join.
http://www.psiaacademics.org/info/how-to-join/
http://www.psiaacademics.org/info/fees/
http://www.psiaacademics.org/wp-content/uploads/13-MemberForm2.pdf
New families are encouraged to try out this exciting adventure. We are here to help with your questions!
A number of EE families and teachers have participated in PISA over the past 10 years, and a large amount of practice materials are available in the EE Library. Advice about selecting events in which to compete as well as help with contest preparation and completing forms is available by contacting the EE office at extraed@att.net.
PSIA practice materials are kept on site at the EE campus for parents to make copies as needed throughout the school year. We do ask for a donation to cover the cost of copies. Prep materials must remain on campus so that they are available to everyone. (Please note that we have very limited office staff. We cannot make copies for you or mail them.)
Materials may also be ordered from PSIA and other sources at the links below.
http://www.psiaacademics.org/wp-content/uploads/13-StudyOrderForm.pdf
http://www.psiaacademics.org/wp-content/uploads/13-TestPacketOrder.pdf
http://www.psiaacademics.org/resources/
Students who do well at the District level may go on to the State tournament. Please check out the contest descriptions below and on the PSIA website and get your registration forms in before the deadline of December 15th. PSIA will not accept late registrations!
PSIA EVENTS & CONTEST INFORMATION
LANGUAGE ARTS EVENTS:
- 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 EVENTS: - 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 EVENTS: - 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.
- Impromptu Speaking: Students are challenged to think quickly and communicate effectively. They organize their thoughts on a topic for three minutes, then speak for five or fewer minutes without notes.
For more details and rules about specific contests and events, please refer to the PSIA website:
http://www.psiaacademics.org/events/objective/
http://www.psiaacademics.org/events/subjective/
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. Two EE students have won scholarships through PSIA in the past few years due to their success in PSIA events.
- 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.
COMPETITION INFORMATION
- Please be aware that, unlike speech tournaments, 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/wp-content/uploads/13-Conflict-Pattern.pdf - Families who participate in a meet are expected to fill volunteer slots at the competition on the day of the tournament. Each school (or homeschool family) is required to provide one volunteer contest director, judge or grader for every 2.25 entries. Your family should plan to fill one slot for each 2.25 contests in which your own students compete. Volunteer slots may be filled by one or both parents, another family member, friend, neighbor or sometimes even a high school or college student. Your team will be penalized if you do not fill your assigned slots, so volunteers must be reliable.
CONTEST PREPARATION: - Extraordinary Education has invested many dollars in purchasing prior years' tests and other prep materials. Competing homeschool families in our area are welcome to make use of our study materials, but study materials may not leave the EE campus. Parents are welcome to make copies for a fee. Please note that copying is self-serve and teachers take precedence if there becomes a back-up.
- Please MAKE AN APPOINTMENT with the Director if help is needed with event selection, preparation or other PSIA questions. Please do not just “drop in” for help. Make your appointment online at the link below.
http://www.extraed.net/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.net
