How to Win a Spelling Bee
Step 1
Review the word list if you have one. Familiarize yourself with the words that will appear in the spelling bee. Circle any words that seem difficult or any you don’t recognize so you know where to focus most of your attention. Make sure you practice spelling each of the words from the list until you master them.
Work on word lists made for your grade level before moving on to lists made for higher levels.
Step 2
Look for common spelling bee words online if a list isn’t provided. Many regional and national spelling bees don’t have set word lists, but you can find frequently used words through Merriam-Webster and online study sources. Find words that you find challenging and focus your time on learning them. Start with words in your grade level before studying higher-level words.
Spell It! From Merriam-Webster lists over 1,000 words that are commonly used in bees along with tips and tricks on how to remember their spelling. You can find the words here: http://myspellit.com/.
Look on online flashcard websites like Quizlet for study options that other people preparing for spelling bees have made.
Step 3
Listen to the pronunciation of each word online so you hear how it sounds. Most online dictionaries offer an audio option where you can hear each word. Type the word into the search bar on the website and click on the small speaker icon to hear the word. This is how the announcer at the spelling bee will say the word.
Hearing the word while looking at the spelling will help you recognize how the letters are vocalized.
If you’re familiar with phonetic writing, you can find the correct pronunciation in the dictionary.
Step 4
Practice spelling 15-20 words every day. Break your workload into manageable chunks of words to focus on. Pair difficult words with ones you’re familiar with to give yourself a break between challenging spellings. Work until you master how to spell each word on your list for that given day.
Revisit words after a week to see if you can spell them correctly again.
Increase or decrease the number of words you practice depending on what works for you.
Step 5
Have someone announce the words so you can practice spelling them out loud. Pretend you’re standing in front of a microphone just like you would at the actual spelling bee. When your friend or parent reads off the word, ask any questions you have, such as the definition or country of origin, or have them repeat the word. Practice spelling each word aloud.
Having someone read the words for you helps prepare you for being on stage as well as work on spelling under pressure.
Make sure they pronounce the words correctly when they announce the words.
Step 6
Familiarize yourself with common word roots to figure out definitions. Many words are made by combining 2 or more roots that give hints on what the word means. A majority of words in English are formed with Latin or Greek roots. Make a list of common roots you find in your words. When you hear a new word, think back to the definition and the root word to figure out the spelling.
For example, the word telephone is made up of the roots “tele-” which means “at a distance” and “-phone” which means voice. Knowing these roots can help you spell words like television, telekinesis, or phonograph based on their definitions.
Step 7
Look up the etymology of words online to learn the origins of words. Words originating from different countries may have specific rules or patterns that can help you spell the words. For example, words originating from Japan tend to end with a vowel sound or the letter N.Study words that come from various countries and regions of the world to familiarize yourself with their patterns.
Ask a librarian or English teacher to help you find a book to help you learn etymology.
Many schools have access to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) that lists the entire history of a word. Ask your librarian if your school or university has an OED login.
Step 8
Read more books and look up words you don’t know. Keep a dictionary near you as you read books at and above your grade level. If you come across a confusing word, try to guess what the word means based on the rest of the sentence, and then look it up in your dictionary. Make a list of the words you stop for to practice with.
For example, in the sentence, “I noshed on some pretzels,” you may be unfamiliar with the word noshed. Based on the context of the sentence, you can guess that nosh means "to eat." When you look up the word, you’ll find nosh means "to eat a snack."
Some e-readers have a built-in dictionary that lets you look up words just by tapping on them.
Step 9
Play word games. Look online for crosswords or practice spelling tests to help improve your spelling and increase your vocabulary. Keep track of words that are challenging so you can come back to them and practice spelling them later.
If you want to play games with friends, try playing a game of Scrabble, Boggle, or Words with Friends.
Step 10
Watch some spelling bees before you compete. If you’ve never seen or participated in a spelling bee before, familiarizing yourself with what they’re like can help you feel more comfortable. Try attending a spelling bee in person or watching footage of different spelling bees online.
Watching spelling bees can give you an idea of the typical format of the bee and what the on-stage experience is like for the competitors.
You can watch televised national spelling bees, like the Scripps National Spelling Bee, on stations like ESPN. Check on YouTube for footage of smaller local or regional spelling bees.
Step 11
Conquer stage fright. Stay calm while you’re on stage by taking slow, deep breaths. Look directly at the announcer rather than anyone in the crowd so you don’t get distracted. Listen to the announcer carefully so you hear each word.
Practicing spelling in front of your friends and family before the day of the spelling bee can help prepare you for standing in front of a larger audience.
Step 12
Spell words on your palm with your finger to help remember the spelling. Pretend your finger is a pencil and your other hand is a piece of paper. As you hear the word, start writing it out one letter at a time in your palm. This can help you visualize the word better and recognize any mistakes before you spell the word out loud.
Take your time when spelling the word. Once you start saying it out loud, you can’t make any changes.
Try writing the words with your finger when you’re practicing for the spelling bee to get used to the motions.
Step 13
Ask questions about the word if you need clarification. If your spelling bee allows it, ask for the definition, country of origin, and what part of speech the word is so you know what patterns or roots you can expect from your word. If you have trouble hearing the announcer, ask them to repeat the word until you have a clear understanding of it.
Some spelling bees will allow the announcer to use the word in a sentence so you can hear it in context.
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