Timberline Middle School Spelling Bee 2021 

Congratulations to all our Timberline spellers who participated in the Spelling Bee Program this year!  We are so proud of them for working to improve their spelling and vocabulary. 

Thanks also to the families and community for your support and encouragement as those students studied words and more words!  The Spelling Bee is much more than rote memorization; our competitors learned vocabulary, pronunciation, etymology, and improved literacy and their public speaking skills too! 

Winner:         Sihan Chen (7th grade)    winning words:   “IMPORTUNATE” and "SEETHE"

Runner-Up:   Suraj Shivakumar (8th grade)     winning word:  “FASCINATOR” 

  Good luck to Sihan, who will represent Timberline Middle School, at the upcoming Regional Spelling Bee of King + Snohomish County. 

Please join us next year for the third annual Timberline Spelling Bee! 

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Archived Details of the 2020-2021 Spelling Bee

Timberline PTSA is sponsoring the 2^nd annual TMS  S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G  B-E-E! 

Spelling Bee is a test of word spellings and their meanings.  It is a great way for students to improve their spelling, increase their vocabulary, and learn and develop correct English usage concepts that will help them all their lives.  Spelling Bee is a great way for students to expand their word knowledge and stand up in front of their peers and compete in a friendly way. 

 NEW FOR 2021

 Scripps has developed an online testing platform that will allow us to conduct our school Spelling Bee virtually over the web.  Students simply need a device with a web browser.

ENROLLMENT

 Timberline PTSA is pleased to offer the Spelling Bee program at no charge this year.  We encourage all of our parents to support the Timberline PTSA by becoming a member.  Click here to join.   

 REGISTER HERE before Monday, January 11, 2021.  *Important – please note:   We are unable to accommodate any requests to register or reopen form after the close of registration deadline.

 Only registered students may participate in the TMS Spelling Bee and receive access to the Scripps National Spelling Bee Study List.  After registering with Timberline PTSA, parents must also create a Scripps account so their student(s) can take the Timed Online Qualifying Test via the new Scripps online testing platform.  More information about how to do this will be provided once registration is received.

  IMPORTANT DATES (UPCOMING EVENTS)    

IMPORTANT DATES (PAST EVENTS)  

 Register: Thursday, Dec. 17th, 2020 at 7:00pm through Monday, January 11, 2021 11:45pm

STUDY SESSIONS  (optional)

 The study sessions are optional.  Students may wish to form their own study groups, or they may choose to study independently.  Students may also choose to attend the Friday FLEX Study Sessions.  Details regarding the study sessions will be emailed to the registered students.

STUDY LIST

 After registering for the TMS Spelling Bee, students will receive the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Study List via email.

QUALIFYING ROUNDS AND FINAL SPELLING BEE

 The Timed Online Qualifying Test is a combination of new, unstudied words plus words from the Scripps National Spelling Bee Study List.  This timed test is spelling AND vocabulary and may be multiple choice or type in the word.  Testing format will be emailed beforehand.  The Scripps Online Testing Platform chooses the words; schools do not create the questions.  Additionally, there will be NO make-up written test because it is a live test measured against other participants.   In the event of a tie or equal finish during the preliminary test, new words will be given until the top scorers are identified.  

 The top thirteen scores from the Timed Preliminary Test plus two winners from the two optional Group Session Kahoot games (15 finalists) will advance to the Mock Spelling Bee and Final School Spelling Bee Preliminary Test (15 finalists) will advance to the Mock Spelling Bee and Final School Spelling Bee.  Due to King County covid restrictions, the Final School Spelling Bee will be held utilizing the Scripps Online Testing Platform, over Teams, rather than the traditional in-person competition. Follow this web page for new information, virtual links, and updated timeline as posted events and corresponding dates are tentative and subject to change.  Students  have access to a device to log on to the Scripps Online Testing Platform and Teams in order to participate in the Timed Online Qualifying Test and Final School Spelling Bee. 

 One winner will represent TMS at the Regional Spelling Bee in Seattle on Saturday, March 27, 2021.

The runner-up will serve as an alternate winner and represent TMS at the Regional Spelling Bee should the winner not attend for any reason.

 If you have any questions, feedback, or would like to volunteer, please email Timberline PTSA Spelling Bee Coordinator, Ann Cygan, at [email protected]

 ELIGIBILITY    https://spellingbee.com/eligibility

 Students must not have passed beyond the eighth grade AND not have reached his/her 15^th birthday on or before August 31, 2020. 

RULES & RESOURCES

Local Spelling Bee Rules  spellingbee.com/rules  Full eligibility criteria and official rules at the local level. 

Merriam-Webster Unabridged  https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/   is the “final authority and sole source for the spelling of words; the primary source used to craft the pronunciations, definitions and language origins for the Scripps National Spelling Bee word lists; and the only authority to be consulted by spelling bee officials.” 

How to Study for a Spelling Bee by Scripps National Spelling Bee pronouncer, Dr. Jacques Bailly - https://spellingbee.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/How%20to%20Study%20for%20a%20Spelling%20Bee.pdf 

Online Testing Platform  https://spellingbee.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/OTP%20Instructions_Parents.pdf 

Online Testing Platform  - YouTube Tutorial for Parents  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ThKRsffiFc