Jan. 12, 2008
To spell or not to spell
Posted in School Stuff
I tried to avoid thinking about it-- the "Just for Fun" Bee that is coming up in two weeks. Then I ran across this post by Rocks in My Dryer.
Dash is uber excited about the Bee and absolutely loves spelling! Why? Because it comes naturally to him and is by far the easiest subject for him in our homeschool. In fact, we usually do one word list a week (including the more difficult alternate words). Most weeks he gets 100% the first time around and, on a rare occasion, he might miss one word. Then the next day he spells that one word correctly. No problemo, easy-schmeasy.
So I worry about two things:
1. The disappointment he will feel if he does not make it past the first round.
2. The total anxiety and nervousness I will feel during the Bee-- as well as the time spent thinking about the Bee, preparing for it (like I have all the time in the world) and the actual even itself. It turns my stomach, y'all!
*sigh* It makes me think back to my spelling bee days. The spelling gene runs in the family... my DAD even won the spelling bee at his work! I know, who knew they had those things? He works in budgeting/finance at Lockheed, won the company Bee and then went on to the regional competition. Yup, you heard me right-- he moved on to the next level (it may have been called something different). It was essentially other companies sending their best spellers to compete. Just thinking about it totally makes me laugh! I love my daddy!
Anyhoo, this "just for fun bee" makes me nervous. *I* really really really want to back out. My mom still quizzes me on "television"... the dreaded word that *I* missed in my school spelling bee in 2nd grade. I got a really big second place trophy but have been haunted by that word ever since!
Oh, and in the 5th grade I missed "doornail." But I'm telling ya, I spelled it right!!! I just happen to mumble and go very quickly when I'm nervous and the judge did not hear me say the "i". Come on, who would ever spell doornail without the "i"?! Give me some credit here. The humiliation. The agony of defeat. Oi.
So, has anyone won the big tamale of spelling bees? I know y'all have spelling bee stories to share-- both good and bad. I want to hear them! Why? Because it's fun. And I don't want to feel alone in my anxiety of the dreaded "just for fun" bee. See how I'm putting the "just for fun" in the :quote: :unquote:? Yup. I have no idea WHO it could possibly be fun for! Ack!
Oh and a couple of words that are on the list for this K-3rd grade "Just for Fun" Bee are minuend and docile. I hope he gets a couple of the other words on this same list... words like in and gut!
Comments
Jan. 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I was in a few as a gradeschooler, but obviously it wasn't very momentous....I can't remember how I did, or what words I missed.
snore.
Good luck to your little man.
Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com
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Jan. 14, 2008 - Spelling is my Weak Subject
Posted by snider6intx
I stink in spelling and was terrified even in the little bees we had just in our class room. My son takes after me. In fact I have him using AVKO Sequential Spelling even though he is not dyslexic. One good thing about homeschooling though is that "I" (for one) am definitely becoming a much better speller! LOL
All joking aside I feel I was one of those kids left behind in PS when it comes to spelling. (I don't remember learning using phonics. I just remember having to memorize a list each week.) Hopefully being homeschooled will allow my son to overcome his spelling hangups now rather than as an adult like I did.
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Jan. 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Ruth
I was in the Spelling Bee in 5th grade. I get so nervous when I have to get up and speak that no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get the words out right. It was like my mind was blank and I needed to write out the word and see it before I could say it. Of course, you can't do that during the contest so I was quickly eliminated.
I hope that your son will do wonderfully.
Ruth
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Jan. 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CoCo
The last spelling bee I remember being a part of was in the 5th grade. I won my class spelling bee and moved on to the 5th grade spelling bee. I was eliminated in the first round when I missed "boomerang"...... I'm sure I didn't spell that right. LOL. Don't laugh at me.
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Jan. 15, 2008 - bees
Posted by Jimmie
That's amazing that you STILL remember the "losing" words. Bummer. But we always dwell on mistakes, don't we?
I am a good speller, but I've never liked bees. I can't spell outloud! I have to write it, see it, to spell. I'm a visual learner.
Can't wait to hear how it turns out. I think it will be a great learning experience!
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Jan. 15, 2008 - Hello!
Posted by rjdjohn316
Hello Mrs. Marshie-
Yes, it was very fun and with the two most adorable babies in the world here, it was so much more fun! I agree: I'm sure it was a lovely sight!
