With 19 contest categories covering a wide range of disciplines, 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 contests are designed to motivate students to find new excitement in learning, achieve a higher mastery level, and receive recognition and awards for academic excellence. Several local homeschoolers have even won scholarships through their involvement with PSIA!

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Extraordinary Education's group membership allows us to send up to 3 students per grade/age level per event to the local District 12AAcompetition. Students who do well at the District level may go on to the State tournament.

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Please check out the contest descriptions on the PSIA website at www.psiaacademics.org then let us know ASAP if your student is interested in filling any slots on our team. There are a limited number of slots available for each event, and slots are filled on a first come basis.

NOTE: PSIA rules allow students to compete up to two grade levels above their current grade level but they can never compete below level. Also, a homeschooled student’s grade placement is determined according to their age on September 1st (the grade they would be in public school.) It can benefit an advanced student to compete with their age-mates in academic contests.

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PSIA EVENTS OFFERED

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LANGUAGE ARTS:

• Creative Writing (Grades 1-2)  
  Using a prompt of several pictures, students have 30 minutes to create an original story based on the pictures.

• Ready Writing (Grades 3-8)  
  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 (Grades 2-8)  
  As spelling words are pronouced (played on a CD recording) 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 (Grades 4-8)  
  Students use all elements of the dictionary as they learn practical techniques for extracting and applying resource information.

• Vocabulary (Grades 5-8)  
  SAT preparation skills, including word usage, reading comprehension, and analogies, are honed through this challenging multiple choice, 30-minute contest.

• Listening Skills (Grades 4-8)  
  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 (Grades 2-8)  
  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 (Grades 4-8)  
  Contestants find high-speed solutions to math problems in this exciting and challenging 10-minute contest in mental mathematics.

• Calculator Applications (Grades 6-8)  
  This 30-minute contest develops mathematical reasoning and knowledge and requires application of problem solving skills toward realistic problems.

• Maps, Graphs & Charts (Grades 4-8)  
  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 (Grades 6-8)  
  Earth, Life and Physical Science information are tested in this 30-minute, multiple choice contest, which usually consists of 50 test questions.

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FINE ARTS:

• Music Memory (Grades 3-8)  
  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 (Grades 4-5)  
  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 (Grades 6-8)  
  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.

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SPEECH EVENTS:

• Storytelling (Grades 1-3)  
  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 (Grades 4-8)  
  Students select, prepare and read a literary prose selection, with introduction, within a six-minute time limit.

• Impromptu Speaking (Grades 6-8)  
  Students are challenged to organize their thoughts on a topic for three minutes, then speak for five or fewer minutes without notes.

• Modern Oratory (Grades 6-8)  
  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 at www.psiaacademics.org

 

REGISTER FOR THE EE PSIA TEAM

Please register here after 9/1/2019 if you would like to be part of the EE PSIA Team for SPRING 2020.

PLEASE COMPLETE A SEPARATE FORM FOR EACH STUDENT IN YOUR FAMILY WHO WILL BE COMPETING.

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Go to www.psiaacademics.org for details about the various PSIA events and specific rules for each event.

Please check the current Conflict Pattern at the link below to help determine the events in which your child can/cannot compete: 
http://www.psiaacademics.org/wp-content/uploads/20-Conflict-Pattern.pdf

Please be sure to SCROLL DOWN for the complete form and don't forget to SUBMIT the form by clicking the button at the bottom when you are done.

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2020 Competition Fees

Competition fees cover state organization membership dues as well as local contest fees, awards, event materials, etc.

• $50/Family PSIA Team Fee

• $35/Event - Competition Fee

• $50 Volunteer DEPOSIT - This deposit will be REFUNDED to you after you fulfill your volunteer slots on contest day

 
Paid EE team members may also access old tests, samples and practice materials at the EE campus during regularly scheduled class days. Copies of available materials can be made by parents for a copy fee of $.05/per copy. 
Please Note: Study materials are only accessible by appointment. Please send an email to eeaton@extraed.org to schedule a time to access PSIA practice materials.