Please read these instructions carefully as there are
changes to dates, words and the process in general
6 GRADE SPELLING BEE 2015-2016
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The aim of the competition is to enhance vocabulary
acquisition and to motivate pupils not only to write
correctly but to succeed in learning English.
The competition is for ALL pupils in the sixth grade,
on all levels; therefore all pupils should participate in
the weekly dictations and be part of the learning
process.
Due to the huge success of the spelling bee in the last
few years, we have decided to change the process
and make the area competitions a final for that area
rather than having two regional finals. We feel that
more pupils should be winners so we will hold area
finals rather than regional finals (more details further
on).
General Instructions
Please note the change in dates. The regional
competitions will take place before Pesach/ Easter spring
break in order to avoid end of year pressure.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Location
School
Area Final
Number of
pupils
ALL 6 grade
pupils
Up until 26 of
February
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Dates
Words
120 words
1 school finalist
From 6 of March – 6
of April
Additional 100 words
(total 220 words)
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Stage 1 – School Level
All pupils should be taught each of the words within
context in order to ensure meaningful learning, and not
only as isolated words. At least 10-12 dictations should be
given on the initial 120 words. It is up to the school to
decide how many pupils to include in the school
competition based on the results of the dictations.
The school competition should not take place after
February 25th, 2016 so that you have enough time to
send in the names of competitors no later than
February 26th 2016. Emails sent after this date will not
be accepted and the students will not be able to
participate in the competition.
On the day of the school competition all sixth grade pupils
should be invited to watch the school final. This should be
a challenging and fun day for all.
All pupils should be involved in preparations for the school
competition – for example in creating invitations preparing
posters and signs, bringing food, being cheerleaders and
official Spelling Bee reporters and camera men etc.
The school finalists should sit together in front of the
audience. The English teacher chooses 10 words from the
school list for each round. The teacher should say the
word, use it in a sentence, and repeat the word again.
After giving all 10 words, the teacher should repeat all 10
words again in one go. The pupils write down the 10
words on the page in front of them without the Hebrew
translation.
After each round the pages are collected and marked
immediately by the teaching staff. The first two rounds are
cumulative – the competitors who continue to the 3 round
are those pupils with no spelling mistakes in the first two
rounds.
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During this marking period it is suggested that there is
some kind of fill in entertainment or other activity in
English.
From the 3 round, pupils who spell the words correctly
continue on to future rounds.
The rounds continue until there is 1 finalist who will go on
to the area final. In schools where there are native
speaking competitors, the school may send in 2 finalists
(one native and one non-native). As always, native
speakers compete against each other.
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(Please Note: In case of a tie, words will be given to
the pupils not from the wordlist but from the same
word family, topic, spelling pattern, or same root as
words on the list e.g.: understand /
understanding, supper/breakfast)
Your pupils should be prepared in advance that not
everyone can reach the final and need to be shown how to
accept the possibility of losing and being proud of what
they have achieved. Certificates should be given to all
participants and a special certificate to the winners and
runners-up.
Names of the finalists of the school competition must be
sent in English only by email to:
Arab sector participants:
walaa.essawi@gmail.com
Jewish sector participants:
haifaspellingbee@gmail.com by the 26th of February.
Please fill in all the details on the attached form
concerning the pupils.
Please write the details of your school and pupils
clearly in English only to prevent unpleasantness on
the day of the area final.
Stage 2 – Area Final
As noted, the area competition will now be a final and
there will no longer be a regional final. Therefore, each
school will only send ONE finalist who will compete
against other finalists in their area and a winner will be
declared in each area (Haifa, Hadera, Krayot, Baka).This
will allow for more pupils to become winners since we
have so many taking place. Each school delegation
should include the finalist and up to 7 supporters (a total of
10 pupils) and 1-2 teachers. Please do not invite parents
and other relatives to participate.
Additional words are added to the competition. (120
+100).
Each school competing must come to the area
competition with pupils wearing a white shirt and
appropriate clothing, food for the pupils and a
video as in last year’s regional final.
YOU ARE ASKED TO bring A VIDEO UP TO 2 MINUTES OF
THE CONTESTANTS SAYING A FEW THINGS ABOUT
THEMSELVES. THIS CAN BE DONE INDIVIDUALLY OR
TOGETHER, WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGLISH
TEACHER/HOMEROOM TEACHER/PRINCIPAL.
IT CAN BE INDOORS/OUTDOORS/IN THE STUDENTS' HOUSE
OR AT SCHOOL. STUDENTS CAN TALK ABOUT THEIR
HOBBIES, FAMILY, FRIENDS, SPECIAL INTERESTS, THEIR
ENGLISH STUDIES ETC. PLEASE BE AS CREATIVE AS YOU
CAN. PLEASE MAKE SURE VIDEOS ARE CHECKED BY YOU
BEFORE.
The area finals work on the same lines as the school
competition. Again, in case of a tie pupils will be given
words that are not on the area or regional final list of
words.
Each school is responsible for getting to and from the
area final.
For further questions, please make sure to write
only to:
Arab sector participants:
walaa.essawi@gmail.com
Jewish sector participants:
haifaspellingbee@gmail.com
Wishing you and your students joy and success in the
learning process.
Amalia Naama – English Inspector
Elian Lassman – District Counselor
Haifa District Counselors' Team