2010 Pronouncers Charles Trueheart and Anne Swardson
2010 Judges during Oral Finals
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PARIS SPELLING BEE:
Registration for the 2012 Paris Spelling Bee is now open for students in CE2 through 4ème (3rd through 8th grade). See details on the 2012 Invitation page on this blog. Participants will be divided into two groups: Gazelles for CE2-CM2 (3rd-5th grade) and Cheetahs for 6ème-4ème (6th-8th grade). Registration for the 2012 Bee (by mail) closes on Thursday, 19 January 2012. The Preliminary Written Competition will be held on Saturday, 4 February 2012. Finalists from the preliminary competition will then compete in the Oral Finals of the Paris Spelling Bee on Sunday, 25 March 2012.
1. Q: How do I sign up for the 2012 Paris Spelling Bee?
A: 2012 Registration forms are available by clicking here (as of 10 November 2011) , or go to our 2012 Registration page, or you can send us your email address and we’ll add your information to the e-list. After receiving the form, you need to fill it out, print it, have a parent sign it and send it by post with the registration fee. Registration is first come first served, and limited to the first 100 applicants. To add your name or your school’s contact to our electronic updates, please email parisfrancespellingbee@gmail.com.
2. Q: How many finalists will be chosen from the 4 February 2012 Preliminary Written Round?
A: We can accommodate a maximum of 20 finalists for the Gazelles and 20 finalists for the Cheetahs.
3. Q: Is there a study list for the Preliminary Written Round?
A: Yes, it will be made available to registered participants by email and posted on this blog on 1 December under “2012 Study Words.” Be sure to study the list for your group, based on your current grade level/division (Gazelles or Cheetahs).
4. Q: What if I need help with the words on the study list?
A:Click Here or go to http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary for help with pronunciation and definition.
5. Q: How does the Preliminary Written Round work?
A: Once you have mailed in your completed and signed registration form with the indicated registration fee, you will receive a confirmation by email. All registrations must be postmarked on or before Thursday 19 January. At the Preliminary Written Round on Saturday, 4 February 2012, location to be announced, you will be given a sheet of paper and pencil; organizers will read out loud a list of words and you will be asked to write them down. There are two rounds in the preliminary written event. The first round will consist of about 25 words, which will be taken from the study guide. The second will consist of about 10 words, most of which will come from a ‘surprise,’ list. Scores from the second round are taken into consideration to break a tie or reduce the number of Finalists to 20 in each division.
6. Q: What happens if I am among the Finalists?
A: You will receive an additional study list for the Oral Finals to be held on Sunday 25 March 2012, and receive an invitation to the mock/practice session on Sunday 11 March 2012. On this day, you’ll learn more about contest rules, meet other finalists and have a little fun during a brief ‘mock’ session.
7. Q: What’s the difference between the Written Round and the Oral Finals of the Paris Spelling Bee?
A: At the Written Round, you will be asked to write down the words, whereas at the Oral Finals you will be asked to spell them out loud.
8. Q: Are there upcoming activities to help me learn more about spelling bees?
A: Yes, there are three fun events coming up:
a. Saturday 15 October 2011 — Spelling Bee Hornet — 15h00-16h00, at the American Library in Paris, come join us for the Spelling Bee Hornet, a modern-day twist on the Spelling Bee using American slang. Ages 8-14. Space limited to 15 participants, please RSVP with Celeste at rhoads@americanlibraryinparis.org. For more information click here. For questions about this activity, please email Ashley Miller at aemiller02@gmail.com.
b. Saturday 14 January 2012: Two events on the same day.
– Introduction to Spelling Bees — 15h00-16h00, for children ages 7-14, at the American Library in Paris (ALP). Must RSVP with the ALP. (See the Bee blog for info)
– Family Movie Pizza Night — 18h30-21h00, at the American Library in Paris. Open to the entire family. We will screen the movie Akeelah and the Bee. (This event is now FULL)
9. Q: Who is organizing the Paris Bee?
A: The Paris Spelling Bee is organized by Gifted in France, in collaboration with the The American Library in Paris and hosted by the American University of Paris. We are grateful to the ALP and AUP for their continued support of this community-wide enrichment event open to children throughout Paris. PSB is generally modeled after typical American spelling bees held at regional, state and national levels.
10. Q: What if a company, an association or an individual wants to make a donation to help defray the costs of holding the Bee?
A: Paris Spelling Bee is a volunteer-run event. The registration fees help pay for the trophies, venues, security, cleaning, supplies, certificates, etc. Institutions, companies and individuals wishing to help us offset our expenses and keep the Bee growing each year are encouraged to contact Helen or Kim at : parisfrancespellingbee@gmail.com. We also welcome volunteers who want to help the Bee Committee make a difference in the community through this educational activity.
11. Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Email further questions to parisfrancespellingbee@gmail.com.
12. Q: What if my school needs more information for the students?
A: Your school can request to have a volunteer come and explain the Bee to your students. If we are available we will be happy to help.
13. Q: Are there studying tips and ways to promote spelling bees for students and teachers?
A: Here are some links you can click on: How to study difficult words, and How to Study for a Spelling Bee. See “Useful Links,” on the front page of our blog, there are many links to spelling bee games and resources. Also, check tips for students and for teachers by the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the US (http://www.spellingbee.com/students-parents and http://www.spellingbee.com/teachers).
Thank you for your continued interest, and best of luck to our 2012 contestants!
Helen, Jude, Naida, Ashley, Amy, Cate, Kim and Rose.
2012 Paris Spelling Bee Committee
(revised 30 Nov 11)
- Cheetahs: Finalist for the 2010 Paris Spelling Bee. Top L to R: Sibylle XATART , Casper SANDERSON, Jivahn MORADIAN, Cody VANCE, Paris PRYOR, Shannon CONNELLY, Sasha TSOVMA, Yasmeen KARKACHI. Bottom L to R: Christopher HEIM, Julien DUDAS, Benjamin MACINTYRE, Mia CABANTOUS, William BROWN
Gazelles at the 2010 PARIS SPELLING BEE: L-R, Holly O'NEIL, Celine SON, Sooan OH, Alexia HASHEM, Julia CONNELLY, Emma NEWMAN, Tuli BENNETT-BOSE (397), Niamh HOWLEY (behind out of view), Matteo BOISSIERE (215), Mallory LEWIS, Taylor LANGDON (in the back), Sophia FUNG, Sabrina BLACK (765), Maxim BOUFFARD (in the back), Elodie FREY, Shane HOEBERICHTS (586)