That's funny about the cookies! I don't think I could've finished them completely! lol :)
I know you are busy, and I don't always get to stop by your blog all the time, so don't feel bad. Mom trys to use the bloglines as much as she can! I didn't know that anyone had me on their bloglines. Thank you forr putting me on there! :)
I blogged the pictures of when the Suarezs' came last time, if you want to see them. :)
Thank you for visiting me! Always a pleasure to receive a comment from you!
Have a lovely day and many blessings!
Love,
Rachel
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Jan. 15, 2008 - Spelling Bee
Posted by Grandpa
Go Austin!!!! When you come up, we can practice if you want to!
Love Grandpa
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Jan. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by blessedwith2angels
My daughter advanced to the regional spelling bee (the one right below the National bee) and placed 13th out of 88 kids. The other year she competed she got sick and couldn't attend the regional competition. My son hates spelling and refuses to participate in any spelling bee. We are not sure where my daughter gets her spelling gene from, but I know where my son got his! Good luck to your son. I'm am sure he will do terrific!
Pam
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Jan. 15, 2008 - Hey There!
Posted by mom26kidz
I always loved the spelling bees at school, because I usually did very well. But, I never competed in a large bee. I wish your son luck and fun! I bet he will do great! Let us know!
You were so funny to comment on my blog how I needed you to stay away from my html! lol Check out my new blog theme and tell me what you think!
Donna Scott
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Jan. 15, 2008 - hi!
Posted by Anonymous
marsha! hey - i'm sorry it's taken so long to get over here! i've dropped in before from chickadee (rlf) and now we're writin' together. small world gettin' smaller!
i love spelling bees! i lost in the fourth grade on the word "armaments" i didn't know it was plural. and didn't ask for the definition. spelled it armamence. argh. my honey and i still watch the big one on tv! hope all goes well, for both of you!
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Jan. 15, 2008 - yeah, that would be me
Posted by Anonymous
that last comment was me - suzanne (SillyMe @ JoyfulChaos). sorry.
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Jan. 16, 2008 - Oh
Posted by SuperAngel
I love spelling. It was my favorite subject. I always excelled and still do at it.
I hope Dash gets FIRST!! Go Homeschoolers!!
Thanks for coming by. Yes, Its fixed now!! haha
Love, Prayers and Blessings,
Amanda
http://superangelsblog.com
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Jan. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MandyMo.com
Ah, he'll have fun. We cannot shelter our children from everything, so if he doesn't make it to a particular round, that's just the way it is. It'll be a good opportunity to teach him how to handle disappointment, and if he does make it, it'll be a great time to teach him about winning graciously!
I think the nerves will mostly be on your part, which I totally understand!
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Jan. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MandyMom.com
Oops, I misspelled my URL.. I put MandyMo.. instead of MandyMom!
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Jan. 17, 2008 - abate, abbreviate, abolish,...
Posted by EEEEMommy
I'm a great speller! It was always my best subject in elementary school. But I NEVER did well in the spelling bee. I'm not sure why, and I survived the defeat, but still, it never made sense to me. Math was the same way. In high school, my Math teachers always wanted me to compete. I would warn them that I was horrible at timed, multiple choice, tests, but they'd insist I'd do great, only to be completely shocked when my test scores were in the bottom half. Test anxiety, spelling bee anxiety, I don't know. Regardless, I'm confident in my ability. I don't rely on spell check, and I took Calculus in college just for fun to raise my GPA. Just don't ask me to prove it by taking a standardized test! I do wonder if my kids will be like me in this regard. I hope not. It's frustrating!
I hope the bee is a fun experience and not a nerve wracking one!
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Jan. 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by dawilli
I spelled boulevard wrong in 6th grade... haven't been able to live that one down...
He'll do great, and you have fun, relax and enjoy the ride!
Enjoy them,
ali
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Jan. 18, 2008 - Rachel
Posted by Keeptheway
You are just too funny! I never entered a Spelling Bee as a child.... way too scared of public humiliation! One of the groups I am in has one every year -- we will see if my girls participate....I'll have to see how it goes for Austin and if they give NORMAL words as well! Who comes up with these lists??? It reminds me of one of my favorite Full House episodes when Stephanie was in a Spelling Bee... I think that was the one that taught me how to spell Success. "Double the 's', double the 'c' and then you have success!" Thanks Full House, that still gets me out of scrapes sometimes!!
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