Visit the website of the National Spelling Bee, which is the longest-running educational promotion in the United States, to find many resources for parents, students and teachers. The purpose of the bee is to help students improve spelling, learn correct usage of the English language and increase vocabulary. Schools can enroll in the national program, conduct bees locally and advance their top spellers to the national spelling bee. Find study tips for spelling bees and use the "Spell It" interactive spelling program that helps children study words divided into category by origin.
Many essays and online materials can help students study for a spelling bee. One such essay, "How to Study for a Spelling Bee," starts by reminding students to determine where their baseline is as spellers and grow from that place. Students should read often, quiz themselves and have parents or friends quiz them. Practice and study word patterns to get an idea of how word sounds are typically spelled, and note the exceptions, because there are always exceptions.
Study books that explain the roots of words. Look these up at the library, bookstore or on the internet. Books on etymology or word history will teach the origins of words. When a student receives an unknown word at the spelling bee, make an educated guess of that word by knowing its root or history. Knowing that the word is Japanese, for example, can give students an understanding of how it might be spelled. The Compact 5-Language Visual Dictionary by Merriam-Webster is a good resource that lists thousands of words and concepts in five languages, along with color images.
The Merriam-Webster website offers not only a dictionary and other resources to help in the study of words but also word games. Play interactive games to practice, practice, practice. Students can play crosswords, Bee Cubed, Scrabble, jumble solitaire and word hunts that will help them prepare for competition.