illinois state senior spelling bee 2016...

Updated December 8, 2015

Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee

2016 Handbook

Welcome Welcome to the Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee! Thank you for being a part of the official spelling skills competition of the Association of Illinois Senior Centers and the Illinois Department on Aging and for providing this opportunity to the seniors of your community. We hope that you are excited to promote and execute a competition that will be a memorable experience for everyone involved. This statewide program provides Illinois adults age 50 and older the opportunity to showcase a lifetime of knowledge and to celebrate years of experience through their spelling abilities, allow continual learning, and keep their brains active. The competition is easy to execute and the program includes three levels of competition, including the State Finals at the 2016 Illinois State Fair on Senior Day, Monday, August 15 inside the Illinois Building Auditorium at 1p.m.

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Updated December 8, 2015 2

Table of Contents Welcome ...................................................................................................... Page 1 Mission Statement/Program Overview ......................................................... Page 3 Levels of Competition .................................................................................. Page 4 Competition Rules .................................................................................... Page 5-7 Suggested Equipment .................................................................................. Page 8 Local & Regional Bee Coordinator’s Responsibilities .................................. Page 9 Illinois Regions ........................................................................................... Page 10 Tips for Promoting Your Event ................................................................... Page 11 Sample Promotional Flier ........................................................................... Page 12 Sample Press Release (before competition) .............................................. Page 13 Registration Form ...................................................................................... Page 14 Resources & Tips for Spellers ................................................................... Page 15 Sample Letter to Pronouncer ..................................................................... Page 16 Sample Letter to Judge .............................................................................. Page 17 Resources for Spelling Bee Hosts ............................................................. Page 18 Tracking Form ............................................................................................ Page 19 Sample Award Certificate .......................................................................... 0 Regional Advancement Letter .................................................................... Page 21 Sample Press Release (after competition) ................................................. Page 22 Sponsors .................................................................................................... Page 23

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Mission Statement To provide adults age 50 and older across the state with an opportunity to participate, free of charge, in an exciting spelling competition; to provide senior organizations with an easily-administered program that communicates effectively, supplies consistent and timely information, and delivers all materials on schedule in an effort to provide a high quality program for seniors. The Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee is intended to encourage adult participation and emphasize the “FUN” element in reclaiming or recapturing vocabulary and spelling skills that are sometimes lost with age. Since there is no registration fee for this program, every senior will have a chance to compete.

Program Overview Participants All participants must fill out a registration/waiver form obtained from selected senior organizations. Adults must be age 50 or older and may be required to provide some form of identification to verify age. Structure The Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee is established in geographic regions around the Illinois Area Agencies on Aging Planning and Service Areas. Seniors may advance through three levels of competition – Locals, Regionals, and State Finals.

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Levels of Competition There are three levels of competition that a senior has the opportunity to advance through to participate in the State Finals. These levels are: Locals, Regionals, and State Finals. Local Level ...................................................................................... March - April Each host organization may conduct numerous practice competitions, but must register only one competition for advancement. It is recommended that a Local competition consist of a minimum of 7 seniors. It is also recommended that Locals be held from March 1st through the end of April. Regional Level............................................................................................... June The second level of competition consists of the champions and runners-up from the Local competition. These competitions should be held as soon as the Locals are completed in the geographic area (i.e. several Locals feed into one Regional competition that represents a specific geographic area.) State Finals ................................................................................. August 15, 2016 The final level of competition concludes at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The top seniors will compete for the State Championship as part of Senior Citizen’s Day celebrations at the Fair.

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Competition Rules

1. Open to any Illinois adult age 50 and older.

2. Any organization that serves the older adult population may host a local spelling bee if registered with the AISC Spelling Bee Committee and if they follow these rules when conducting a spelling bee.

3. Invitations to host regional spelling bees will be made by the AISC Spelling Bee Committee. Preference will be given to AISC members.

4. When a contestant pre-registers for the spelling bee, a host may give the contestant these rules and a list of a maximum of 20 practice spelling words. These 20 practice spelling words should be used during the first two rounds of the event to ease nerves and promote success and confidence in those participating.

