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Research

Hymns & Tasbehah

Coptic Language

Drama & Mime

Praise & Music

Creative Writing

Arts

Multimedia & Technology

Sports

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RESEARCHDescription:The Research Competition is an opportunity for participants to go deeper in their faith. They will research, exchange ideas, and improve their communication skills while competing for prizes.

Guidelines:1. The research competition is for Gr. 3 and above.2. The research paper must be related to the theme “Be My Witness”. 3. Below is a list of suggested topics that connect with this year’s theme:

• SymbolsoftheCrossInTheHolyBible• FaithFactsInTheLord’sPrayer• HowDidGodPrepareTheWorldForTheComingOfOurLordJesusChrist• FastingInOurCopticChurchAndItsImportance• OneEssenceAndThreeHypostases• HowToBenefitFromTheHolyLiturgy• DogmaofIncarnation• HowToBeWitnessesToOurLordJesusChristInOurLife• TheVesselsOfTheAltar• LessonsLearnedFromTheBookOfEsther• StKarasTheHermit• TheWellRoundedPersonalityAndItsCharacteristics• TeamWorkAndIIsImportance• Jesus’FiveParablesAboutTheKingdomOfGod• DogmaofIntercession• TheMiraclesOfJesusChrist&HisAuthorityOnNatureOthertopicsmaybeconsideredbutwillrequireapprovalfromtheresearchcommittee.Pleasesendyourtopic to research@mahragan.ca for approval.

4. SubmissionsmustbeinArial12pointfontanddoublespaced.Diagramswithreferencesmaybeincluded but are not counted towards the total page count.

5. PagecountperGrade:•Gr.3and4: 2-4pages•Gr.5and6: 3-6pages•Gr.7and8: 4-8pages•Gr.9and10: 5-10pages•Gr.11andup:7-15pages

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6. GroupsparticipatingintheResearchactivitymayhaveoneormoresubmissions.Ifthereismorethanone submission representing the group, the higher mark will count as the group mark in Research.

7. The research project may be presented in the form of a poster, a brochure or an essay.8. Abibliographymustalsobeincludedwiththesubmission.Pleasenotethatallresearchpapersmustbe

thestudent’soriginalwork.Plagiarismisstrictlyprohibitedandwillnegativelyaffectyourmark.

Submission Guidelines:Pleasesubmitonesoftcopytoresearch@mahragan.caandtwohardcopiesbythedateoffinalsubmission;one with name, grade and Church and the other with no information.Seeonlinecalendarforsubmissiondates.

Steps for research:1. Selectatopicandthinkofaspecificthesis(haveaquestionyourresearchwillanswer)2. Chooseappropriateresources(books,onlinepublications,etc.)3. Identifythekeyinformationyouwilluseanditssource(throughhighlighting,annotating,etc.)4. Reword the key information in your own words5. Addtherewordedinformationtoyourfinalcopy6. Includeyoursourceinyourbibliography

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HYMNS & TASBEHADescription:TheHymnsandTasbehaActivityisanopportunitytolearnthebeautifulhymnscherishedbyourrichCopticOrthodoxChurch.

Guidelines:1.Visualaidmaybeusedforlyricsonly, not with “hazaat”.2.Participantscansingindividuallyoringroupsofupto5people.3.Everyparticipantwillbegradedindividually,eveniftheysingingroups.

Grading criteria will be posted online separately.

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Coptic Language

See separate file in Downloads section

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DRAMA & MIME

Description:This competition is intended to foster good ethical, social and Christian values through the presentation of drama or mime performances.

Competition Guidelines:1.Thedramaandcompetitionisforgrades1andup,witheachgroupcompetingagainsttheirownage.2.TheproductionmustrelatetothethemeofMahragan2014,“BeMyWitness”andshouldbedrawnfromour Church spirit, values and traditions.3.TheproductionmustbeinoneofthefollowingDramaticForms:shortplays,pantomimesceneswithmusic/narration, tableaux, or anthology.4.Scriptsshouldemphasisecreativity,effectivenessandpositivethemes(bonusmarkswillbeawardedfororiginalscriptswrittenbyparticipants).5.ThestorylineshouldNOTbeintheformofasermonoralesson.6.Theuseofflammablematerialsisprohibitedduringtheproduction.7.Completerunningtimeshouldnotexceed30minutes.

