§ Ladies: Dress, skirt, suit, or nice pants and blouse. Watch length of skirt and neckline. Hair up. Nails either completely natural or painted neutrally (i.e. no chipped polish or off the wall colors). No flip-flops.
§ We usually run late, so plan to arrive home around 5
Background info and curriculum
Academic Decathlon is a nationally recognized team competion in which students match their intellects with students from other schools. Each year, United States Academic Decathlon establishes a theme for the year's studies. The curricular theme for 2007–2008 will be The American Civil War.
SUPER QUIZ: This portion of the competition will focus on the causes leading up to the Civil War, the major battles and chronology of the war itself, and reconstruction. Additional study will include analysis of the people and events surrounding the war.
LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE: The language and literature curriculum will include critical reading, one novel and several speeches and poems. The featured novel will be The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.
ART: Curriculum is centered around multi-cultural American art of the 19th century. Pieces come from a variety of genres, including paintings, sculpture, pottery, and architecture.
MUSIC: The music curriculum will focus on 19th century American music. The Music Resource Guide will cover such topics as African-American spirituals, military marches, and popular songs from the homefront. The curriculum will include a companion CD, featuring eighteen listening selections.
SCIENCE: The science section will provide students with an understanding of the prevalent medical practices during the war, as well as a case study of infectious diseases.
ECONOMICS: The economics curriculum will focus on fundamentals of economics, including general topics in macro- and microeconomics and international trade and global economic development. The economics curriculum will also include a thematic section focused on the 19th century.
MATH: The math curriculum will cover topics in the fields of general math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and differential calculus.
SPEECH: Students will prepare a three and one-half to four minute speech on topics of their choice. In addition, students will deliver a one and one-half to two minute impromptu speech.
INTERVIEW: Students will be interviewed by a panel of three judges. Professional demeanor and attire is expected.
ESSAY: Students are given 50 minutes to choose from three curricular prompts and write a coherent, organized essay observing the conventions of standard written English.
Thanks to all of our fabulous team members and parents. We look forward to a stellar year! Please contact Mrs. Ingraham if you are interested in competing, or if you are a parent interested in volunteering to judge competitions, host study sessions, or assemble goody bags or provide snacks for the kids on competition days. Your support is greatly appreciated!