5. Spelling bee hosts may create a word list limited to words found in the American Heritage College Dictionary, 4th edition. List must exclude any word shown only in capital letters or hyphenated. Hosts may also use words from the database of 1000 words provided by the AISC Spelling Bee Committee

6. Each spelling bee must have two to three judges and one pronouncer.

7. On event day, each participant must sign in at the location. Choose order of contestants randomly.

8. After welcoming guests and making introductions, the pronouncer will read rules aloud.

9. A practice round will be held first so everyone is familiar with the rules and procedures. (For this practice round, use the first name of the contestant as the word they spell.)

10. The speller must say the word, spell it, and end by saying the word again.

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11. The pronouncer will pronounce each word twice. A different word will be given for each speller. If the word has one or more homonyms, and the pronouncer does not specify which one, the spelling of any homonyms must be accepted.

12. If the word is unclear to the contestant, the speller is responsible for asking for clarification in any of the following ways: Ask to have the word pronounced again; Ask for a definition; Ask for a sentence using the word.

13. The pronouncer will make a reasonable effort to make sure the contestant has clearly heard the pronunciation of the word.

14. Spellers will not be allowed to use any printed or written materials or any writing implements.

15. Spellers must speak clearly and loudly and slowly enough to be understood by the judge.

16. After spelling the word, the contestant must pronounce the spelled word a final time to indicate completion of the spelling. No changes or attempts will be allowed after the final pronunciation of the word.

17. When a contestant misspells one word, the speller is eliminated.

18. When a contestant misspells a word, the pronouncer will confirm the misspelling with the judges. The pronouncer will then tell the speller they are eliminated and give the correct spelling of the word.

19. When the contestants are reduced to two, the elimination procedure changes. At that point, when one contestant misspells a word, the correct spelling will not be given by the pronouncer. Instead, the other contestant shall be given an opportunity to spell the same word. If the second contestant spells that word correctly, the second contestant shall be declared the champion.

20. If both spellers misspell the same word, both shall continue in the contest, and the one who first misspelled the word shall be given a new word to spell. The contest shall then continue under the above two rules.

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21. Any questions relating to the spelling of a word should be referred to the judges immediately. Only the speller or the director of the contestant’s center or facility may make a challenge. If there is a challenge or protest it must be made before the next word is given. The decisions of the judges will be final.

22. The 1st and 2nd place winners will advance to spelling bee at the next level. The host is responsible for giving the 2 winners the details about the bee at the next level. The host will also provide the names and contact information of those advancing to the next level.

23. The 1st and 2nd place winners receive an award certificate. Other prizes or awards are optional and are at the discretion of the host.

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Suggested Equipment for Competitions

Spelling Bee coordinator & moderator

One pronouncer & two or three judges

Bell for judges to ring when a word is incorrectly spelled

Nametags for contestants

Dictionary for judges

Comfortable, air conditioned location

Microphone, if needed

Compile or procure word lists - found in the American Heritage College Dictionary, 4th edition. (both printed and on-line formats) and excludes any words shown only in capital letters or hyphenated. Lists should include pronunciations and definitions and examples when used in a sentence. Word list can also be obtained from the AISC Spelling Bee Committee.

Registration forms/waivers

Pre-printed numbers for participants to pick from to determine competition order

Scoresheets – tracking forms

Pens/pencils

Award Certificates

Prizes and refreshments, optional

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Local Competition Coordinator’s Responsibilities

1. Select a local bee date & location to hold the event during March-May. 2. Register your Local Spelling Bee with the Bee Committee. 3. Promote your competition through your promotional posters, newsletters,

websites, newspaper advertisements/announcements and press releases (examples provided). The responsibility to promote your competition is optional, but is highly encouraged.

4. Develop word lists and make copies. 5. Staff and administrate competition. 6. Award participants and announce the following statement:

“Congratulations! 1st Place and Runner-Up Spellers are now eligible to advance to the Regional Competition. Please make sure we have accurate contact information for you.”

7. Distribute Regional Advancement Letter. If you have not received Regional information before May 9th, please contact the Bee Committee.

8. Submit Local competition results to your Regional coordinator. 9. Keep all registration forms at your organization until the State Finals are

held.

Regional Competition Coordinator’s

Responsibilities 1. All Regional sites must be members of the Association of Illinois Senior

Centers. 2. Select date/location and register your Regional Spelling Bee with the Bee

Committee. 3. Receive lists of competitors from Local Coordinators or the Bee

Committee. 4. Promote your competition through your promotional posters, newsletters,

websites, newspaper advertisements/announcements and press releases (examples provided). The responsibility to promote your competition is optional, but is highly encouraged.

