Spelling bees nurture skills
Challenging young minds in the community on their skills for spelling words is the Lethbridge Public Library with their Spelling Mini-Bee.
Saturday afternoon, children in Grades 4 though 6 went up against over 20 other competitors to spell words properly in front of a panel of judges and a room full of people. The spelling bee helps teach kids not only how to spell words and expand their vocabulary, but also to help them develop skills in public presentation and speaking.
The Lethbridge Public Library offers children spelling courses to prepare them for the spelling bees, for a different grades and skill levels. Children work on them between spelling bees to master the skill before competing.
“The learning of spelling, of course, which is great for reading and academics as well,” says Jenny Cofell, Children’s Librarian. “They also have to stand in front of the judges and the audience and be able to spell and that is nerve-racking, and there is only one winner so they have to learn about losing which is OK and learn to be proud of what you did accomplish, life skills that way, too.”
One by one, the spellers went on stage and gave it their best. Skyler Van Dijk has been involved with spelling bees for the last four years, and although she has never won one, she continues to practise her words every day.
“I have been in spelling bees since Grade 1, it’s been pretty good but I have never actually won yet, but it gives me a chance to practise being in front of people,” says Van Dijk.
“Some people are in Grade 6 and maybe they have had more experience with the actual spelling bee, and the harder words that don’t sound like they are spelled, some of them have double letters that you can’t really hear, or they sound like an ‘s’ but they are actually an ‘x.’”
The winner of each spelling bee receives a big trophy, along with a variety of prizes that the library has offered including gift bags with candy and books to take home.
The Lethbridge Public Library hosts the spelling bees a couple times throughout the year, without a new round until the new year. For more information on programs that the library will be running through the winter season, visit
lethlib.ca.