During the Christmas Break I plan to start posting videos of spelling bee lectures. These videos will go through word etymology, what to do and what not to do at a spelling bee, and so much more! I have started making videos already, but I will edit them later.
I have not had time to post videos of songs of certain languages. Unfortunately, I do not have accompaniment parts for most songs, so I have decided to post videos of my choir singing. This weekend I am planning to post some. Sorry for the delay, everyone!
The spelling bee club planning is still in process. The only spellers I coach right now are my close friends who are younger than me.
By the way, do not expect me to post too often, unless there is a vacation!
For now,
"Spell with your dream!
Spell with your heart!
Spell with your love!"
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Make Sure Your School is Signed Up for the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program
The deadline for the Scripps National Spelling Bee program enrollment is on October 17th. The late enrollment period commences on October 18th and ends December 16th. Ask your teachers if your school has already been enrolled. If you are too anxious to know go to the spelling bee website: spellingbee.com and click on the Enroll Now button. Type in the school's zip code and check if your school is already enrolled.
If your school is not enrolled simply talk to the principal or a teacher of your school. It would be nice if every school in the country and around the world is enrolled, but it is pretty expensive!
Good luck to everyone!
P.S. Sorry if I have not been posting often, because I am busy coaching my friends and I have a lot of homework.
If your school is not enrolled simply talk to the principal or a teacher of your school. It would be nice if every school in the country and around the world is enrolled, but it is pretty expensive!
Good luck to everyone!
P.S. Sorry if I have not been posting often, because I am busy coaching my friends and I have a lot of homework.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Spelling Studies Continue (Even in High School)
Knowing that high school is full of a lot of homework, studying, and dedication (especially when all my classes are honors) has helped me understand why the spelling bee only goes up to eighth grade. I still have time to help my sister and other friends, but I have hardly any time to study.
My teacher has a Word of the Day wall in her room and I love learning the new words and writing some of my favorites down. When one of my classmates taught our class the word bourgeoisie (with the definition, origin, part of speech, and sentence) she forgot how to spell it. The teacher asked, "Does anyone know how to spell the word?" I raised my hand and spelled it.
In science we learn a lot of Greek and Latin roots. It is a good thing that I still remember them, because we have to figure out the definitions of words. In fact there have been many science terms we learned that have been used at every level of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Since my school does the science fair, I will be doing a lot of research and I may pick up more of the obscure words.
In Geography/Ancient Civilizations we learn words from different cultures. Just today, we talked about Ancient India and learned the word bhutatathata. It was not a new word to me, but new to the rest of my class, and a word my teacher could not quite pronounce, so I had to help her. That was very interesting and exciting to know that one of my favorite words was mentioned in school!
High school is going to be really exciting and I hope to learn more words!
My teacher has a Word of the Day wall in her room and I love learning the new words and writing some of my favorites down. When one of my classmates taught our class the word bourgeoisie (with the definition, origin, part of speech, and sentence) she forgot how to spell it. The teacher asked, "Does anyone know how to spell the word?" I raised my hand and spelled it.
In science we learn a lot of Greek and Latin roots. It is a good thing that I still remember them, because we have to figure out the definitions of words. In fact there have been many science terms we learned that have been used at every level of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Since my school does the science fair, I will be doing a lot of research and I may pick up more of the obscure words.
In Geography/Ancient Civilizations we learn words from different cultures. Just today, we talked about Ancient India and learned the word bhutatathata. It was not a new word to me, but new to the rest of my class, and a word my teacher could not quite pronounce, so I had to help her. That was very interesting and exciting to know that one of my favorite words was mentioned in school!
High school is going to be really exciting and I hope to learn more words!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
264 Days Until the 2012 National Spelling Bee
That may seem like a long time right now, but it will be here before you know it. If you have not started studying, begin as soon as possible. May 27 is when most of the spellers arrive in Washington, D.C. 265 days until the barbecue, 266 days until the Round 1 test, 267 days until the oral preliminary rounds, and 268 days until semifinals and finals.
Now that I am coaching more than one speller often, my friends and sister have been doing well in their studies. Perhaps one of them will make it to nationals in 2012.
I'm coaching three spellers from the same school. Two of them are currently eligible, while one has to wait another year to try and make it to the National Spelling Bee. I am also coaching spellers from my old schools, and a friend who moved to a different state (I coach him by email, but his parents help him, too). There are currently seven spellers in the club, even if I am still planning it.
I have decided to do Word of the Week now, instead of Word of the Day.
piezochemistry - \pee-ay-zoh-kem-i-stree; pee-ayt-soh-kem-i-stree; pI-ee-zoh-kem-i-stree\ [Greek + Greek] noun: scientific branch that studies the relationship between pressure and reactions
Good luck!
Now that I am coaching more than one speller often, my friends and sister have been doing well in their studies. Perhaps one of them will make it to nationals in 2012.
I'm coaching three spellers from the same school. Two of them are currently eligible, while one has to wait another year to try and make it to the National Spelling Bee. I am also coaching spellers from my old schools, and a friend who moved to a different state (I coach him by email, but his parents help him, too). There are currently seven spellers in the club, even if I am still planning it.
I have decided to do Word of the Week now, instead of Word of the Day.
piezochemistry - \pee-ay-zoh-kem-i-stree; pee-ayt-soh-kem-i-stree; pI-ee-zoh-kem-i-stree\ [Greek + Greek] noun: scientific branch that studies the relationship between pressure and reactions
Good luck!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Persian/Sanskrit/Hindi Rules
Persian, Sanskrit, and Hindi are rare languages used at the National Spelling Bee.
