Archive for May, 2008

May 05 2008

O… Shucks!

Published by MissSpelling under Main Floor

When you’ve begun spelling the word, and you’ve recited a letter, you can not retract it. So say the rules for the National Spelling Bee, which are the same rules upheld by the Adult Spelling Bee annually in Long Beach, California.

I was eliminated on the word “daguerreotype.”

Now here’s what i did, but here too is what I could have done had I been clever enough at the time:

First, what i did:
I knew the daguerreotype was invented by Louis Daguerre. I knew that. I also speculated that when they made up the word, they omitted the final “e” of his name, just because it would make the word more pronounceable.

I guessed that the next letter after those terrifying double-r’s would be the “o”.

And that’s where what I should have done, had I been clever enough at the time, comes in:

I could have allowed for an awkward pause after cresting over the “o”, and then said, “Oh, did you think i said the letter “o,” because I didn’t. I was just about to say a colloquial expression i use when i’m anxious sometimes. i was about to say “oh shucks!”

“Yeah! That’s the ticket! I was going to say, “Oh shucks, isn’t the next letter an “e?”

“Yes, that’s it. the next letter is an ‘e’. Now allow me to start over, please:
D-A-G-U-E-R-R—-E—-O-T-Y-P-E.”

Do you think I could have gotten away with that?

No responses yet

May 05 2008

Mitch’s Pronunciation Picks

Published by MissSpelling under Pronunciation

No responses yet

May 03 2008

Spelling Bee DVDs

Published by MissSpelling under Library, Spelling

No responses yet

May 03 2008

Software for Spelling

Published by MissSpelling under Library, Spelling

 


SpellCoach Junior
by BeeWizards.com $29.95 (Windows only)

 

 

  • SpellCoach is designed to coach students in k-3 grades who aspire to participate in Scripps Spelling Bee from 4th grade onwards
  • Spellcoach provides voice and text pronunciation, etymology and meaning and evaluates the spelling entered by the student. Misspelled words are tracked for the following sessions
  • The product presents words by language of origin and complexity in alphabetical order as well as in a random order to provide real life practice
  • The product has 2000+ words appropriate for Junior Spelling bees which are challenging enough for kids in grades 1-3.

The CD addresses a major challenge faced by Spelling Bee aspirants. They need someone to quiz them over and over as well as track their progress till they learn all the words . SpellCoach Jr quizzes them and gives feedback on where they stand in learning the entire list.
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JumpStart Study Helpers Spelling Bee
Other products by Vivendi Universal
Platform: Windows, Macintosh
CD-ROM

Product Description

From Children’s Software Revue® — “Subscribe Now!” 

Three simple activities drill typical math problems found in grades 1-5. Galactic Pinball lets children select answers to problems by maneuvering a ball through a moving maze. Digihog Drop lets them create math equations, while Asteroid Smash lets kids shoot correct answers out of the sky. The games are fairly fun, but the asteroids equation is the best of the three for promoting speed as well as accuracy. The software keeps records of progress (children sign in) and can be played in English or Spanish. Parents can add custom problems to the games and can print out customized worksheets. Content covers six levels of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals and percentages. The bottom line? This program succeeds in delivering fast-paced, on target practice.. .and it’s a lot more fun than flash cards.Copyright © 2001 Children’s Software Revue 

Product Description

How do you get your child to study for spelling tests? Make it into a game! With JumpStart Study Helpers, your child simply enters his weekly spelling words into the computer and starts playing. With arcade-style activities, playing the games means your child is practicing the words and improving their test scores!
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SNAP! Spelling Bee (Jewel Case)

Other products by TOPICS Entertainment

Platform:Windows 98 / Me / 2003 Server / 95
Product Features

  • Challenging word-building game that generates a lot of buzz
  • Form longest words possible, using adjacent letters in the honeycomb
  • Use every letter in grid at least once, then swarm to the next level
  • But don’t bumble–as time lapses, the pressure mounts.
  • For 1 player

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    Customized Tutoring in Spelling & Vocabulary - Annual Membership

    Other products by eSpindle Learning

    Product Features

    • Website provides customized tutoring based on 100,000 word database, complete with audio, definitions, samples, sample audio and extensive online resources
    • Personalized learning profile focuses on your skill level, goals and words you need to practice
    • Add your own words or follow the tutoring modules of www.eSpindle.org
    • Effective & efficient - organizes your studies. Good for all learning styles. Award-winning website!
    • Learn anywhere, anytime. This program is web-based, so there is nothing to download, install, or worry about.

