SPELLING BUZZ- Keep up with the latest news and information on all things spelling with The Spelling Buzz.

Hi Kids and parents,

This is Beats here, bringing you the latest buzz in the Spelling World!
There are some new changes coming soon to the “Scripps National Spelling Bee”.
In past competitions, contestants were allowed to ask for the definitions of words they were given to spell, well guys those days are over. The new Spelling Bee rules requires the contestant to both spell and define the words. How cool is that!!!!

This year a speller will also be evaluated on their vocabulary knowledge. “This is a significant change in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, but also a natural one,” said Paige Kimble, director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. “It represents a deepening of the Bee’s commitment to its purpose: to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage. For the first time in 86 years the scripps spelling bee spellers will have to know the the meanings, not just the spellings, of words. Computerized multiple choice vocabulary tests will be given in the semifinals and champion finals that will account for 50% of the spellers overall score .”Spelling and vocabulary are, in essence, two sides of the same coin,” said Kimble. “As a child studies the spelling of a word and its etymology, he will discover its meaning. As a child learns the meaning of a word, it becomes easier to spell. And all of this enhances the child’s knowledge of the English language.”

So kids, join me, Beats, and all of my monster friends in Spelltopia to continue our quest for the knowledge of all things spelling, by making sure we are not only spelling champs but also vocabulary champs. The Spell Monsters are up for the challenge! How about you?

The Scripps National Spelling Bee to begin on May 28–30 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md.

http://www.spellingbee.com/ruleschanges for the full article.