2008 Annual Spanish Fair

General Information
(Click here for a printable version of this page)

Pre-registration:
Each student and student group must be pre-registered for each event that they are entering. Please fill out a form for each individual competition and for each group competition. You will find forms for your levels posted on the UTPB website. All registration forms must be received no later than two weeks prior to the competition (April 30th for the Secondary and May 7th for the Elementary). All students who are attending must be registered. Only students whose classes are participating may attend. Registration will be conducted in the following manner:

1. Teachers should submit a class roster of all students who plan to attend by April 5th of May 7th depending on your level.
2. For each competition that students will be entering, teachers will fill out a separate entry sheet.
3. Teachers will be informed of approximate time of performances before the date of competition.
4. Upon arrival at UTPB, all groups must register in the lobby area of the Mesa Building. Schedules will be distributed out at that time.
5. 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.
6. Each student must wear a name tag with the name of the student, the teacher who brought them and the name of the school.  These name tags will be provided for you when you check in.

Contest Times:
Contests will be conducted from 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.  An awards ceremony will be held at 12:00 p.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 1:00 p.m.

Number of Participants:
Each campus may enter up to four students per level for each individual competition. The individual competitions are Spelling Bee, Prose Reading, Poetry Reading, Extemporaneous Reading, Art Contest and Writing Contest. In addition, each campus may enter up to two group competitions per level. The group competitions are Songs, Skits and Puppet Shows.

Costumes and Props:
Students may wear costumes, but space for changing clothes will be limited, so plan accordingly. A minimal amount of simple props may be used for the group competitions.

Time Limits:
Poetry/Prose Reading, Songs, Skits and Puppet Shows are limited to three minutes per entry.

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 or third grades.

4th-6th Grade: This category includes all students in the fourth, fifth or sixth grades.

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 two.

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 three

Descriptions of the Competitions

Spelling Bee:
The Spelling Bee is considered an individual event. Each school may enter up to four students per level in the spelling bee.  The spelling bee will be conducted in the following manner:

1. There will be three judges for the spelling bee and one person will serve as the proctor. The proctor will pronounce the words for the students to spell.
2. Each student will be assigned a number randomly and students will line up in numerical order. Students will step forward to spell as their number comes up.
3. The student will be given a word from the list provided (see registration packet or online for the list). He or she will pronounce and spell the word in a loud voice.
4. Judges will determine if the student has spelled the word correctly.
5. A bell will be rung when a student misspells a word. If a student misspells a word, he/she will take a seat.
6. There will be assistants to direct students where to wait for the next round of words.
7. After each student has had the opportunity to spell a word, the next round will begin and the remaining students will again step forward in numerical order06/24/2008ents are left.
8. When two students are left and one misspells a word, the other student will have to spell the word correctly. Then he/she will have to spell one more correctly.
9. If all of the words are exhausted at one level, the proctor will continue to the next level of words.
10. Judges’ decisions are final.

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 to the judges.
4. Judges will rate the student on accuracy, fluency, time for reading and overall impression.
5. Judges’ decisions are final.

Prose/Poetry Reading:
This category enables students to prepare a piece of prose or poetry to read for the judges. The prose/poetry reading will be conducted in the following manner:

1. Each student will prepare a piece of poetry or prose to read or recite prior to the contest.
2. Each student must bring 3 copies of the poetry to give to the judges. Please include name of student, teacher and school on each copy.
3. The student will state his/her name and the title of the selection.
4. The student will be given three minutes to read or recite the selection.
5. The judges will rate the student on expression, accuracy, poetic rhythm, overall impression, ending rhythms.
6. Judges’ decisions are final.

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.

Songs:
This is a group category that enables up to 30 students to participate. Students should prepare one song for the competition. The contest will be conducted in the following manner:

1. Students will prepare a song prior to the competition.
2. Students will be given up to three minutes to perform the song.
3. Students should enter and exit the performance area as quickly as possible.
4. Students may wear costumes.
5. Judging will be based on the following criteria: cultural relevance, sound and musical presentation, pronunciation and overall effect.
6. Judges decisions are final.

Art:
The art pieces will be turned in two weeks prior to the competition (April 30th for the Secondary and May 7th for the Elementary). The art pieces will be judged and winners will be announced on the competition day.
The piece for grades 1-6 will be judged on: texture, balance, shading, unity, color
The piece for grades 7-12 will be judged on: texture, balance, shading, unity, color, reflected light, space, emphasis, background, shadows

Writing:
The writing pieces will also be turned in at least two weeks prior to the competition (April 30th for the Secondary and May 7th 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.
            For more detailed criteria please refer to the Spanish Language Fair homepage

Awards:
 Students 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 30th for the Secondary and May 7th 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 30th for the Secondary and May 7th 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.

Web Master  Updated on 06/24/2008