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Evaluation Criteria for Short Plays and Anthologies:1. BlockingandStaging:actorsandsetareclearlyvisibleatalltimes;stagespaceisfullyused;movementis

purposefulandwellrehearsed. /102. Storyline:acomplete,creativeandoriginalstoryispresentedwithaclearbeginning,middleandend,

and a positive message related to this year’s theme “Be My Witness.” ORTopicalScenes:allscenesareNOTNARRATIVE(nothrough-lineofcharacters)butarecreativelylinkedtothechosentopicrelatedtothisyear’stheme“BeMyWitness;”entireanthologydemonstratesaminimumof3dramatictechniques(tableaux,thoughttracking,mime,mask,scripteddialogue,monologue,choralspeaking,movement,puppetry,song,etc). /20

3. Commitment:energy,focus,memorization,listeningandreacting,engaging. /104. Voice:projection,clarity,emotionalrange,andexpressiveness. /105. Characterization: expressive, engaging and believable characters are created through movement, facial

expression,andgestures. /206. ProductionElements:thoughtfuluseofcostume,props,set,lighting(ifavailable)andsound;production

elementsarewellchosenandsuitedtotheperformance. /107. Preparedness&OverallProductionValue:evidenceofpreparation;performanceispolishedandprofes-

sional;smoothexecution;doesn’texceed20minutes. /20

TOTAL /100

Note:Bonusmarkswillbeawardedfororiginalscripts.

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Evaluation Criteria for Abstract Forms (Mime/ Choral Movement/ Tableaux):1. Technique:MIME/MOVEMENT--Theuseofgesture,movement/choreographedgroupmovementand

facial expression without dialogue to communicate story, character, relationships, and emotion. Actorsuselarge&specificmovements;storylineisclearmadeclearwithaccompanyingmusicand/ornarration;groupmovesasoneensemble;accuratetiming;strongemotionalimpact.

ORTechnique:TABLEAUX—”Agroupofsilent,motionlessfiguresusedtorepresentastory,theme,orab-stractidea(e.g.,peace,joy).” /10

2. Stronguseofstillness,levels,facialexpression&gesture,composition(depth,focalpoint,balance/im-balance),andconflicttotellthestory;transitionsaresmooth,slow,andwellchoreographed;storylineisclearthroughtheimagesandmusic. /10

3. Storyline:acomplete,creativeandoriginalstoryispresentedwhichcontainsastrong,hopeful,positivemessagerelatedtothisyear’stheme“BeMyWitness.” /20

4. Commitment:energy,focus,memorization,listeningandreacting,engaging. /10 5. Characterization: expressive, engaging and believable characters are created through movement, facial

expression,andgestures. /206. ProductionValue:useofabstractdramaticformsallowsaudiencetobefullyinvolvedandengagedin

performance. /107. ProductionElements:appropriateandmeaningfuluseofcostuming,narration(optional),andmusic/

soundeffectstoenhanceperformancevalue;setandpropsshouldeitherbeallmimedorallreal--consistencyiskey. /10 

8. Preparedness:evidencethatrehearsaltimewasusedwisely;performanceispolishedandprofessional;smoothexecution. /10

TOTAL /100Note:Bonusmarkswillbeawardedfororiginalscripts.

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Praise & Music

Description: PraisingGodisnotjustagroupactivity.TheteachingsandtraditionsofourChurchfathersclearlyshowhowpraiseisconsideredprayerandhowGod’spresencecouldbefeltduringpraisethatflowsfromtheheart.

Competition Guidelines & Evaluation Criteria: ThePraiseandMusiccontestwillbedividedinto3separatecompetitions:Choir,SoloorInstrumental.

Choir Performance:1. The choir competition is for all ages.2. TheperformancemustrelatetothethemeofMahragan2014,“BeMyWitness”andshouldbedrawn

from our Church spirit, its values and traditions.3. Allteamsarerequiredtopresentinharmonyandunityreflectingaprayerfulspiritthroughoutall

performances.4. Apamphletmustbepreparedand5copiesaretobepresentedtothejudgesonperformanceday.The

pamphletshouldincludethefollowing:Churchname,Team/Groupname,AgeGroupandallofthesong lyrics.

