🎙️ How to run a classroom spelling bee
Pick a word list a little above the class's level, appoint a pronouncer and a judge, explain the rules before the first word, and run rounds where every speller gets one word until only one is left. It takes about an hour for a class of twenty-five.
Before the day
- Choose a list: Peabody's grade lists give twenty words a grade, and lists by pattern for later rounds.
- Print the pronouncer cards: each has the word, a definition and a sentence.
- Pick a pronouncer (you, or another teacher) and a judge with the word list to follow along.
- Share the list with spellers at least a week ahead.
The rules (read them aloud first)
- The pronouncer says the word. The speller may ask for the word again, the definition, a sentence and the language of origin.
- The speller says the word, spells it, and says it again.
- Once a letter is said, it can't be changed.
- A misspelled word is out; the right spelling is read aloud.
- If everyone misses in a round, they all stay in.
Rounds and the finish
Each round, every speller still standing gets one word. When two are left, the bee needs one speller to spell a word right and then spell one more right to win. Keep harder words for the final rounds: the pattern lists, like tricky plurals or French words, are good for this.
Keep it kind
- Clap for every speller who sits down.
- Let spellers who are out help keep score or ring the bell.
- Give everyone a small certificate: being brave enough to spell in front of the class is the real win.