      • Product Description
      Imagine a website that provides customized tutoring sessions based on your goals, skill level, and personal problem words. Using clear audio, memory-stimulating definitions and examples, and extensive online resources, eSpindle is perfect for all ages 7 plus (even adults) and all skill levels. Our members include Spelling Bee hopefuls (special tutoring module with 30,000 words likely to appear in a competition), English language learners (teaches spelling, pronunciation and meaning in one easy step), students with learning disabilities (patient research-based process), home schoolers, continuing education (custom module teaches the 1,500 most commonly misspelled words). Drawing on a database of over 100,000 words, our patent-pending technology creates personalized learning sessions that patiently practice problem words, while allowing users and teachers to add their own words for priority study. Words that are misspelled are repeated over subsequent sessions until they are spelled correctly every time. eSpindle teaches words five times as fast as any traditional method. Performance reports are automatically updated for easy supervision, and results are guaranteed for those who participate regularly. *** Please add the reduced membership price into your shopping cart now. Then visit www(dot)eSpindle(dot)org and sign up for your 10 day free trial. If you would like to become a member after your trial, get your 10% discount by ordering through Amazon. Simply enter your user name on the order form, and you’re done. *** Founded by a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, this website is the most extensive and at the same time easiest spelling tutoring program available. We want to provide low-cost, personalized and effective online tutoring support that equips students with lifelong tools for complex thought and confident communication. eSpindle Learning matches every paid membership with a scholarship for a disadvantaged student.
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      ARCMEDIA Spelling Bee (Windows/Macintosh)

      Other products by SelectSoft Publishing
      Product Features

      • Just hear the word used, then spell it before time runs out. Spell it right and you’ll see a picture — spell it wrong and you’re out of the game!
      • Choose the level of difficulty — easy words, hard words, they’re all here
      • Play alone or with a friend — special score cards let you see who’s the best speller!

        • Product Description
        Learning to spell has never been more fun or easy with Spelling Bee. Just listen to the word and hear it in a sentence, then try to spell the word. Spell the word right and you’ll see a photograph! For children and adults.
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        Spelling Bee Site License
        Other products by Knowledge Adventure $368

        Product Description
        MODEL- HAVCD85337WMAE VENDOR- KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE FEATURES- JumpStart Study Helpers Spelling Bee- Site License Site License is for 15 users. Improve every students spelling skills. Grades 1 through 5. Encourage students to study for spelling tests with the all-new JumpStart Study Helpers Spelling Bee. Students can enter their weekly spelling words or work from the 2000 pre-programmed words and begin studying! With five grades of vocabulary content and multiple levels of difficulty, this program presents an opportunity to study in an interactive learning environment focused on the current classroom curriculum - with positive results! The ability to tailor the programs vocabulary content and activities is a great advantage for students and educators. The special editing feature allows you to input additional vocabulary words. Whats more, incorrect answers are recycled into additional practice activities. — CURRICULUM SKILLS — * Understand word families and diagraphs. * Learn short and long vowels. * Learn contractions and compound words. * Sight words. — SPECIAL FEATURES — * Five grades of content: 1st-5th Grade * Six challenging levels of difficulty * 2000 words pre-programmed into each activity * Expandable vocabulary database * A rich collection of extension activities printable for classroom use Requires- Macintosh: PowerMac G3 or better, 233MHz or better, Mac OS 8.6/9.2.1/10.1.2, 64 MB RAM, 100 MB available on hard drive, 16x CD-ROM drive, 640×480 screen resolution, 16-bit color Windows: Pentium 233MHz processor or faster, Win98/ME/2000/XP, 64 MB RAM, 100 MB available on hard drive.
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        SpellCoach Junior
        by BeeWizards.com $29.95

        Product Features

        * SpellCoach is designed to coach students in k-3 grades who aspire to participate in Scripps Spelling Bee from 4th grade onwards
        * Spellcoach provides voice and text pronunciation, etymology and meaning and evaluates the spelling entered by the student. Misspelled words are tracked for the following sessions
        * The product presents words by language of origin and complexity in alphabetical order as well as in a random order to provide real life practice
        * The product has 2000+ words appropriate for Junior Spelling bees which are challenging enough for kids in grades 1-3.

        Product Description
        The CD addresses a major challenge faced by Spelling Bee aspirants. They need someone to quiz them over and over as well as track their progress till they learn all the words . SpellCoach Jr quizzes them and gives feedback on where they stand in learning the entire list.

One response so far

May 03 2008

Adult Spelling Bee - Three

Published by MissSpelling under Main Floor

The Adult Spelling Bee will be held in Long Beach this Sunday, May 4th.

Adult Spelling Bee

for more Information about this spelling bee, see http://www.AdultSpellingBee.com/

No responses yet

May 02 2008

She’ll Put A Spell On You

Published by MissSpelling under Library

Wait until Miss Spelling comes through those doors. She’ll have you spellbound! An overwhelming feeling of power will begin to envelop you as she unwinds her simple memory methods to help you remember all those tricky English spelling and grammar rules.

You’ll find that her charming analogies, wordplays, and mnemonic devices finally catalyze that knowledge for you, and arm you with not just a powerful vocabulary and great confidence in proper English usage and grammar, but a superior ability overall, to dominate any literary circle.

If you’re not quite feeling that brave just yet, please stick around the library. Miss Spelling has a dazzling staff of equally-talented librarians to help you do the thing you like doing the best; and that’s communicate effectively and eloquently.

One response so far