Do you remember your first spelling bee? I kinda do. It was nothing like the 2009 event won by 13 year old Kavya Shivashankar. She won a whopping $40,000 and a huge trophy. I think I got a ribbon and a cookie.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is an annual event. It has been running for 82 years! Check out some of the past champions and their winning words. I was looking over the list and my jaw about dropped as I perused the winning words.
Kavya Shivashankar won the 2009 spelling bee with: Laodicean, which means indifferent or lukewarm, especially in matters of religion. How interesting! I mean, ironic, with all the religious turmoil everywhere.
Since I have two girls, I am always interested in expanding their horizons. The oldest is going to driving school this summer, so she has lost interest in a lot of what I have to say outside of driving.
Now, the little one I still have tuned in. We have been working on writing and spelling. I know words like cat and dog are not spelling bee quality, but it is a start. Everyone has to start somewhere.
The other day my youngster brought me a letter. It read: NO ME HONOMO GO. There were also some cute little drawings of a couple of creatures holding hands and walking on a beach. I asked her to read it to me. She said, "Mom, take me to the pool please!"
So, with the illustrations I could have, maybe, gotten that. I really think I have a future spelling bee winner on my hands.
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Muse:
ReplyDeleteBravo for you--such a proud parent. Aren't they wonderful when they're so young and innocent. They think their parents are the smartest people in the world. What a great feeling.
Good luck, and happy trails.
Thanks for letting us know what that word was. I was wondering, as I had never even heard it before.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there's an irony here, with extremism running rampant in our world!
Cute pic, Muse! And I never won a spelling bee as I'm a touch dyslexic...
ReplyDeleteThey're so cute...then they turn into teenagers!
ReplyDeleteI hear they eventually become humans again...still waiting.
Hi Swu!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, when they are young, they are sooooo grand to be around. When they hit the teens, forget it.
Have a good one!
Hello Lynda!
ReplyDeleteThose words are insane. If you checked out the list, there were only a couple (from the beginnings) I would use in every day conversation.
Take care!
Hey Conda!
ReplyDeleteThanks! She's older than that now. But I just love that shot.
Spelling is not my forte anymore. Thank goodness for spell check!
Have a great day!
Hi J.L!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who calls it the "brain dead stage". I don't think they grow out of it until they have their own. Then they see how it is!
Take care!
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ReplyDeleteI'm a hopeless speller! Just ask my wife! This beautiful creature is a dictionary on two legs!
ReplyDeleteWith automated spellchecking in word processors, Hotmail, text messaging or even here, the spelling skills of the past are rarely needed to accomplish the task at hand.
Now what gets my goat? Abbreviated words, even common amongst us bloggers, are well used by the youth of today. So much so that it's hard to keep up with them all or understand them. Perhaps they're a code so parents won't know WHAT their children are up to!
Are we following their lead just to be hip? Far out! I don't believe I just wrote that.
Anyway, will good spellers one day stand along side the dinosaur in our museums. Heaven knows!
But as long as there are patient and willing parents like you, that day may never come!
Take Care,
Peter
Hey Peter!
ReplyDeleteSpell check has spoiled me. I don't understand texting, never will. That leetspeak kids do is insane and it is just another way to trip parents up.
Have a good one!
I can't imagine the pressure on kids today. Entering spelling bees for money? I think we used to get ribbons. Think I won a few, at the lowest level. But I hated to get up in front of a group.
ReplyDeleteThat is an adorable photo and it's great to hear about your parenting efforts and successes. It's hard work, but worth it!