A majority of Persian words go through Hindi, Arabic, Turkish, and Sanskrit.
Persian
The long e sound at the end of the word is spelled with an i. (examples: abbasi, tangi, kusti)
The g sound can be spelled with a g or gh. (examples: idgah, ispaghul, ghorkar)
The k sound can be spelled wiyh a c, k, or kh (examples: calean, kamboh, Bakhtiari)
There are many Sanskrit and Hindi words that are Hindu terms. They have also donated many words to the English language.
Sanskrit/Hindi
Silent h
bhutatathata (bh and th)
dharma (dh)
gymkhana (kh)
phansigar (ph)
The long "e" sound at the end of the word is spelled with an i. (examples: chhatri, pachisi, dhauri)
The schwa at the end of the word is spelled with an a or ah. (examples: mahatma, natya, almirah, khankah)
The "ana" sound is pronounced with a British accent at the end of the word. It is spelled as ana. (examples: jnana, zenana, dhyana)
Word of Yesterday - Wundtian \vunteean\ [German biographical name + English] of or relating to Wilhelm Wundt or his theories or investigations
Word of the Day - wurrup \wuh-ruhp\ [Australian native name] a hare wallaby of the central and western parts of Australia
A majority of Persian words go through Hindi, Arabic, Turkish, and Sanskrit.
Persian
The long e sound at the end of the word is spelled with an i. (examples: abbasi, tangi, kusti)
The g sound can be spelled with a g or gh. (examples: idgah, ispaghul, ghorkar)
The k sound can be spelled wiyh a c, k, or kh (examples: calean, kamboh, Bakhtiari)
There are many Sanskrit and Hindi words that are Hindu terms. They have also donated many words to the English language.
Sanskrit/Hindi
Silent h
bhutatathata (bh and th)
dharma (dh)
gymkhana (kh)
phansigar (ph)
The long "e" sound at the end of the word is spelled with an i. (examples: chhatri, pachisi, dhauri)
The schwa at the end of the word is spelled with an a or ah. (examples: mahatma, natya, almirah, khankah)
The "ana" sound is pronounced with a British accent at the end of the word. It is spelled as ana. (examples: jnana, zenana, dhyana)
Word of Yesterday - Wundtian \vunteean\ [German biographical name + English] of or relating to Wilhelm Wundt or his theories or investigations
Word of the Day - wurrup \wuh-ruhp\ [Australian native name] a hare wallaby of the central and western parts of Australia
Thursday, September 1, 2011
French Class - "I Recognize that Word!"
At my school it is required to take a language class. I am currently taking French and it is a very exciting class. There are so many words I recognize, because of the spelling bee. French used to be my least favorite origin to study, now it is my second.
Some of the words we have learned in French that have been used at the spelling bee:
devoir
devant
mademoiselle
noisette
rognon
echappe
rapprochement
eclat
ecrase
espadon
I asked, "What is swordfish in French?" My teacher replied, "Espadon". We really did not study these words, but I asked for them. Studying a lot of French-derived words for the spelling bee has been paying off in my French class.
Some of the words we have learned in French that have been used at the spelling bee:
devoir
devant
mademoiselle
noisette
rognon
echappe
rapprochement
eclat
ecrase
espadon
I asked, "What is swordfish in French?" My teacher replied, "Espadon". We really did not study these words, but I asked for them. Studying a lot of French-derived words for the spelling bee has been paying off in my French class.
Monday, August 29, 2011
My Competition Years for Scripps are Over
The competition years for the Scripps National Spelling Bee are over. I am still coaching my sister and she is excited! Today, I began high school and in my Honors English class, we will be learning Greek and Latin roots. I guess I will have background knowledge of that. I am also taking French, which will be very helpful for my sister in the Bee, who cannot take a language class yet. I will teach her the word patterns that I learn!
I am so excited for everything that will happen this year. High school is very different from Elementary and Junior High, but I know I can do it. If last year was your last year in the Bee, do not stop learning new words or spelling. There is still the AARP National Spelling Bee, and there are other Bees out there as well. I heard that someone is planning a High School National Spelling Bee, but it is online.
For you spellers who are still eligible, remember that every speller has to stop competing at Scripps one day. If you are a third grader and went to nationals, you still have five years remaining, but you will be finished competing at Scripps. Do not take any spelling bee moment for granted, because you never know if you will make it back to the National Spelling Bee.
Word of the Day
catafalque - /kad-uh-falk/ [Latin to Italian] structure used in churches in funerals
If I get too busy, I may be only posting Word of the Week. Good luck spellers!
I am so excited for everything that will happen this year. High school is very different from Elementary and Junior High, but I know I can do it. If last year was your last year in the Bee, do not stop learning new words or spelling. There is still the AARP National Spelling Bee, and there are other Bees out there as well. I heard that someone is planning a High School National Spelling Bee, but it is online.
For you spellers who are still eligible, remember that every speller has to stop competing at Scripps one day. If you are a third grader and went to nationals, you still have five years remaining, but you will be finished competing at Scripps. Do not take any spelling bee moment for granted, because you never know if you will make it back to the National Spelling Bee.
Word of the Day
catafalque - /kad-uh-falk/ [Latin to Italian] structure used in churches in funerals
If I get too busy, I may be only posting Word of the Week. Good luck spellers!
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