Lone Star Challenge Team Resources

Congratulations to the members of the 2012 Purefoy Elementary Lone Star Challenge Team!

- Ashley, Austin, Avery, Camryn, Chase, Elisabetta, Grace, Jacob, Lexi, Willow -

What is the Lone Star Challenge? 

The Lone Star Challenge is the elementary school equivalent of the Texas Academic Decathalon. It is designed to enhance elementary students in their mastery of the TAKS testing program and to encourage, recognize and reward academic teams and individual students through regional academic competition on an annual topic.

The competition involves two TAKS style tests in the content areas of Math/Science and Social Studies/Reading, an essay, and participation in the Super Quiz. Subject testing will occur the week of April 30th during the regular school day. The Super Quiz will take place the morning of Saturday, May 5th at Hunt Middle School in Frisco, team members will compete against other Frisco area elementary schools. Click here for details about our team.

What happens during the Super Quiz?

All students assemble in a gymnasium setting as one student from each school reports to the floor to be tested. Five questions are asked of this group of students. Then, a second wave of students participate, then a third, and so on until nine rounds are completed. As answers are given and scores change, the students get excited and cheer for all out academic effort. (From: http://www.txacadec.org/faq.html)

Preparing for Lone Star Challenge

We'll be working hard this spring getting ready for the Super Quiz by learning as much as we can on this year's topic. The team will begin after school practice on January 19th from 2:50-3:50 in the library. Practice will occur approximately every other Thursday from January-April, students will receive a practice calendar in advance.

When the team meets for practice after school we will be quizzing ourselves, taking practice essays, and REVIEWING material from the binder. We won't be spending time learning new information together, so it's important to learn as much as you can during your own time to prepare.

In addition to studying your binder, try the optional suggestions below to build your knowledge.

Lone Star Questions on Quizlet

[Use the free Flashcardlet App to access Quizlet on your smart device.]
Visitor's Guide to London: http://quizlet.com/_69mdk
History of London: http://quizlet.com/_69qxi
British Writers: http://quizlet.com/_69n6j

Student-created Review Questions:
Set 1: http://quizlet.com/_6ac9s
Set 2: http://quizlet.com/_6afk9

Additional Study Suggestions

Websites to Explore

BBC: History for Kids: Focus on the links in the British History and England sections.
Learn About London
London Museums and Galleries
London Trivia Quizzes: Test your knowledge of London with these trivia quizzes from About.com.
Project Britain: Facts and Information
Project Britain: London Olympics
Roman Numeral Practice
Shakespeare for Kids
United Kingdom Facts and Pictures

Books to Read
The Beasts of Clawstone Caste by Eva Ibbotson
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Boxcar Children: The Mystery of the Queen's Jewels by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Dodsworth in London by Tim Egan
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
Paddington books by Michael Bond
Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Story of Doctor Dolittle and The Voyages of Doctor DoLittle by Hugh Lofting
Or any other books set in London or the United Kingdom.

Movies to Watch
101 Dalmatians
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Mary Poppins
Narnia series
Oliver Twist
Peter Pan
Robin Hood
Or any other movies set in London or the United Kingdom.