Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqlGR8fz8Rfo1YRi2uolYfpciGdzMnINVm062k50X9OlzISw/viewform?usp=sf_link Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 4th! I’m running a bee open to middle and high school students that will focus only on words found in the SAT tests, and those found in newspapers and books. What’s the catch? Pronunciations will not be provided! Instead, I’ll be providing you with clues to…
Directions in Music
Around the world, different people have developed their own ways to create music unique to their culture. As a result, there are plenty of words to define the world of music. Today, I’m going to delve into some words for directions in music and the Latin and Italian root words they are derived from. If…
Unpacking /s/, /z/, and /ts/ in German
German is a favorite language for many spellers, both due to its cool-looking words and the fact that it has simpler spelling rules than other languages like French. Vowel sounds are more straightforward, and while the letters might not make the same sounds they do in English, the patterns tend to be more consistent. However,…
A Guide to Spelling Constellations
One of the great things about spelling is the way it allows you to understand the world around you. You’re exposed to new foods, sports, animals, and even dance moves. Part of the joy in spelling is exploring all of these categories of words and learning about each of them. Stars and constellations form a…
Understanding Time Management: A Guide for Spellers
“You’re not competing against each other. You’re competing against the dictionary.” This was the mantra repeated by former Scripps National Spelling Bee pronouncer Alex Cameron at the start of every Bee Week for 23 years. It’s an important thing for a speller to remember, and an idea that allows them to connect better with their…
The /əbəl/ Ending
The /əbəl/ suffix is one of the most confusing for spelling bee participants. In the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary, there are a whopping 2,900 words that end in -ible, -able, or -eable! Out of these, there are around 1,150 that every speller should know – or at least be able to guess correctly. While the majority…
Spelling Practice Resources
Please feel free to reach out to mightylearn@gmail.com for many of the word lists that have been used by spellers over the last 20 years. One of the problems that starting spellers face is finding resources that provide word information beyond just lists, like etymology, definitions, and pronunciations. Here are some of the best places…
French Language Patterns: the Long ‘I’ Sound
French is a language with lots of quirks, exceptions, and ways to spell every sound. The long ‘i’ (eye) sound is no exception. Here are some tips and tricks for tackling it. The long ‘i’ sound doesn’t appear at the beginning of any words derived purely from French. When it appears, it is generally because…
Geographical Words: US vs. British
When the American Revolutionary War officially ended (in 1783) and the British surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown, the colonists were determined to make the end of the war the end of all British influence in America. This is probably why our light switches turn on the other way, we drive on the other side…
Spelling Polish Words: Part 2
Just like in French, accents matter a lot in Polish. In the last post, we covered how this is true for some unusual consonant combinations that show up in Polish words. Today, however, we’ll be focusing more on vowels and accents. The first element that can cause some difficulty to spellers is the ogonek. This…