TCOE | Tulare County Spelling Championship

Tulare County Spelling Championship

Tulare County Spelling Championship
Tulare County Office of Education Administration Building, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia (New Location!)
Thursday, March 9, 2023

The Tulare County Spelling Championship is coordinated by the Tulare County Office of Education in partnership with the Times-Delta Media Group (Visalia Times-Delta / Tulare Advance Register). This event is open to all fourth through eighth grade Tulare County students (public, private & homeschool). The county spelling champion will have the opportunity to go on to represent Tulare County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland in June 2023!

Schools may register for this event by submitting this Intent to Participate form by December 15, 2022. Upon receipt of the Intent to Participate, we will register your school for both the Tulare County Spelling Championship and the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program. The fee to participate is $40 per school (TCOE will pay $135 of the $175 Scripps registration fee).

Preliminary rounds are conducted at the school sites with classroom and/or school-wide spelling bees. The top two students from each school (one champion and one alternate) are eligible to attend the countywide championship. Each year over 100 spellers are expected to compete. NOTE: Only one student per school (the champion speller) will participate in the county spelling bee. Alternates will only spell in the competition if the champion speller from their school is unable to participate.

Schools that enroll in the Tulare County / Scripps National Spelling Bee program receive the following benefits:

• Exclusive online access to the teachers-only section of spellingbee.com.

• Official pronouncer guides and word study lists for use in conducting classroom and school spelling bees.

• The Great Words, Great Works reading list with all source books, organized by reading level.
• Customizable certificates for your participants and school champion.

• Britannica Online for Kids: A one-year subscription to Britannica Online for Kids to award to your school champion.
If your school enrolls on or before September 30, your school receives TWO one-year subscriptions to Britannica Online for Kids.
• Awards: first, second, and third place trophies; cash awards and prizes will be awarded.

For more information about the Tulare County Spelling Championship,
contact Brook Killingsworth at (559) 733-6326 or brookk @tcoe.org.

Spelling Bees - How do you spell w-o-r-t-h-w-h-i-l-e?

Let's help students improve their spelling skills and increase their vocabularies – all through the fun of spelling bees! There are many benefits from this fun activity.

Learning Grammar

Preparation for a bee is a comprehensive learning process that encourages children to learn the definition, pronunciation, and roots of words.

Enhancing Vocabulary

The valuable learning outcome of spelling bees result in children gaining competency in spelling, reading and writing. The understanding of more words will improve literacy and allow children to enjoy reading a wider range of material.

Competitive Spirit

Spelling bees allow individuals to compete in a supportive environment. The brain activity and excitement that goes with a spelling bee is just as stimulating as a physical competition. A positive energy is created as students interact, support one another and cultivate friendships.

Greater Knowledge

Learning words can get students interested in tracing the origin of a word and its etymology. This information will enhance the knowledge base of a child, and motivate them to develop a keen interest in learning new words.

Cognitive Skills

Spelling bees allow children to develop cognitive skills including the ability to handle pressure. The learning process enhances a child's memory and helps them develop word analysis skills, which proves to be beneficial during higher education.

Confidence

A spelling bee helps them gain the confidence they need to speak in public and accept their mistakes, while also earning the applause their hard work deserves.