UIL Academic Competitions: �Let Your Student SHINE!
UIL is an extracurricular academic program that allows high achieving students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a competitive setting! Teams are available for students in grades 6-8.
UIL at WFMS
UIL Facts
*Students choose up to three events to compete in
* IF selected for and event, students join the UIL Canvas course
*Students attend before/after school practices or practice at home.
*Attend and compete at the competition
UIL Facts continued…
- UIL helps to prepare students for future academic excellence in middle school, high school, and beyond.
- UIL competitions celebrate ACADEMIC excellence, and allow students to let their “smarts” shine!!
- UIL is FUN. Students build a community of learners with others on their team.
- Students feel honored to represent their school and pride in their success.
UIL Events
Check out these great events!!!
More information to follow this coming week.
Art History
This contest involves the study of paintings from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and paintings from selected Texas museums. As part of their study, students will demonstrate an understanding of art history and interpret ideas and moods in original artworks.
The students take a written test to identify the artist name and title of 15 painting as it appears on the official list.(this is out of 40 prints) They will also answer 30 question about art elements and art history. Time allotment is about 60 minutes.
Coach: TBD
Calculator Skills
This contest is designed to stimulate the development of mathematical and calculator skills.
The students work with calculator to solve mathematics problems.
They will take an 80 question test in 30 minutes. All problems that are attempted are scored.
Coach: TBD
Chess Puzzles
Contestants in a chess puzzle contest receive a paper-and-pencil test that includes a series of chess boards with pieces in particular positions. The contestant must then determine the fewest moves to checkmate given that particular board layout. Time is also a factor - contestants are scored based on the most puzzles solved in the least amount of time.
Coach: TBD
Dictionary Skills
Thorough knowledge of the dictionary is a way to increase a student’s ability to find the information that is needed for class work as well as everyday living. In preparation for this contest, students will develop skills to communicate effectively.
The students will take a 40 question test in 20 minutes. They are allowed to mark their dictionaries during practice to indicate the locations of alphabet breaks and other major areas.
Coach: TBD
Editorial Writing
The purpose of the contest is to stress writing and higher order thinking skills.
The students will be given 45 minutes to write on an editorial prompt given during the contest.
Coach: TBD
Impromptu Speaking
This contest allows students 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.
Each student draws three topics, chooses one, and has three minutes to prepare a speech. There is no minimum time limit, but they may not exceed 5 minutes. They may not use notes during the presentation.
Coach: TBD
Listening
This contest is designed to help students recognize the importance of effective listening skills It also provides a challenging format to test the improvement of their listening abilities. Through preparation for the contest, participants will listen to a variety of material and learn to evaluate and critically analyze a speaker’s message.
The students will listen to a script and the answer the questions in a 10 minutes. They make take notes during the reading and may use them on the test.
Coach: TBD
Maps, Graphs, and Charts
This 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 an atlas as a reference book to locate information, -making comparisons, estimating and approximating, using scale and interpreting grid systems, legends and keys.
The students will have 45 minutes to take the test.
Coach: TBD
Mathematics
Learning to complete math problems quickly is a valuable skill in all facets of life. This contest includes problems in: numeration systems, arithmetic operations involving whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, exponents, order of operations, probability, statistics, number theory, simple interest, measurements and conversions.
Students will take a 50 question multiple-choice test in 30 minutes.
Coach- TBD
Modern Oratory
In this contest, the contestant will select one of the topics, determine the critical issues in the topic, and acknowledge both pro and con points. 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 memorization and delivery.
The student will memorize the speech. It must be at least 3 minutes long, but not longer that 6 minutes.
*7th and 8th grade only
Coach: TBD
Number Sense
Individuals are called upon every day to use their ability to make quick mental calculations to make decisions. Concepts covered include: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, proportions, and use of mathematical 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, mark-overs and mark-outs are not permitted.
Coach: TBD
Oral Reading(Poetry/Prose)
Reading a text out loud serves four purposes: to analyze the text as a literary critic; to grow and to develop as a performer; to communicate a message to an audience; and to perform an artistic creation. All of these apply to the Oral Reading competition.
Students may use a single reading, a cutting from a longer selection or a combination of several selections.
The maximum time for each is 6 minute and this time should include a short introduction.
Poetry Coach: TBD
Prose Coach: TBD
Ready Writing
Ready Writing builds skills and helps students refine their writing abilities. In particular, this contest helps them learn to write a paper that is interesting and original.
Each student has 2 hours to write on a prompt given during the contest.
Coach: TBD
Science I & II
Emphasis for the Science contest will be placed on knowledge of scientific fact, understanding of scientific principles and the ability to think through scientific problems. The contests are designed to test not only memory but the ability to think critically about science and scientific processes and concepts.
Students will take a 35 question test in a 45 minute time period.
Coach: TBD
Social Studies
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.
Students will be given a test containing approximately 40 questions, which must be answered in 30 minutes
Coach: TBD
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Spelling
This contest is designed to give students exposure to a wide variety of vocabulary words. 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. Grades 6- 8: 110 words; tie breaker, 30 words.
Coach: TBD
Events- 6th Grade
Events- 7th Grade
Events- 8th Grade
For more information…
For more information about individual competitions, select the “events” tab.
(All study materials and resources will be provided to your student).
Email Mrs. Barricks or Mrs. Wilcox for more information
mgoddardwilcox@newcaneyisd.org