<p>I’ve been watching some of this on ESPN. I’m curious, how do these kids learn all those spelling words? Is there a formula for figuring out words or do they actually know, or have memorized, all those spellings? They don’t seem to know the definition of the words, so is there some system to figuring out spellings?
The whole thing is amazing to me.</p>
<p>Watch the movie Akelia and the Bee for some of the systems and hints…</p>
<p>Spellbound is an even better source for insight into the kids who participate in the National Spelling Bee. It’s a documentary that followed kids in 1999 from regional bees to the finals of the National Bee, 7 or 8 kids, if I remember correctly. Fascinating story about many different kinds of kids, and families, backgrounds, learning styles, practice, training, etc.</p>
<p>If you learn roots and other languages, a lot of words become easier. So, these kids study “word theory” basically–roots, systems of spelling in other languages, etc. I think that’s why these competitions stop at middle school–because by high school kids read a lot more widely and start taking different languages, and then everyone can recognize the words and how to spell them. At least, that’s how it is for me: nowadays as an 18 year old when I watch spelling bees, I can recognize obscure words from works of literature (obscure to middle schoolers, not high schoolers). Example: “gitano” is from The Red Pony by John Steinbeck. And the word “heiligenschein” is spelled just like it sounds–very straightforward, if you’re briefly acquainted with German. Middle schoolers have to study these things by rote memorization of rules…once you’re older you’ve had time to discover/be exposed to how words are spelled and where they come from.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.spellingbee.com/cwl.shtml[/url]”>http://www.spellingbee.com/cwl.shtml</a></p>
<p>^___ Good insight, especially those words which appear frequently in the Bee.</p>
<p>I actually went to the National Spelling Bee in 2004 and 2005-feel free to ask me any questions!</p>
<p>r-o-t-e, rote</p>
<p>It’s actually not too rote-what b4nd20 said is really the way it goes most of the time. It’s just a lot of word theory.</p>
<p>But yes, many of us have literally read the dictionary multiple times. Unfortunately, it doesn’t give any street cred in high school :D</p>
<p>I’m amazed at the nerves of steel these kids have. It reminds me of watching my own kids stand at the plate facing 80+ mph fast balls, except they only get ONE STRIKE and they’re OUT. Yikes!!</p>
<p>Yeah, it’s pretty scary. I don’t think anyone is completely comfortable up there, even if they don’t show it. In the Spelling Bee, stoicism is often mistaken for confidence.</p>
<p>It wasn’t that scary for me, because it’s something I really like to do. However, standing at the plate getting thrown at-now I’d be terrified!</p>
<p>That list that dig dug up is awesome. Can I import an Aardwolf for my termites…take that Orkin.</p>