5. Develop word lists and make copies. 6. Staff and administrate competition. 7. Award participants and announce the following statement:

“Congratulations! 1st Place and Runner-Up Spellers are now eligible to advance to the State Finals. Please make sure we have accurate contact information for you.”

8. Submit Regional competition results to the Bee Committee. 9. Keep all registration forms at your organization until the State Finals are

held.

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Illinois Senior Spelling Bee Regions

Area/ Region

Region Location

Counties in the Region Regional Spelling Bee Coordinators

1 Northwestern

Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, JoDavies, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Winnebago

2 Northeastern DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will

3 Western Bureau, Henderson, Henry, Know, LaSalle, McDonough, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, Warren

4 Central Fulton, Marshall, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, Woodford

5 East Central Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, McLean, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby, Vermilion

6 West Central Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Hancock, Pike, Schuyler

7 Central Cass, Christian, Greene, Jersey, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon, Scott

8 Southwestern Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington

9 South Central Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Jefferson, Marion

10 Southeastern Crawford, Edwards, Hamilton, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, White

11 Southern Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Williamson

12 Chicago City of Chicago

13 Suburban Cook Cook County not including Chicago

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Tips for Promoting Your Event

What tools should I use to promote my competition? Promotional Fliers – A promotional flier has been provided for your use. Feel free to customize the flier for your organization. Contact one of the Spelling Bee Committee members to get an electronic version of the flier. Websites – Ask local senior services providers to post information about your competition on their websites. Press Releases – When you decide on a date, time and location for your competition, fill out the press release that is included in this handbook and distribute to your local media outlets. You’ll also find a post-competition press release that can be used to announce the winners and hopefully tout the success of a great event. Who to Target – You can target the Community Calendar at local newspapers as well as at TV stations and local radio stations. Other places in your community to promote your event and/or display promotional fliers include: your senior services organization, libraries, city hall and other government buildings, places of worship, recreation centers, parks, health clubs, community centers, health organizations, merchant associations, restaurants and stores. What else can I do? Cooperation – Possibly the most important thing you can do to get the word out about this great opportunity is to establish cooperation and communication amongst senior services providers in your community. These providers can serve both as volunteers for the competition and as a communication source to notify participants of the date, time and location they should show up to compete. Consider distributing registration forms through these organizations. Pre-Registration – Most competitions do all registration on-site the day of the event and while it is strongly recommended to provide at least some on-site registration, you can also take advantage of registering participants prior to the event. You can start now by distributing the registration forms provided. Accurate Referral – During the months of March and April, the Spelling Bee Committee will be accumulating the dates, times and locations of local competitions statewide. If a person cannot compete in your local event, please contact the Bee Committee for other local competitions in your area. When should my local competition be held? Competitions can be scheduled anytime from March 1 through April 30. Upon determination of the Spelling Bee Committee, it may be permissible in some areas to host a local competition a little later, but to play it safe and ensure that your winners have the opportunity to advance to a regional competition, please make every effort to schedule your event no later than April 30. Most of our local hosts choose a weekday date for optimal participation, but if a weeknight works better for your volunteers and pool of participants, then that is permissible as well. Past experience has shown that some of the best-attended competitions are held in conjunction with another special event at the host organization or during a community-wide celebration. What can I do to make sure my competition runs smoothly? Reading your Spelling Bee Handbook thoroughly is very important and should answer most of your questions regarding your Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee competition as it pertains to rules and set-up. Please make sure your volunteers are very familiar with the rules and your plans.

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Sample Promotional Flier

Can you spell palindrome? Or malapropism? How about minuscule? Well then grab your honey, and show off your spelling talents at a Senior Spelling Bee. It’s a fun and brain-healthy activity, and it’s FREE!! Here’s the BUZZ in our community:

The Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee competition is an exciting statewide program that provides Illinois adults age 50 and older the opportunity to showcase a lifetime of knowledge and to celebrate years of experience through spelling abilities. The program is coordinated by the Association of Illinois Senior Centers with the help of the Illinois Department on Aging. The competition includes three levels of competition: local, regional, and finals at the 2016 Illinois State Fair on Senior Day, Monday, August 15 inside the Illinois Building Auditorium at 1pm.

