Information for Judges
Event: Spelling Bee
2 Folders:
1. 1st folder
a. Instructions for contest
b. List of contestants in event with space for recording contestant number
c. Complete copy of rules from the website
2. 2nd folder
a. Spelling word list with example sentences
b. Score sheet divided into rounds
c. Copy of correct way to refer to special characters (accents, hyphens...) from
rules
c. Time tiebreaker list of sentences for dictation
d. Blank paper for sentence dictation (in case of need of time tie-breaker)
e. 1 sheet (stapled to folder) to record 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners
Other Materials
1. Numbered dry-erase boards, markers, erasing cloth (one per contestant)
2. Pencils
Preparation Procedure (15 minutes is scheduled for this)
1. As students come into room they will draw a number and be assigned a small dryerase board with that number taped to the back of their board. They and the judge will
use this number throughout the contest.
2. The assistant will then record each student’s number on the list of contestants.
3. Contestants will sit in number order in the room.
4. Before beginning, remind the students they must be absolutely quiet except when
spelling their words.
5. There is one hour scheduled for the entire contest. If after 50 minutes there remains
more than one contestant, the judge will use the time tiebreaker dictation sentences as
detailed below.
Contest Procedure
(Our original set of rules envisioned a more public contest with a pronouncer, and one
or more judges. For this first contest, trying to get a feel for how it will work, we felt it
better to use just one judge, with a student assistant. The event liaison may also help if
the judge and liaison feel it would be beneficial).
1. When the preparations are complete, the judge/pronouncer will begin with the first of
the level one words from the spelling list with contestant number one. Read the word
and the accompanying sentence, then repeat the word.
2. The student may ask for one repeat of the above.
3. The student may write the word on his/her dry-erase board, for his/her own use, but
must begin spelling the word aloud within 20 seconds.
4. After beginning to spell a word, the contestant can stop and start over, retracing
the spelling from the beginning, but in retracing there can be no change of letters
or their sequence from those first pronounced. If letters or their sequence is
changed, the contestant will be eliminated.
5. Mark on the score sheet, whether or not the student successfully spelled his/her
word. If the student misspelled the word, he/she is eliminated. If the eliminated
students wish to remain and observe the remainder of the contest, and do not
create a distraction, the judge may allow them to stay.
6. After a student misspells a word, the judge may not give the same word to the
next contestant, but will continue with the immediately following word (except at
the end when there only remain 2 contestants – see special procedure in rules).
7. After the first round, use the level 2 difficulty words. Keeping in mind the 1 hour
total limit, if there are sufficient numbers of students being eliminated, the judge
may opt to continue with level 2 words for a third round or move to level 3 (and
so on). There should be time for 5- 6 rounds (or perhaps more if many students
are eliminated early).
8. Always begin with the first word in a level and give them consecutively from the
list. Make sure there remain sufficient words for all remaining contestants in the
same difficulty level before starting a round at that level.
9. If in any round all of the students misspell their words, then none are eliminated
and they continue to the next round.
10. Use the special elimination procedure from the rules when the contestants are
reduced to two. It will not be necessary if a winner emerges from a round with
more than two contestants.
11. It is not necessary to have a 2nd and 3rd place finisher in this event. If there are
clear 2nd and 3rd place contestants, they can be recorded on the results sheet
along with the winner (stapled to the folder).
12. If more than one contestant remains at the 50 minute mark, and it appears
unlikely that it will be complete in the one hour time limit, give the remaining
contestants paper and pencil and begin the time tie-breaker round.
13. Give one sentence at a time, repeat it only once more, and students will write the
sentence. Check the sentences. Any errors in spelling, capitalization or
punctuation will result in elimination. If all the students make errors, the student
with the least number of errors will be declared the winner. Repeat this as
needed until there is a clear winner.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!