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Keep in mind that during the spelling bee you may ask for the definition of the word, for its pronunciation, what part of speech it is, and more importantly, its language of origin. Knowing which language a word comes from allows you to see certain patterns, so that if you don't know how to spell a certain word, you can guess based on which language it comes from. English has adopted quite a few words from Greek and Latin, so it can be a great resource to learn the Greek or Latin roots of certain related words. For instance, the Greek root “tele-” means far, and “graph” means to write, so the word “telegraph” means to write from afar. While your parents had to make do with pencil and paper to memorize the spelling of words, nowadays there are a number of technologies to help you study. For example, you may want to use a tape recorder to help you memorize the pronunciation of certain words, or you may use a word processor to help you keep track of the words you have mastered and the ones you still need to memorize.  There are also a number of helpful apps for your iPad or Kindle available online, which allow you to make lists of words and have a variety of other helpful features. It might seem weird, but experienced spellers find it helps to trace the words they are about to spell in the palm of their hands. This allows one to visualize the word, and to break it down into syllables before spelling it out loud. As you get ready to spell out the word, pretend one of your hands is a piece of paper and “write” the word with your writing hand. Tracing the word keeps you focused and it's a great way to help you concentrate on how a certain word is both written and pronounced. You've studied, you've worked, you've done everything you can--now it's time to shine! Become familiar with the way your voice sounds on a microphone, as well as with the added pressure of speaking before an audience. But remember, stress can be your worst enemy, so try to relax and enjoy the competition. A spelling bee is supposed to be a fun activity after all!
Learn the roots of words and spelling rules from different languages. Use technology to help you study. Use your hands to trace the word you are spelling. Relax before the competition.