SENIOR SPELLING BEE DATE: _____________________________ TIME: __________________________ CONTACT PERSON: ____________________________________________________ PHONE: ___________________ EMAIL: ____________________________________ LOCATION: ____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________

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Sample Press Release (before competition)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ___________________ (date) Contact: ___________________________ (your name) ___________________________ (phone number ___________________________ (e-mail address)

AREA SENIORS TO COMPETE IN SPELLING BEE Can you spell palindrome? Malapropism? How about minuscule? The Association of Illinois Senior Centers, the Illinois Department on Aging, and _________________________________ (your organization) will host a free Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee competition for area senior citizens. Date: __________________ Time: _____________________________ Location: ___________________________________________________ The Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee competition is an exciting statewide program that provides Illinois adults age 50 and older the opportunity to showcase a lifetime of knowledge and to celebrate years of experience through their spelling abilities. Local spelling bees are being held throughout Illinois in 2016. Local winners and runners up will advance to regional semi-finals. The State Finals will be held at the Illinois Building at the 2016 Illinois State Fair on Senior Day, Monday, August 15, 2016. For questions concerning the competition or to sign up for this free event, please contact __________________________________(your name, phone number, e-mail address) by ___________________ (deadline date).

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Senior Spelling Bee Registration Form

Print Name: ______________________________________________________ Home address: ___________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ____________________________________________________ Daytime phone:_________________ Email:___________________________ Date of Spelling Bee: ______________ Spelling Bee Location: _____________________________________________

Persons with disabilities: The Association of Illinois Centers, Illinois Department on Aging, and the organization hosting the Spelling Bee will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to participate. Please specify below any adaptive equipment, personnel or other accommodations you need to participate in this program:

Important Information: You are solely responsible for determining if you are physically fit and/or skilled for the activities associated with this program. It is always advisable, especially if you are disabled in any way or recently suffered an illness, injury or impairment, to consult a physician before undertaking any physical activity.

Waiver and Release of All Claims and Assumption of Risk: Please read this form carefully and be aware that in signing up and participating in this program, you will be waiving and releasing all claims for your injuries you might sustain arising out of the activities of this program. “As a participant in this program, I recognize and acknowledge that there are certain risks of physical injury and I agree to assume the full risk of any injuries, including death, damages or loss which I may sustain as a result of participating in any and all activities connected with or associated with this program. I agree to waive and relinquish all claims I may have as a result of participating in the program against the Association of Illinois Senior Centers, Illinois Department on Aging, the host organization and their officers, agents, servants, volunteers, and employees. I do hereby fully release and discharge the Association of Illinois Senior Centers, Illinois Department on Aging, and the host organization and their officers, agents, servants, volunteers, and employees from any and all claims from injuries including death, damages of loss which I may have or which may accrue to me on account of participation.”

I have read and fully understand the above Important Information: _________________________________________________ __________ Signature of Participant Date

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Resources & Tips for Spellers

www.spellingbee.com

www.myspellit.com – There is a box on the left side of the home page that has several different languages. Click on a language for a list of study words, challenges words, and tips for spelling words with that origin.

AARP will no longer be sponsoring the National Spelling Bee. AARP took down the spelling bee website on August 1, 2013. (http://www.aarp.org/entertainment/arts-leisure/aarp_spellingbee/)

http://www.timesspellingbee.co.uk – Three more free spelling games to play online.

American Heritage College Dictionary, 4th edition.

Contact your Local Bee coordinator for a list of practice words and the Spelling Bee Rules.

Work with another speller and quiz each other with practice words.

Read, read, read.

http://www.spellingbee.com/

http://www.myspellit.com/

http://www.aarp.org/entertainment/arts-leisure/aarp_spellingbee/

http://www.timesspellingbee.co.uk/

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Sample Letter to Pronouncer Date Pronouncer’s Name Pronouncer’s Organization Address City, State Zipcode Dear _______________________: The purpose of this letter is to invite you to serve as Pronouncer at our Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee. Senior centers and other senior services providers from around the state are participating in this exciting event for adults age 50 and older. As an active member of our community, I felt that you would be the perfect person to be involved with our competition. The Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee is just one opportunity for all of us to help improve the lives of seniors in Illinois. It is a wonderful way to provide them a fun and educational activity and to showcase their spelling abilities. The details of our competition are listed below:

Your role as Pronouncer is to carefully pronounce the words during the competition and keep the event moving along. I will provide you with the rules and a list of words with pronunciation, definition, and an example of how each word could be used in a sentence. The event should last about one to two hours. Please let me know by ___________________ if you would like to serve in this capacity at our competition. We would love to have you join us! Sincerely, Your Name Title Agency

