Iskra Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Hi everyone, I would like to have a complete list of all the famous organizations that organize competitions that are available to elementary grades children and that allow homeschoolers to participate. I'm interested in all areas: math, writing, science, art, history, geography, latin, whatever! What have your kids participated in and what are they planning on participating in? I am trying to research this topic in depth, so whether you have a book suggestion that lists them all, or personal experience with any particular one, or hear-say etc, I want to hear it all! I don't know if location matters, but we are in the Cleveland area of Ohio. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceyshoe Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Some academic competitions are team-based and other are individual competitions. Are you looking for team, individual, or all of the above? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 So far this year my DD (age 7) has done Mathnasium Trimathlon (free, done through local Mathnasium centers) American Math Challenge (free, done online) and will be doing Spelling Bee (done through a local homeschool group-$25) Continental Math League (individual or team registration-$15 for an individual) Continental Language Arts League (individual or team registration-$15 for an individual) World Education Games (free, online) Exploratory Latin Exam ( individual, $20 fee) National Mythology Exam (individual. $20 fee) Science fair (through a local homeschool group, $10) Possibly more if she has the option to do so. Obviously, DD enjoys competitions and taking exams. She's the kid who saw "Akeelah and the Bee" as a preschooler and said "I'm going to do that!". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iskra Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Wow, that's a great list thank you! My oldest one is 7 too, so I will definitely look into all of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iskra Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Some academic competitions are team-based and other are individual competitions. Are you looking for team, individual, or all of the above? all of the above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iskra Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Oh and Dmmmetler, I was wondering how did you find out about all those competitions? I don't seem to be around people where competions get discussed much. If you would like to share how you stay informed about competitions I would greatly appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Home School Math Contests -- some of the listed aren't actually contests A to Z Homeschooling's Contests for Kids list HSLDA Homeschool Contests Hope these help somewhat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Mostly here or through online boards locally. Some I've been actively working to get local kids involved in so my DD isn't the only one doing them, like Continental Math League, NME, and ELE. I also coordinate science fair :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Ones we've participated in: First Lego League Math Olympiad Math Is Cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in Richmond Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 My children also enjoyed competitions, and over the years I got some good ideas out of this book for grades K to 6 & its companion guide for grades 7 to 12. Too bad that they haven't been updated recently, but many of the contests are still running, and I think that used copies would still be worthwhile for a couple of dollars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in Richmond Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 (edited) Lots of good ideas on the Johns Hopkins cogito website, too, sortable by subject area and grade level! And another terrific listing (multiple subject areas and age groups) from the Hoagies website. Edited November 6, 2012 by Kathy in Richmond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshin Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Most of ours are already listed, but I didn't see Odyssey of the Mind. That's DS7's favorite: engineering, design, problem solving and drama all rolled into one. We didn't have a homeschool team in our area, so we started our own last year. All the kids love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Most of ours are already listed, but I didn't see Odyssey of the Mind. That's DS7's favorite: engineering, design, problem solving and drama all rolled into one. We didn't have a homeschool team in our area, so we started our own last year. All the kids love it. I thought Odyssey of the Mind got changed into Destination Imagination? I loved participating in Odyssey of the Mind when I was in elementary school but I was told it had changed a bit now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 So far this year my DD (age 7) has done Mathnasium Trimathlon (free, done through local Mathnasium centers) American Math Challenge (free, done online) and will be doing Spelling Bee (done through a local homeschool group-$25) Continental Math League (individual or team registration-$15 for an individual) Continental Language Arts League (individual or team registration-$15 for an individual) World Education Games (free, online) Exploratory Latin Exam ( individual, $20 fee) National Mythology Exam (individual. $20 fee) Science fair (through a local homeschool group, $10) Possibly more if she has the option to do so. Obviously, DD enjoys competitions and taking exams. She's the kid who saw "Akeelah and the Bee" as a preschooler and said "I'm going to do that!". Question-=how did you sign up for Continental Leagues as an individual? My son wants to do these. Also, technically he is a 2nd grader, but can you just apply as a third grader? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperDad Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 I thought Odyssey of the Mind got changed into Destination Imagination? I loved participating in Odyssey of the Mind when I was in elementary school but I was told it had changed a bit now. My kids currently participate in Odyssey of the Mind. AFAIK, Destination Imagination is a similar but separate program. Was National History Day already mentioned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeanM Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 My kids currently participate in Odyssey of the Mind. AFAIK, Destination Imagination is a similar but separate program. Was National History Day already mentioned? I believe National History Day is only for middle schoolers or high schoolers. It's a great competition though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iskra Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Wow. So many to choose from. I'm getting so excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Yes, you can sign up for Continental leagues as a homeschooler (which is anyone not going through a school-they explicitly state that you can be a homeschooler even if you're enrolled in school) for $15/subject. You do the same form, list your school as "homeschooled", and reduce the fee to $15. They send you the test packets for 1 DC a little before the test date and the log in code to upload your DC's scores, plus a participation certificate (but they don't get medals at the "school " level). IIRC, you need 6+ kids to make a team, and the $15 price is simply 1/6 of the cost for a team. I think most of the Continental leagues begin at 2nd, with some at 3rd. There are a LOT of subjects-DD picked her two favorites. I think the deadline for this year's registration is past, though-I'm thinking it was the end of September, maybe? I need to send in NME and ELE registration. I've been stalling on it, hoping that more people from the study groups would actually take the tests, but a lot of the parents are the "competition is bad" type who are against it, even when their kids seem to be thriving in the subject and would probably LOVE taking the test and trying to win a medal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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