Spelling Bee

Hello Spelling Bee Contestants! 

We're getting SO close! It's next Thursday! We can't wait to get together to see the results of all the studying you've been doing over the last several months! We're already SOOO proud of you and we can't wait to see you shine on that stage!!

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

Please arrive promptly at 10:00 am. All participants will register upon arrival for the spelling level they'll compete in. Many people have messaged over the last several months saying they're not sure what group their kiddos will compete in yet, which is totally fine! There is no need to decide until the day of the Spelling Bee. We'll have a registration table set up there and there will be a sign-up sheet for every level. Each participant may compete in only one level.

The "Paris Mountain" (learning level) participants will be up first. We'll go in order from there.

(1) PARIS MOUNTAIN

(2) BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

(3) THE ROCKIES

(4) MT. KILIMANJARO

Participants will be asked to repeat the word, then spell the word, then repeat it again. They'll be welcomed to ask the judge to repeat the word and/or use it in a sentence.

Every participant will receive a "Spelling Bee Star" ribbon.

Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each level.* Spelling Bee trophies will also be awarded to our winners and will be delivered a few weeks later to allow time for personalization.*

* Does not include Paris Mountain, since this is practice and there are no winners.

PICNICS:

Please feel free to bring folding chairs, picnic blankets, and picnics. Please bring a bag to collect your trash, as this is a private neighborhood and will NOT have public trash cans available.

ADDRESS:

25 NOBLE ST. GREER, 29651

The Spelling Bee will take place at Town Square Pavillion in the residential community called "O Neal Village" in Greer. For reference, it is close to Scandi Tiny Coffee, Lake Robinson, and Lake Cunningham Fire Dept. The Town Square Pavillion is right behind "Little Me Academy."

Please park in the commercial spots up front. If those are taken, please park somewhere in the neighborhood. Please be courteous and don't block mailboxes or driveways.

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We'll bring our picnic blankets, folding chairs, snacks/lunches, etc. and have a nice time on the lawn while we watch our contestants step up to the microphone and spell their words. The lawn where the audience will sit is uncovered. The small amphitheatre where the contestants will compete is covered.

This Spelling Bee is for everyone! Even if your student is not a strong speller, this could be a perfect opportunity to encourage them. I personally find that competition and a great prize is the best way to motivate my kids. We're intentionally selecting words that are practical so that this is valuable learning for them!

Contestants can choose what level they'd like to compete in. We are not organizing by age or grade level, because we want each contestant to compete at the level where they're most comfortable. Our goal is to have fun, build confidence, learn practical vocabulary words, and engage in some friendly competition.

We'll have a learning group for preschool and kindergarteners and four competitive groups. Every group will be named after a mountain range to work within our theme of "Keep Climbing!"

This will not be a blind Spelling Bee and contestants are welcomed to study the vocabulary list which will be used for their group (listed below).

LEVELS:

(learning level) PARIS MOUNTAIN: This level is for our preschoolers, kindergarteners, and any other students who would like to practice at this level. This is not a competitive round. Each contestant will spell 2-5 words and parents will be welcomed to help them if needed. Students will learn the format of a spelling bee and work on their spelling, confidence, and public speaking skills.

(level 1) BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS: We'll select words from a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade word lists.

(level 2) ROCKIES: We'll select words from a 4th and 5th grade word lists.

(level 3) MT. KILIMINJARO: We'll select words from a 6th, 7th, and 8th grade word lists.

(level 4) MT. EVEREST: We'll select words an 11th Grade Mastery Words.

VIEW THE WORD LISTS WE'LL USE FOR THE SPELLING BEE HERE: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rGxUU14Gdx3ARTm1rrIFVXY7TuIfT21_/view?usp=sharing

In order to keep the Spelling Bee moving at a competitive pace (and so we're not sitting on that lawn until the sun sets) we may move up to the next level's word list to accelerate the challenge and reach a winner for each level.

So, for instance, when the Rockies group competes, we will begin with the word list assigned to that group. But if we need to increase the level of difficulty in order to reach a winner, we will start selecting words from the Mt. Kilinjaro's list.

PRIZES: 

Blue Ridge Mountains: A set of Two-Way Radios

The Rockies: An "Intex Explorer 300 Boat Set." An inflatable boat for 3, with oars.

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Skull Candy Wireless Ear Buds.

All winners will also receive personalized Spelling Bee Trophies (will be available a few weeks after spelling bee to allow time for personalization).