5. Thechoirperformancemustnotexceed15minutes.6. Eachperformancemayincludeoneoldheritagesong(3minutesonly,regardlessofitsoriginallength).

Teamscanselectafewlinesofthesong(s)tostaywithinthetimeframe.Eachperformancecanhave3additionalshortsongsforamaximumof15minutesintotal.

7. Technicaldifficultiesrelatedtosoundequipmentwillnotresultinanymarkdeductions.Thechoirshouldcontinue to perform and present normally.

8. SongschosenforthechoirperformancesmustbeinEnglish.

Solo & Duet Performance:1. TheSolo&DuetcompetitionisforGr.3andup.2. InaSoloorDuetperformance,contestantsarerequiredtopresentpartofasongwithorwithoutmusic.

Thisisdifferentfromasoloperformancewithinachoir.3. TheSolo&Duetperformancemustnotexceed3minutes.

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Instrumental Performance:1. The instrumental competition is for Gr. 3 and up.2. Participantsmaychoosetodoasoloperformanceorperformwithinagroup.3. The musical instrument performance must not exceed 3 minutes.4. AvoidplayingheavybeatsorinappropriatemusicthatisinconsistentwiththespiritofourChurchorthe

atmosphere of praise which this musical exercise is meant to create.

Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation will be based on 3 main criteria:

1. MainMessageandPurpose(25%)2. Performance(40%)3. MusicTunesandvoices(25%)4. Withintimelimit(5%)5. Relatestotheme(5%)

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ArtsDescription:This competition is intended to foster artistic creativity within a Christian context while competing with other Mahragan participants.

Guidelines:1. ChooseoneoftheprojectsbelowandmakesuretorelateittothethemeoftheMahragan2014,”BeMy

Witness”.• DryMedia:Anytwo-dimensionalworkdonewithdrymediasuchaspencil,pastel,crayon,charcoal,

etc.orcombinationdoneonpaperorotherflatsurfaces.• Oil/AcrylicPainting:Anyoilbasedorsyntheticbased(suchasacrylicoralkyd)paintingdoneona

two-dimensionalsurfacesuchascanvasorhardboard(NoBristolBoards).• Photography:Anyimagecreatedbytheuseofcamera,whetherfilmordigital.Imagesmustbe

printedonpapernosmallerthan8x10inches.• Sculpture/Carving:Three-dimensionalsculpturalworkcreatedbycarvingormodeling.Maybe

figurativeornon-figurative.• WetMediaPainting:Anywaterbasedmediasuchastransparentwatercolor,opaquewatercolor,

waterbasedtemperaoranycombinationofthesedoneonatwo-dimensionalsurface.Includesacrylicthinneddowntotheconsistencyofwatercolordoneonpaper(NoBristolBoards).

• Woodwork: Wood pieces formed by the use of mechanical aids such as saws, sanders, etc. This includes furniture, musical instruments, tools, toys, etc... whether functional or decorative.

• Handcraft:Anyhandmadeitemwithartisticemphasisthatdoesnotfitintoanyothercategorysuchas mosaic, stained glass or pottery paint.

2. Allartprojectsmustbetheoriginalworkofthepresenterandshouldreflecthisorhercreativeabilityand cannot include any printed or copied images from books, magazines, catalogues, newspapers, the internet etc...

3. GroupsparticipatingintheArtsactivitymayberepresentedbyoneormoremembersofthegroupandhaveoneormoreartprojects.Ifthereismorethanoneprojectrepresentingthegroup,thehighermarkwillcountasthegroupmarkinArts.

4. Allworkmustbedonebythecompetitor.Gradeswillbenegativelyaffectediftheworkisclearlynotatthe level of the competitor.

5. Atthefinalpresentation,allworkmustbeclearlylabelledwiththename(s)ofthecompetitor(s),theirgrade, Church name, and a brief explanation of the project.

6. THEMAHRAGANCOMMITTEEAND/ORTHECHURCHARENOTRESPONSIBLEFORTHEARTWORKAFTERTHETIMEOFEXHIBITION.

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Evaluation Criteria:Evaluationoftheproductionwillbebasedonthefollowingaspects,asfollows:

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Description:Thecreativewritingcompetitionincludestwocategories:PoetryandShortStory.Poetryisarhymedorunrhymedversewhichdevelopsacentralthemeorimage.Ashortstoryisafictionalpiecewhichutilizessetting, plot, and characterisation to reveal an implied theme.

