Spelling Bee Rules
*Note: Please familiarize your qualifying students with these rules before the competition. Special treatment will not be given to students who are not familiar with the rules.
Rule #1 - Students who are late to the competition by more than 5 minutes will not be allowed to compete. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the competition in order to register.
Rule #2 – All competitors will leave any and all items (including word lists) on a desk or in a box within the judge’s sight and away from the competitors.
Rule #3 - Each student will be given one word, one at a time, of which they must write the correct spelling on the board.
Rule #4 - After a student begins writing a word, they are NOT allowed to erase, cross out, or change any letters in any way, whatsoever. Students may add a letter in between two already written letters.
Rule #5 - If the student spells the word correctly, they move onto the next round and are to return to the end of the line. If the student spells the word incorrectly, they are out of the competition.
Rule #6 - If a student talks while waiting in line, gives help to anyone or receives help from anyone, they will be disqualified.
Rule #7 - Students are encouraged to ask for a word to be translated into their native language ONLY before they begin spelling the word. If a student has begun spelling a word, it cannot be translated for them. They may also ask for the word to be repeated in English up to 3 times. Judges/Translators are not allowed to use the given word in a sentence.
Rule #8 - If the word has both an American and a British spelling, either spelling will be accepted. NOTE: Homophones will be noted by an asterisk (*) on the wordlists. Prior to reading a homophone, the judge must inform both the student and translator to translate the word for the competitor.
Rule #9 - It is highly recommended that judges/translators do not judge for their own children/students. If possible these judges/translators should judge other groups and grades.