Spelling Bee Preparation

Step by step
By Carlos Pineda Sánchez
6-12 Months Before the SpellingBee
• Ideally, a team of 2-4 people will share the organizational
responsibilities.
• Decide who will compete in your spelling bee. (one classroom, one
grade, several grades, several schools, etc.) This should be done at the
beginning of the school year.
• Reserve the facilities and set a date for the spelling bee.
• Publicize the date and eligibility rules for students. Notify teachers,
students, parents, administrators.
• Contact local businesses, if necessary, to help sponsor your event.
3-6 Months In Advance
• Decide what word lists you will use. Let spellers know in advance. The
well-known Scripps National Spelling Bee uses only Webster's Third
New International Dictionary of the English Language.
• You may want to use your school's spelling workbook word lists, some
of the word lists on this site, or make your own list. Whatever you
decide, be sure that students have this information in advance, as
early as possible. Keep in touch with sponsors throughout the
process.
3-6 Months In Advance
• Choose your Spelling Bee pronouncers and judges. Double-check their
availability for your date.
• If your bee will be held at a location other than your own school,
arrange to have someone attend your event who is familiar with the
building. Be sure you have someone to run the sound system.
• Decide on your spelling bee rules. Send written copies to students,
parents, teachers, judges and pronouncers.
1-2 Months In Advance
• Decide on prizes. Order medals, trophies and certificates at least 6
weeks in advance. Or print your own from online sources. Print or
make name tags.
• Check back with all participants frequently. One month before the
spelling bee, send a note to all classrooms, pronouncers and judges
reminding them of the date. Tell them what time to be at the
competition.
• Get a list of students who are expected to participate.
1-2 Months In Advance
• Call local newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations to let them
know about the SpellingBee.
• Invite sponsors to attend.
• If you're feeling unprepared, we're here to help! There's still plenty of
time to order our Spelling Bee Toolboxes! Each one has all the
resources you need for a successful spelling bee. The graded volumes
are extremely well-priced and are available for immediate download.
1-2 Weeks In Advance
• If you're using a stage, be sure you have chairs, a podium,
microphones, and tables for the judges.
• Make name tags.
• Print out word lists for the pronouncers and judges. Gather
dictionaries, pencils, and recording charts for them
• Contact media personnel again and encourage them to cover your big
event.

• Be sure to announce the bee on your Facebook page!

The Day of the SpellingBee
• Arrive 2 hours early. Take with you word lists, dictionaries, recording
charts, pencils, awards and name tags.
• Check the sound system.
• Double-check seating.
• Welcome your spellers, staff and audience.
• Publicly thank sponsors, spellers, teachers, parents, staff and media.
• Enjoy the bee!