Competition Guidelines:1. The creative writing competition is for all ages.2. TheworkmustrelatetothethemeofMahragan2014,“BeMyWitness”andshouldbedrawnfromour

Church spirit, its values and traditions.3. Atthefinalstageofthecompetition,submittwocopiesofyourwork.Onlyoneofthecopiesmust

contain a plain, undecorated title page clearly indicating your Church, your name, and the title of your work.

4. Recommended word count per grade for short stories: • SK: upto100wordswithpictures• Gr.1and2: 100-200words• Gr.3and4: 200-500words• Gr.5and6: 500-800words• Gr.7and11: 800-1000words• Gr.11andup:1000-1500words

5. Recommended line count per grade for poetry:• Sk: 3to5lines• Grade1-2: 5to8lines• Grade3-4: 8lines• Grade5-6: 10lines• Grade7-8: 15lines• Grade9-10: 18lines• Grade11andup:18+

6. Groups participating in the creative writing activity may be represented by one or more members of the groupandhaveoneormoresubmission.Ifthereismorethanonesubmissionrepresentingthegroup,the higher mark will count as the group mark in creative writing.

7. Allsubmissionsmustbethestudent’soriginalwork.Plagiarismisstrictlyprohibitedandwillnegativelyaffectyourmark.

Creative Writing

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Evaluation Criteria:

Criteria for evaluating stories1. Ideaandpurpose–10%

• The idea has to be serious and must have a purpose.2. CreativityandChoiceofwords–10%

• Newwayoftreatinganissue3. ClarityandBrevity–10%

• Thevocabularymustbeclearandeasilyunderstood.Useofarchaiclanguageshouldbeavoided.4. Arrangement&FlowofSentences–20%

• Createsnaturalflowofevents,orcreativearrangementofeventsthatinspireinterestorintrigue5. Useoffigurativelanguage–10%

• Usingallegoricalormetaphoricallanguagetoillustratethemainidea.6. Grammarandcomposition–10%

• Varyyoursyntax7. Efficiencyinproducingthedesiredeffectuponthereader–10%

• Nounnecessaryphrasing8. Theoveralleffectofthestory–20%

Criteria for evaluating poetry1. Ideaandpurpose–10%

• The idea has to be serious and must have a purpose.2. Creativityandchoiceofwords–10%

• Anewwayoftreatinganissue3. ClarityandBrevity–10%

• Thevocabularymustbeclearandeasilyunderstood.Useofarchaiclanguageshouldbeavoided.4. Rhythm–20%

• Creates rhythmical echo appropriate to the intention of the poem5. Useoffigurativelanguage–10%

• Usingallegoricalormetaphoricallanguagetoillustratethemainidea.6. Grammarandcomposition–10%

• Varyyoursyntax7. Efficiencyinproducingthedesiredeffectuponthereader–10%

• Nounnecessaryphrasing• Don’tusewordsjusttofilloutthemissingrhythm

8. Theoveralleffectofthepoem–20%

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MULTIMEDIA &TECHNOLOGY

Description:This competition is intended to foster the creativity and technical ability of the participants and to utilize the latest technology in serving God in a Christian context.

Competition Guidelines:1. The multimedia competition is for Gr. 3 and above.2. ChooseoneoftheprojectsbelowandmakesuretorelateittothethemeoftheMahragan2014“BeMy

Witness”.• Graphics:Createacomputerimage.SuggestedPrograms:PhotoshoporTwistedBrush• WebDesign:Designawebpage.Thewebpagemayincludeimagesand/ormusic.Suggested

Programs:FrontPageorWebDwarforChocolateBananaorStrawBerryMango.• Multimedia:Createavideooraslideshow.SuggestedPrograms:WindowsMovieMakeror

PowerPoint• ComputerGame:CreateanyChristiancomputergame.SuggestedProgram:GameMaker8• MobileApplication:Createamobileapp.SuggestedProgram:QtCreator

3. Allprojectsmustbetheoriginalworkoftheparticipantandshouldreflecthisorhercreativeability.Plagiarismisstrictlyprohibitedandwillnegativelyaffectyourmark.