DATE: _____________________________ TIME: __________________________ CONTACT PERSON: ____________________________________________________ PHONE: ___________________ EMAIL: ____________________________________ LOCATION: ____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________

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Sample Letter to Judge Date Judge’s Name Judge’s Organization Address City, State Zipcode Dear _______________________: The purpose of this letter is to invite you to serve as a Judge at our Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee. Senior centers and other senior services providers from around the state are participating in this exciting event for adults age 50 and older. As an active member of our community, I felt that you would be the perfect person to be involved with our competition. The Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee is just one opportunity for all of us to help improve the lives of seniors in Illinois. It is a wonderful way to provide them a fun and educational activity and to showcase their spelling abilities. The details of our competition are listed below:

Your role as a Judge is to oversee adherence to the rules of the competition. I will provide you with the rules and a list of words with pronunciation, definition, and an example of how each word could be used in a sentence. The event should last about one to two hours. Please let me know by ___________________ if you would like to serve in this capacity at our competition. We would love to have you join us! Sincerely, Your Name Title Agency

DATE: _____________________________ TIME: __________________________ CONTACT PERSON: ____________________________________________________ PHONE: ___________________ EMAIL: ____________________________________ LOCATION: ____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________

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Resources for Spelling Bee Hosts

Spelling Words:

www.spellingbee.com

www.myspellit.com

American Heritage College Dictionary, 4th edition.

or contact a Spelling Bee Committee Member for an electronic list of words

Supplies: Oriental Trading Company www.orientaltrading.com 800-228-2269 Bumblebee Nametags IN-9/1231 $5.50 100 Per Roll

Spelling Bee Committee Members: Monika Jaroszewicz, Maine Township MaineStreamers Phone: 847-297-2510 x 252 Email: [email protected] Rose Lipsky-Moore, Senior Services of Central Illinois Phone: 217-528-4035 x 149 Email: www.ssoci.org

http://www.myspellit.com/

http://www.orientaltrading.com/

http://www.orientaltrading.com/bumblebee-nametags-a2-9_1231-12-1.fltr?Ntt=bee

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Tracking Form

Rounds

Contestants 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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Sample Award Certificate

Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee

______________________ (name)

has earned this certificate as

1st Place Speller

at the Spelling Bee

held on _______________ (date)

by ___________________________________ (organization)

Illinois Department on Aging 2016

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Regional Advancement Letter

Congratulations! You have qualified for the Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee Regional competition. As a result of your first or second place finish in the Local competition, you will now advance to the Regional competition listed below:

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Please check in at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the competition.

2. Participants may be asked to provide proof of age, so please have some

sort of identification available. 3. The first and second place winners of each Regional competition have the

opportunity to advance to the State Finals at the Illinois State Fair on Senior Day, Monday, August 15, 2016. Competition will take place in the Illinois Building Auditorium at 1pm.

DATE: ________________________ TIME: ___________________ CONTACT: _______________________________________________ PHONE: ________________ EMAIL: _________________________ LOCATION: ______________________________________________ ADDRESS: ______________________________________________

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Sample Press Release (after competition)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ___________________ (date) Contact: ___________________________ (your name) ___________________________ (phone number ___________________________ (e-mail address)

AREA SENIORS WIN HONORS AT SPELLING BEE Local adults age 50 and older participated in a local Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee competition hosted by _________________ (your senior organization name) on ___________ (date) at ___________________(location). The Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee competition is an exciting statewide program that provides Illinois senior citizens the opportunity to showcase a lifetime of knowledge and to celebrate years of experience through their spelling abilities. This effort is coordinated by the Association of Illinois Senior Centers, the Illinois Department on Aging, and local senior organizations throughout Illinois. Showing a talent for spelling, the following contestants won the honors and will advance to the regional semi-finals: (Name) ___________________________ Spelling Champion (Name) ___________________________ Runner-Up (Name) ___________________________ Alternate Local spelling bees are being held throughout Illinois in 2016. Local winners and runners up will advance to regional semi-finals. The State Finals will be held at the Illinois Building at the 2016 Illinois State Fair on Senior Day, Monday, August 15, 2016. For questions concerning the competition or to sign up for this free event, please contact ________________________________ (your name, phone number, e-mail address) by _________________ (deadline date).

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