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INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS and PARENTS
The HoustonPBS Spelling Bee is the qualifying bee for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Schools must enroll at www.spellingbee.com. The deadline is October 15, 2010.
The HoustonPBS Spelling Bee covers 42 Texas counties:
Angelina, Austin, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Caldwell, Chambers, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Robertson, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, Washington, Wharton, Williamson
Enrollment
Spellers must attend a school that is officially enrolled with the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The school enrollment fee is $99. There is no cost to the students. If your child's school is not enrolled in Scripps National Spelling Bee, please work with the school to start a spelling bee program.
Age/Grade Level
Spellers cannot be older than 14 or higher than 8th grade. There is no minimum age or grade level requirement for the March 26th HoustonPBS Spelling Bee. Some schools/school districts set a minimum grade level. If your school or school district sets a minimum grade level and you do not meet it, you will have to wait until a future year to participate.
For more details on eligibility...
School Spelling Bees - Fall 2010 through January 14, 2011
STEP 1: Ask your Teacher or School Office Representative if your School is Registered and How You Can Participate.
STEP 2: Find out How and When your School Conducts its Bee.
Get a clear understanding of the bee structure so you can prepare accordingly.
Example: Some school have class bees + grade level bees + a final school bee.
Example: Some schools have only a school-wide bee.
STEP 3: Study.
It is important to understand that a spelling bee is different than a 'spelling test' in which you know in advance all of the words to be tested. Only the spelling bee officials know exactly which words will be used in the bee.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee has Study Word lists designated by grade level difficulty, grades 1-8. That does not mean that students in each grade should study only their grade level's words. You will need to study the words of multiple grades. Get a copy of the Study Words that your school intends to use in its school bee. Study the words that your spelling bee coordinator gives you because the spelling bee will begin with the Study Words. Then, the bee will progress to words from the dictionary that are not on any Study Word list. For more information, click here.
STEP 5: Practice. (Dictionary Needed)
Practice your spelling bee skills. Ask someone to be the Pronouncer and call out the words to you. It is a good idea to repeat the word back to the Pronouncer. You may ask the Pronouncer for the following: repeat the word; definition; sentence; part of speech; language of origin; alternate pronunciation
STEP 6: Compete in your Spelling Bee.
Relax, do your best and enjoy the competition.
Online Resources
Merriam-Webster's Word Central
Regional/District Spelling Bees - February 2011
If you win your school bee you will advance to compete in a Regional/District Bee.
The words get harder for this level of competition. The Regional/District Bee begins with a selection of words from the School Study Words; then progresses to a selection of words from "Spell It"; and then to words from the dictionary that are not on any study list. Your School Bee Coordinator will tell you the specific date and location for your Regional/District Bee.
"Spell It"
You need to obtain a copy of "Spell It" which contains about 1150 words. Your School Bee Coordinator should give you a copy of "Spell It". You can also download "Spell It" at http://www.myspellit.com/.
Regional/District Bee Organization INSIDE HARRIS COUNTY:
School Districts go to School District Playoffs...
Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, Channelview ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Crosby ISD, Deer Park ISD, Galena Park ISD, Goose Creek ISD, Houston ISD Alternate/Charter, Houston ISD Central, Houston ISD East, Houston ISD North, Houston ISD South, Houston ISD West, Humble ISD, Katy ISD, Klein ISD, La Porte ISD, North Forest ISD, Pasadena ISD, Sheldon ISD, Spring ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Tomball ISD
Private Schools go to the Harris County Private Schools Spelling Bee.
Parochial Schools go to the Harris County Parochial Schools Spelling Bee.
Charter and Virtual Schools go to the Harris County Charter Schools Spelling Bee.
Home Schools go to the SETHSA Spelling Bee, click here.
Regional Bee Organization OUTSIDE HARRIS COUNTY:
ALL schools, regardless of type, compete in a Playoff organized by geographical grouping.
Zone 1 - Brazoria County
Zone 2 - Fort Bend County
Zone 3 - Galveston / Chambers Counties
Zone 4 - Jefferson / Liberty Counties
Zone 5 - Austin / Colorado / Matagorda / Wharton / Waller Counties
Zone 6 - Hardin / Jasper / Orange / Newton / Tyler Counties
Zone 7 - Angelina / Houston / Nacogdoches / Sabine / San Augustine Counties
Zone 8 - Montgomery / Polk / San Jacinto / Trinity / Walker Counties
Zone 9 - Brazos / Grimes / Leon / Madison / Robertson / Washington Counties
Zone 10 - Bastrop / Burleson / Caldwell / Fayette / Hays / Lee / Milam / Travis / Williamson Counties
HoustonPBS Spelling Bee - March 26, 2011
The top spellers from the Regional/District Spelling Bees advance to compete in the HoustonPBS Spelling Bee, March 26, 2011. If you earn a seat to the HoustonPBS Spelling Bee, the Regional/District Spelling Bee Coordinator will give you an information packet at the conclusion of the Regional/District Spelling Bee.
The words increase in difficulty for this level of competition. The HoustonPBS Spelling Bee begins with a selection of words from "Spell It" and then progresses to words from the dictionary that are not on any study list.
The HoustonPBS Spelling Bee will be televised live. The champion wins an all expenses paid trip for two to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
About the HoustonPBS Spelling Bee
HoustonPBS is the first Public Broadcaster to serve as a local sponsor of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the nation's leading academic event. HoustonPBS was America's first public television station and was one of the founding stations of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 1969. The station's mission is to empower, engage and enrich the lives of the people of Southeast Texas.
Educational Goals: The Spelling Bee helps students improve spelling, increase vocabularies, and develop correct English usage that will help them all of their lives. Bee experience also provides valuable experience in developing poise and sportsmanship - a necessary skill for public speaking, performing arts, and athletics.
HoustonPBS is supported primarily by viewer contributions with additional money coming from grants, special events and corporate sponsorships. The Association for Community Broadcasting (ACB) is a non-profit 501(c)3 support organization for KUHT.
Contact: spellingbee@houstonpbs.org; 713-743-8417
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