University Interscholastic League (U.I.L.)
Academic Contests
Looking for a challenge?
Try training for UIL Academic Contests!
Practices begin late January
Any student interested in trying out for a UIL team will register to attend training
sessions beginning in February. Please check the descriptions for the day and time of the
training.
The coach will schedule team tryouts in late February. During tryouts, students will take
a test similar to the one taken in real competition. Students with the highest scores will
be chosen to chosen to represent Cypress Grove in UIL competitions. Teams consist of 3
competing members and an alternate. We will be attending at least one if not two U.I.L.
Meets this spring. Bryan I.S.D. is hosting the first UIL Meet. This meet will be a District
Meet on Saturday, April, 23rd.
Please note: You may train for more than one team. If you would like to try out for a
team but cannot attend practices, it is your responsibility to contact the coach of that
contest so that you can find out when the tryout is scheduled. ***please note that in
parenthesis are the grade levels that the event is offered*** ***students need to watch
announcements for updates***
For more information, contact Nancy Boswell, Enrichment Specialist at
nboswell@csisd.org. We look forward to seeing you at practice!
Contest Descriptions
Calculator Applications (6,7,8)
Number Sense (5,6,7,8)
General Mathematics (5,6,7,8)
Mrs. Nancy Boswell
Room 308
Tuesday, 7:45 – 8:12 a.m.
On going
These contests began to prepare for UIL
competitions back in the early fall. Students
can join at this time, but will have to work hard
to catch up.
Dictionary Skills (5,6,7,8)
Mrs. Jeanie Cochrane
Room 222
Thursday, 3:45 - 4:30 p.m.
Beginning February 11th
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.
The Dictionary Skills contest requires students to use
all elements of a dictionary and to learn practical
techniques for extracting and applying information.
Ready Writing (5,6,7,8)
Mrs. Erin Pfefferkorn
Room 505
Every Wednesday, 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Beginning February 10th
This event is a challenge for the talented
writer. Students are given a choice between
two prompts. Each prompt defines the
audience and provides the purpose for
writing. The students learn to clearly and
correctly write a paper that is interesting and
original.
Listening (5,6,7,8)
Mrs. Amy Mason
Room 306
Thursday, 3:50 – 4:20 p.m.
Beginning February 4th
This contest is designed to help students
recognize the importance of effective
listening skills and to identify problems
they may have in listening effectively. It
also provides a challenging format to test
the improvement of their listening abilities.
Maps, Charts, & Graphs
Mrs. Amy Wynn
Room 503
Oral Reading
Monday, 3:45 Science
– 4:30 (6,7,8)
Mrs.Whitney
Jan Fechhelm
Ms.
Chenault
Room
Room
211
These contests began to prepare for UIL
Thursday,
3:45
– 4:30
7:45
– 8:12
a.m.
competitions back in the Thursday,
early
fall. Students
Oral Reading (5,6,7,8)
Mr. Joshua Zehnder
Room 220
Friday, 3:50 – 4:20 p.m.
Beginning January 29th
February
4th
will not be able to join the Beginning
practice sessions
at this
th
January 29 – practice session time.
In this event, the student selects, prepares and reads
February 5th – practice session
Emphasis
for the science
a literary
selection.
Studentscontest
explorewill
andbeare
February 12th – TRYOUTS
placed on
of scientific
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evaluated
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Every Friday after that until the
understanding
of
scientific
principles,
and thethe
appropriateness of the selection, understanding
competition: PREPARATION FOR THE
ability control
to thinkofthrough
scientific problems.
material,
the presentation,
and overall
MEET
The
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about science and science concepts.
In this event, the student selects, prepares
and reads a literary selection. Students
Maps, Charts, and Graphs (5,6,7,8)
explore and are evaluated on aspects of
Ms. Sarah Campbell
their performance such as appropriateness
Room 511
of the selection, understanding the material,
Wednesday, 3:50 – 4:30 p.m.
control of the presentation, and overall
Beginning February 3rd
effectiveness. Students need to come to one
of these sessions to try out. Bring a poem
Learn to quickly find needed information in
to read aloud. Once chosen to be part of the
an Atlas to be part of the Maps, Charts, and
team, additional practice may be offered.
Graphs UIL team!
Spelling (5,6,7,8)
Mrs. Becky Simpson
Room 223
Thursday, 3:50 - 4:30 p.m.
Beginning February 4th
The spelling contest is designed to expose
students to a wide variety of vocabulary words.
In addition to learning to spell proficiently,
contestants will learn to write clearly and to
properly capitalize words.
Social Studies (5,6,7,8)
Mrs. Joyce Green
Room 515
Monday, 3:50 – 4:20 p.m.
Beginning February 8th
Any student interested in being on the
Social Studies Team will have to take
a qualifying test. The top 4 students
in each grade level will make-up the
team – three students and one
alternate student.
Editorial Writing (6,7,8)
Mrs. Courtney Smith
Room: office
to be announced
Texas teachers have always looked for
ways to improve their students’ writing
skills. The editorial writing contest will
build those skills as well as refine the
students’ ability to prepare a wellbalanced persuasive paper.
Impromptu Speaking (6,7,8)
Mr. Joseph Williams
Room 206
Tuesday, 7:45 to 8:12 a.m.
Beginning in February 2nd
Impromptu Speaking provides
opportunities for 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.
Chess Puzzle (5,6,7,8)
Mr. Chris May
507
Wednesday, 3:50-4:30 p.m.
Feb. 10, Feb. 24, March 2, March 23,
April 13, and April 20
Beginning February 10th
The benefits of chess are well documented
for players of all ages. Chess teaches
problem solving, homes concentration,
and encourages analytical and strategic
thinking. Chess puzzle solving introduces
students to the study of chess in a format
than can be easily implemented in UIL
Meets
Modern Oratory (6,7,8)
To be announced
In Modern Oratory, contests will select
one of the topics, determine the critical
issues in the topic, and acknowledge both
pro and con points citing support
discovered in their research. Students will
choose a side to defend and support that
side with additional evidence.