Who?		Students in Kindergarten only
		What?		Encourage creative artistic expression as students create “Critters” from everyday items and give the creations a creative name
		When?		See Academic Rodeo General Schedule and Academic Rodeo Contest Timelines for specific dates and deadlines.
“Promoting excellence in education and showcasing the talents of all our youth.”		Where?		Kinder Critters will be on display during the Academic Rodeo and throughout the East Texas State Fair.
See General Guidelines for general event rules and award information.

Contest Rules (Revised June 2008)				2007 Kinder Critters Winner
	1.	The contest is open to Kindergarten students only.
	2.	The project MUST be completed at school under the direction of the teacher.
	3.	Students will create a “Critter” using supplies at school or from home limited to the following types of items: cotton balls, toothpicks, straws, pipe cleaners, paper, construction paper, tissue paper, paper clips, twigs, sticks, acorns, pinecones, fabric, buttons, yarn, ribbon, lunch size paper bags, play dough, modeling clay, thread spools, coffee filters, paper cups, Styrofoam balls, or other similar items. Items used should be able to withstand several months of storage without deterioration for display at the East Texas State Fair.
	4.	The student may use glue or any of the above items for connecting parts of the critter together.
	5.	Hot glue should NOT be used by the student. It may, however, be used by the teacher only in attaching the Critter for display as listed below.
	6.	The Critter must be entirely created by the student without help from the teacher. The Critter created should be obviously prepared by a student of kindergarten age as indicated by the fine motor skills necessary to complete the project.
	7.	The Critter should be small enough to fit into a shoe box measuring no larger than 8” x 12” and will be placed and secured in the shoe box by or with the assistance of the teacher or other adult designated by the teacher. Tape, hot glue, etc. is appropriate to be used for securing the Critter in the box by the teacher. This will minimize damage to the Critter during transport to the Academic Rodeo and display during the Academic Rodeo. The box may be covered with paint or paper by the student if desired, but again should be indicative of the fine motor skills of a Kindergarten student.
	8.	Limited accessory items for the critter made from the previously mentioned materials may be added to the inside of the box. These should also be appropriate to the skill level of the age.
	9.	The student should assign a name to the Critter which will be printed or typed on a label or paper and attached inside the box by the teacher in a location that can be easily viewed.
	10.	Students may add accessories for the Critter (food, clothing, etc.) also created from the approved list of supplies.
	11.	The lid of the shoe box should be placed on top for transport to the Academic Rodeo and storage during the summer.
	12.	The identifying label used for Kinder Critter Contest and for Art Contest should be placed on the outside of the shoe box lid in the top upright position and should include student’s name, grade, name of critter, signature of teacher, name of school and school district.
	13.	Signature of teacher affirms that the entry was created by the student at school without adult assistance.
	14.	Six entries may be selected for submission to the Academic Rodeo Kinder Critter Contest.
	15.	Kinder Critter entries selected by the school to be represented in the contest must be submitted by the date designated on the contest timeline. Judging of entries will occur at a later time. Students are not required to be present for the judging.
	16.	Kinder Critters will be judged based on creativity and uniqueness of the Critter as well as creativity and appropriateness of the name.
	17.	The committee of judges will evaluate the entries and award first, second and third place winners, as well as three (3) honorable mention entries.

Kinder Critters Contest Timeline

(See Academic Rodeo Timeline for specific dates and deadlines.)

• Primary Contact for the school or organization will submit the School/Organization Registration Form by the deadline. See the Academic Rodeo Timeline for specific deadline.  Click here to see if your school is registered.
• Sponsor will select a maximum of six (6) entries to submit for the contest.   
• Sponsor will register students selected for contest using the Student Registration Form by the designated deadline.  This can be coordinated with sponsors for other contests.
• Sponsor will bring entries to the Academic Rodeo by the entry deadline.
• Winners will be announced by the date designated in the Academic Rodeo Timeline.
• Entries will be on display during the Academic Rodeo.
• Winners will be recognized at the Academic Rodeo Awards Celebration. Students and/or school sponsors should attend to accept awards for the school.
• Entries will be stored for display during the East Texas State Fair.
• Students or sponsors should collect entries during the designated pick-up period after the fair.
• Entries not claimed will become the property of the East Texas State Fair and will be destroyed.