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General Information

Pre-Registration:

Each student and student group must be pre-registered for each event that they are entering. Please fill out the registration form with the appropriate information. Note: Each student will be limited to 2 events each and each class is allowed up to 4 students in each category, except for the puppet show which is limited to 2 groups per class. If you have concerns regarding the appropriate level for your student, please look under the levels section n of this packet. All students who are attending must be registered. Only students whose classes are participating may attend. All registration forms must be received no later than two weeks before the scheduled events (April 29th for secondary and May 6h for elementary).

Registration will be conducted in the following manner:

  1. Teachers should submit a class roster of all students who plan to attend by April 29th or May 6th (depending on your level.)
  2. Teachers will be informed of approximate times of performances before the date of the competition. 
  3. Upon arrival at UTPB, all groups must register in the lobby area of the Mesa Building. Schedules will be distributed out at that time. 
  4. An updated student roster should be submitted to the registration table upon arrival at UTPB. This will help us find students in case of emergency. If possible, it is suggested that each teacher bring a cellular phone and that the phone number be left at the registration table, so people can be reached in the case of an emergency.
  5. Each student must wear a name tag with the name of the student, the teacher who brought them and the name of their school. These tags will be provided for you when you check in.

Contest Time:

Contests will be conducted from 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. An awards ceremony will be held at 12:00p.m., after the contests have been completed. Students and teachers will be allowed to eat their lunches at this time. The ceremony will end at approximately 1:00p.m.

Number of participants:

Each class may enter up to FOUR students per event (except for puppet show which is TWO). Each student is allowed up to TWO events. The individual competitions are vocabulary, extemporaneous reading, humorous stories, writing and crafts. The group competition is a puppet show.

Costumes and Props:

Students may wear costumes, but space for clothes will be limited, so plan accordingly. A minimal amount of simple props may be used for the group competition.

Levels:

There will be five levels of Spanish proficiency designated for each of the competitions. The student(s)’ teacher will designate the level of language proficiency in Spanish that will be submitted in the registration form. In order to assist the teacher, the following descriptions are provided:

  • 1st-3rd Grade: This category includes all students in the first, second and third grade.
  • 4th-6th Grade: This category includes all students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade.
  • 7th-12th Grades, Level I: A beginning student who is not proficient in the language. Generally, a Spanish I or Spanish II student would be classified as Level I.
  • 7th-12th Grade, Level II: An intermediate who is somewhat proficient in the language and who has studied the language for up to three years. Generally, a strong student in Spanish II or a Spanish III student would be classified as Level II.
  • 7th-12th Grade, Level III: An advanced student who exhibits proficiency in the language and who has studied the language for three or more years. Generally, a strong student in Spanish III or a Spanish IV student would be classified as Level III.

Descriptions of the Competitions

Extemporaneous Reading:

This is considered an individual event. Extemporaneous Reading will be conducted in the following manner:

  1. Each student will be given a selection of prose to read. He/She will be given three minutes to read the prose silently.
  2. After reading the piece silently, the student will be asked to step forward, state his/her name and read the selection aloud for the judges.
  3. The student will have three minutes to read the selection for the judges.
  4. Judges will rate the student on accuracy, fluency, time for reading and overall impression.
  5. Judges’ decisions are final.

Vocabulary Quiz:

Students will complete a written test, where they will be tested on their knowledge of the vocabulary of the foreign language.

There will be two parts to the quiz:

  1. Students will be provided with words or expressions in the target language for which they must provide a correct English equivalent, and with English vocabulary for which the foreign language equivalent must be provided.
  2. Students will complete a short dictation read by the tester (in case of Latin, there will be a short Latin to English translation passage).

Vocabulary will be drawn from a basic vocabulary lists. We realize that not all students will be familiar with the exact same vocabulary. Students are encouraged to bring their own pens/pencils.

Puppet Shows and Skits:

This is a group category that enables up to 10 students to present a skit or puppet show. A puppet show theatre will be provided, so it will not be necessary to bring your own. The contest will be conducted in the following manner:

  1. Students will prepare a skit or puppet show of up to five minutes in length.
  2. Students may wear costumes.
  3. Students will be given two minutes to “set the stage” with simple props.
  4. A student or teacher from the school represented will announce the title of the group’s presentation.
  5. Students will be given five minutes for the presentation.
  6. Props should be promptly removed.
  7. Students will be judged on the following: plot, characterization, theme, culture, pronunciation, grammar, creativity, and overall style.
  8. Judges decisions are final.

Humorous Stories:

  1. Students will perform individually. The story idea may be taken from another source, but must be told be the student in his/her own words and within his/her own range of language ability. Teachers may help with grammatical corrections, vocabulary, and expression.
  2. The story is not to be read nor are notes to be used.
  3. The story should be between 2-3 minutes in length. (Penalty may be assessed if much longer).
  4. Students will be judged on pronunciation and projection, ability to put over humor (punch lines) effectively, conformity to time limit, and general communication effectiveness. There will be no questions from the judges.

SUGGESTIONS:

Textbooks and readers are replete with humorous stories that students can simplify and retell in their own words. “Selecciones del reader’s digest” is another good source. Some humorous stories commonly told in English can even be adapted to Spanish.

Crafts:

Students will submit an original craft (other than posters), which might take various forms: hand-made craftwork, models, original works of art, etc. PLEASE NOTE: due to health concerns and University regulations, food items may not be submitted as crafts. Attractiveness, originality, culture appropriateness, and obvious effort are the criteria for judging.

Each craft must have a 3x5 card attached with the following information: name of student(s), school, category (crafts), title of craft, name of teacher. Crafts must not exceed an area 2 feet by 3 feet, since space will be limited. Crafts that have won prizes in previous years may not be re-submitted. The craft pieces will be turned in two weeks prior to the competition (April 29th for the Secondary and May 6th for the Elementary). The craft pieces will be judged and winners will be announced on the competition day.

  1. The piece for grades 1-6 will be judged on: texture, balance, shading, unity, color
  2. The piece for grades 7-12 will be judged on: texture, balance, shading, unity, color, reflected light, space, emphasis, background, shadows

Writing:

The writing topic/prompt is "Why should I go to college?".  The writing pieces will be turned in no later than two weeks prior to the competition (April 29th for the Secondary and May 6th for the Elementary). The writing pieces will be judged and announced on the competition day.

  • The pieces will be judged on spelling, grammar, flow, etc.

Awards:

Awards will be given at an award ceremony following the contests. First, second and third prizes will be awarded in each category. All students will receive a certificate of participation.

Logistics

Busses:

All busses will be designated to a particular parking area. Please indicate in the registration form that you will be arriving in a school bus and we will get that information for you.

Lunch:

Students may bring lunches with them or box lunches may be purchased on site from our catering service for a price of $6.00. If ordering lunches, please send a lunch count with a P.O. number no later than two weeks prior to the competition (April 29th for the Secondary and May 6th for the Elementary). You may also choose to pay cash or check on the day of the event. Please make check payable to: Felix Catering Services.

T-Shirts:

T-Shirts can be purchased at the price of $6.00. If ordering t-shirts, please send a count of the number and sizes by two weeks prior to the competition (April 29th for the Secondary and May 6th for the Elementary).

Conduct and Supervision:

Appropriate conduct should be followed at all times. Students will follow the public school code of conduct required in their school districts. We will have a large number of students on campus, so we ask your help in supervising all of your students at all times.

The following rules apply:

  1. All students must be accompanied by a sponsor at all times.
  2. All students must be registered in the main lobby upon arrival.
  3. Students conducting themselves inappropriately will be asked to leave the campus.