10 Organizing Quiz Team Competitions
C H A P T E R
10
Organizing Quiz Team Competitions by Shirley Jackson
Te a c h e r a n d C h a i r o f t h e E n g l i s h D e p a r t m e n t
H u n t s v i l l e H i g h S c h o o l , H u n t s v i l l e , Te x a s
O B J E C T I V E S
Though quiz team competitions are often viewed as the pursuit of trivial knowledge, they encourage students to achieve academic excellence and increase their awareness of the world around them. Organize a quiz team competition to:
1.
test students’ accumulation and retention of knowledge in a real life situation.1
2.
encourage independent study and academic excellence.
3.
recognize and appreciate non-traditional venues for competition.
4.
build self-esteem and school pride.
5.
empower students with a new understanding of what has been, what is now, and what can be.2
6.
provide opportunities for faculty, students, parents and the community to work together.
M E T H O D S
Depending on the format of your event, the following steps may or may not be sequential:
1.
Decide which department will take leadership in sponsoring the activities. 2.
Get the support/approval of your administration.
3.
Choose a format.
4.
Delegate responsibilities and tasks.
5.
Select contestants.
6.
Choose the subject matter.
7.
Decide event specifics: when, where, and how long?
1. The new National Standards for Civics and Government emphasize an active approach to the study of civics and government and are applicable to quiz team competitions. For example, the new standards state that before a citizen can fulfill the continuance of American democracy, he or she must know the purposes and limitations of the Constitution as it was originally drafted. Quiz team questions about the Constitution can facilitate this understanding. See the new standards, Section III.
2. Students who study the past and present role of democratic law in American society are more likely to be able to analyze laws for future use. For example, by thoroughly
10
Organizing Quiz Team Competitions by Shirley Jackson
Te a c h e r a n d C h a i r o f t h e E n g l i s h D e p a r t m e n t
H u n t s v i l l e H i g h S c h o o l , H u n t s v i l l e , Te x a s
O B J E C T I V E S
Though quiz team competitions are often viewed as the pursuit of trivial knowledge, they encourage students to achieve academic excellence and increase their awareness of the world around them. Organize a quiz team competition to:
1.
test students’ accumulation and retention of knowledge in a real life situation.1
2.
encourage independent study and academic excellence.
3.
recognize and appreciate non-traditional venues for competition.
4.
build self-esteem and school pride.
5.
empower students with a new understanding of what has been, what is now, and what can be.2
6.
provide opportunities for faculty, students, parents and the community to work together.
M E T H O D S
Depending on the format of your event, the following steps may or may not be sequential:
1.
Decide which department will take leadership in sponsoring the activities. 2.
Get the support/approval of your administration.
3.
Choose a format.
4.
Delegate responsibilities and tasks.
5.
Select contestants.
6.
Choose the subject matter.
7.
Decide event specifics: when, where, and how long?
1. The new National Standards for Civics and Government emphasize an active approach to the study of civics and government and are applicable to quiz team competitions. For example, the new standards state that before a citizen can fulfill the continuance of American democracy, he or she must know the purposes and limitations of the Constitution as it was originally drafted. Quiz team questions about the Constitution can facilitate this understanding. See the new standards, Section III.
2. Students who study the past and present role of democratic law in American society are more likely to be able to analyze laws for future use. For example, by thoroughly