4. Groups participating in the Multimedia activity may be represented by one or more members of the groupandhaveoneormoresubmission.Ifthereismorethanonesubmissionrepresentingthegroup,the higher mark will count as the group mark in Multimedia.

5. Atthefinalsubmission,theprojectmustbehandedonCD,DVD,ourUSBandcannotbesubmittedbyemail.

6. AllresourcesusedshouldbeconsistentwithourOrthodoxbeliefs,whetherimages,movies,songsordata.Allreferencesshouldbeincluded.

7. Duringthefinalpresentation,thecompetitormustbringhis/herownlaptopreadytorunthemultimediaproject for evaluation purposes.

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CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Topic/Content

Covers topic completely and in depth. Includesproperlycited sources and complete information. Encouragesreadersto know more.

Includesessentialinformation with most sources properly cited. Includesenoughelaboration to give readers an understanding of the topic.

Includessomeessential information with few citations and few facts.

Includeslittleessential information and one or two facts.

Technical Capability

Includesatleast5or more graphics or5ormoreanimations and several advanced features, such as video.

Includesatleast3or more graphics or 3 or more animations and several advanced features, such as video.

Includesfewerthan 3 graphics or 3 animations and several advanced features, such as video.

Includesfewerthan3 graphics or 3 animations and no advanced features, such as video.

Mechanics

Grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization are correct.Nomorethan2errorsinthetext.

Includes3-5grammatical errors, misspellings, punctuation errors, etc.

Includes6-9grammatical errors, misspellings, punctuation errors, etc.

Includesmorethan10grammaticalerrors, misspellings, punctuation errors, etc.

Oral Presentation Skills

Communicates ideas with enthusiasm, proper voice projection, appropriate language, and clear delivery

Communicates ideas with proper voice projection. Adequatepreparation and delivery.

Somedifficultycommunicating ideas, due to voice projection, lack of preparation, or incomplete work

Great difficulty communicating ideas.Poorvoiceprojection.Littlepreparation or incomplete work.

Evaluation Criteria:

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SPORTSDescription:Thesportscompetitionemphasisessportsmanshipandteambuildingskills.ItcanbeanenjoyablewaytogettoknowandspendtimewithdifferentChurchparticipants.

Competition Guidelines & Evaluation Criteria:General: 1. Allplayersshouldonlycompeteintheirrespectiveagegroupsandrespectivegendercategory.2. Aformwillbeprovidedforeachcompetitiontobecompletedbyeachteamprovidingthenamesofall

the team members and their grade. 3. Anyplayerwhodemonstratesnon-Christianbehaviourwillbedismissedfromthecompetition.4. Ifaplayerispenalizedduringagame,he/shewillnotbepermittedtoplaythenextgame.5. Thereferees’decisionsarefinalandshouldnotbedisputed.Inthecaseofavalidobjection,aformal

complaint should be presented to the Mahragan committee.6. Anyteamwhoisnotpunctualwillautomaticallybedisqualified.7. Thecompetitionswillbeorganisedonaleaguebasiswithsemi-finalsandfinals,foreachsport.8. AnySportscompetitionthathaslessthan10participantswillbecancelled.

Relay (Grades SK-4)1. Competingteamsmusthaveanequalnumberofplayers.2. Eachplayerwillrunabout30metersandback,passingthebatontothenextplayeronhisorherteam.

This will be repeated until all of the players on the team have had a turn. 3. The team that completes the relay in the least time wins.

Soccer (Grades 1 & up)1. Eachgamewillrunforupto20minutes.2. Ifthetwoteamstieinthegame,penaltyshotswillbetaken.3. Substitutionswillbeallowedatanytimeduringthegame,butonlytwosubstitutionsareallowedper

game.

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Basketball (Grades 3 & up)1. Eachgamewillrunfor20minutes,withanintermissionofnomorethan2minutes.2. Ifthetwoteamstieattheendofthegame,therewillbeanovertimeof5minutes.3. Substitutionwillbeallowedatanytimeduringthegame.

Table Tennis (Grades 3 & up)1. Theteamwinning2outof3gamesisthewinner.2. Eachteamisallowedonlyonetime-out.

Chess (Grades 3 & up)1. Theteamthatwins2outof3gamesisthewinner.