Wed, Jan 21 4:37pm
Dear Monte Gardens Families,
We are excited to share that Monte Gardens is hosting a schoolwide spelling bee this year for our 1st-5th graders! This event is being reintroduced after several years, and we are looking forward to celebrating our students’ learning and love of words.
Our focus this year is on creating a positive, inclusive, and encouraging experience for students. This month, our 1st-5th grade classrooms are engaging in spelling and vocabulary activities that may look different from class to class. Teachers will choose approaches that work best for their students, such as written practice, small-group activities, or classroom spelling bees.
Each 1st-5th grade class will be nominating student representatives to participate in the schoolwide spelling bee. Students may be nominated based on skills, growth, effort, and willingness to participate. Participation is meant to be a fun and supportive experience, and students do not need to be perfect spellers to be involved.
The schoolwide spelling bee will take place on Thursday, January 29th from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Multi-Use Room. The event is open to all families and will emphasize respect, encouragement, and celebrating all participants. Additional details about the event will be shared with spelling bee participants’ families soon.
As we prepare for our upcoming schoolwide spelling bee, we are sharing a few resources to support your child at home. These materials are meant to encourage practice, confidence, and a positive attitude toward spelling.
- Word Club app (Google Play or App Store): Word Club is the Scripps National Spelling Bee's FREE study app. It includes the 450 words on the School Spelling Bee Study List, which are divided into three levels of difficulty: One Bee (1st-3rd grade), Two Bee (4th-6th grade), and Three Bee (7th-8th grade). Students who wish to prepare for the schoolwide spelling bee should study all 450 words on the School Spelling Bee Study List. The Word Club app also includes all 4,000 words in Words of the Champions, which is the recommended study list for School Spelling Bee Champions. Your child can choose from five spelling game modes and three vocabulary game modes. Visit https://spellingbee.com/word-club for more information about the Word Club app.
- Hillcrest 4th & 5th Grade Spelling Bee 2023 (YouTube video): This video offers a real-world example of what a schoolwide spelling bee looks like. The participants are 4th and 5th grade students from an elementary school in Pennsylvania.
- Akeelah and the Bee (2006 film): This family-friendly movie introduces the idea of a spelling bee while highlighting perseverance, confidence, and a love of words. Viewing the movie can be a fun way to help students understand what a spelling bee looks like and feel excited about participating. Akeelah and the Bee is available online for free (with ads) at Sling TV or for purchase or rent online.
To learn more about the Scripps National Spelling Bee program visit spellingbee.com/parents
If you have any questions or concerns about the Monte Gardens spelling bee program or your child’s participation, please reach out to our spelling bee coordinator Laila Winter (Konstella), your child’s teacher, or me.
If you have any questions or concerns about the Monte Gardens spelling bee program or your child’s participation, please reach out to our spelling bee coordinator Laila Winter (Konstella), your child’s teacher, or me.
Thank you for partnering with us as we restart this school tradition and celebrate learning together.
Warm regards,
Mr. Alexander Bennett
Monte Gardens Elementary School Principal
