Spelling Bees allow children to showcase their spelling skills while learning and having fun.
Spelling bees are one of the most popular and recognizable activities for grade school children. According to The Big Book of Spelling Tests, by Orin Hargraves, "While there are some new twists [on the spelling bee], the same basic principle has remained in effect since the mid-twentieth century." For fun without the seriousness of an actual Spelling Bee, try some in class or home variations that turn the Bee into a game and allow children to practice their spelling. Innovations in technology and learning styles have done little to change the core effectiveness and fun of a spelling bee.
Chalk Board Spelling Game
In its simplest and original form, the Spelling Bee challenges students to spell words individually. For in-class practice before a Bee and a bit of fun, try this simple but effective spelling game. Students enjoy the competition while learning about word construction and displaying their knowledge of the English language. Hand out small chalk boards to each member of the class and direct them to spell out the word and hold it up. Wrong answers get eliminated each round. Try offering the bonus prize to the quickest correct answer.
Foreign Language Bee Games
For foreign language teachers, this practice Bee game might come in handy for students to retain particular words and their spelling. Educators should create a word bank of simple articles, nouns or verbs that the students have already learned or might be aware of from outside of class. Randomly select students from the class and have them come up in front of the group to either spell a word out loud or correctly write it on the board.
Team Spelling Bee Games
Divide the students up into small groups of 3 or 4 depending on class size. Use a word bank to go around the room and question the groups in order. Allow the teams to converse privately for a few minutes before having a spokesperson spell the word aloud. When a team answers incorrectly, move to the next group and let them try to spell the word. Assign points based on each right or wrong answer and keep track on a chalk or whiteboard.
Spelling Bee Online Game
This variety is perfect for solo practice at home or could also be used as an in-class game, provided there are enough computers available. The game is modeled after the famous Putnam County Spelling Bee and allows students to select a character, hear the word read aloud in addition to its definition and context in a sentence. The game has varying degrees of word choice, but would be ideal for later elementary or middle-school students.
