The Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition is one of the biggest spelling contests in the US. Many Parents and aspiring Children wonder what it takes to become a champion and whether it is worth the effort.
As any former Scripps champion will attest, the competition, held from May 31 to June 1, is a test of skill and luck. No amount of preparation can guarantee victory, as the words are drawn from the vast Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary. However, the journey of learning and understanding these words and the value they add to a young participant’s life can be a source of pride and accomplishment.
To become a spelling bee champion, having a good school environment or good grades and behavior is not enough. You must implement certain practices in your schedule to be an excellent speller. These practices have also been seen in the champions of spelling bee contests.
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Invest in Study Materials
Just reading an open dictionary is not enough. You need to study word lists, which include the 4000 words provided in Scripps’s free official study guide. Some parents even create their own word lists for their children based on the previous bee competition.
Some study materials that are online can cost a considerable sum of money. A former 2021 champion, Zaila Avant-garde, said, “Her family had a little bit of trouble coming up with money to purchase a popular online resource, which at that time cost $600”.
Relying just on the study material is not only an investment you need to make; you also need to invest in hiring a coach to teach you. These coaches are often former spelling bee contestants or teachers. They can charge you between $50 and over $200 per hour. Some coaches work with students one-on-one weekly all year.
Practice Independently
Many studies have shown that learning the words alone and practicing, studying, and memorizing them have improved performance in spelling bee contests.
Most participants and champions have said that studying in their rooms, libraries, or at school has helped them. Studying helps build up the stamina of spelling needed on the competitive stage.
Make a Studying a Family Affair
Many parents also help their children practice spelling in their homes. Some contestants have said that their families are their coaches most of the time, and they spend their time practicing with them.
A former bee champion shared that when her family used to go to an Italian restaurant, her father would use this occasion to practice words of Italian Origin. The daughter would write the word on a paper menu and bring it home to practice as a study guide.
All these activities help you become a speller, and the children also know that they are not alone in this and have their family with them.
Form Study Groups with Similar People
Try to make friends interested in spelling, form a study group with them, and try to help each other expand your knowledge. Most participants in the spelling bee respect each other when lost, they acknowledge it gracefully, and these participants don’t have a mentality like “us versus them”.
Read a Lot
When asked why they are interested in spelling, most of the students or participants said that they love reading and finding new words. Reading is their favorite hobby and cannot be replaced with deliberate practice. However, it can become a strong foundation for students who love reading a lot.
This also helps them become active readers, invoking the thirst for new words they don’t understand.
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