OfficialCityPrep’s (OCP) Spelling Bee: Frequently Asked Questions!
updated: 01/12/10
Q: Are you part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
No we aren’t part of the Scripps Bee. The OfficialCityPrep Spelling Bee is sponsored by OCP a 501(c) 3 Michigan Non Profit Corporation. We differ from the Scripps Bee in three areas: (1) we don’t require students to compete through their schools. Students can register directly with us. (2) We provide free WordUp! Workshops to help students prepare for the bee by reviewing word construction, strategy, and etymology. (3) And lastly, we have three classes of competition beginning with students in grades 1-8.
Q: What is the date of the OCP Spelling Bee?
A: The Bee will be held Friday, May 21, 2010 and Saturday, May 22, 2010. Friday is an elimination round that begins at 4pm-7pm. Saturday is the Finals beginning at 12Noon to 4pm. The site for the Bee is the Community Arts Auditorium, Wayne State University, Detroit, 48202.
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Bee?
A: Any student in the United States and Canada in grades 1through 8 is eligible to participate in the OfficialCityPrep’s 2010 Spelling Bee. Students needn’t be registered at a Kumon Center. However, all registrants must provide a copy of his/her report card to verify his age and grade along with a signed registration form certifying that all the information is true.
Q: How do you enter the bee?
A: Registration forms are available to be downloaded at: http://www.citypreponline.com/WelcometoSpellingBee.htm. The cost is $7 for Kumon students and $10 for the general public. The registration fee entitles the registrant to a WordUp! Spelling Bee Guide and admission to as many WordUp! Workshops as she would like to attend.
Q: When and where are workshops held?
Workshops are generally held on the 1st Saturday (in Wayne County), 2nd Saturday (Oakland County) and 3rd Saturday (Macomb County). However, more workshops are added all the time, so please check our website:
http://www.citypreponline.com/WelcometoSpellingBee.htm or call Mrs. Wolff (313) 874-5827 for updates. A new concept is taught each month and is repeated at all workshop locations. It is not necessary to attend a workshop at each location. It is however, a good idea to go to a different location if you miss a workshop that month.
Q: What are the levels of competition?
A: OfficialCityPrep is unique from other spelling bees because it has 3 levels of competition.
· Class I: Students in grades 1-3 must compete on teams. The teams can be all boys, all girls, or coed. Students on that team can be all one grade or a combination of grades. The team composition is up to the team. OCP is not responsible for forming teams. The prize is $300 to the winning team. Each child on the team receives a $100 bill.
· Class II: Students in grades 4 and 5 compete as individuals. They cannot form teams. There is only one winner and he/she receives a cash prize of $200.
· Class III: Students in grades 6-8 grades compete as individuals. They cannot form teams. There is only one winner and she/he receives a laptop computer as a prize.
Q: Where can I find words to study? Will the words in the WordUp! Spelling Guide be used in the Bee?
A: Some of the words found in the WordUp! Spelling Guide will be used in the Bee; however other words will be used also. Do not rely exclusively on the words in the Guide. We suggested that students study numerous word lists. Resources are found in the Guide and are frequently mentioned at workshops. Check our website for more resources.
Q: Can parents and siblings attend the workshops?
Parents are welcomed to sit in on the workshops when space is available.
Q: What are the rules for the Bee?
The rules for the Bee can be found at our website: http://www.citypreponline.com/Bee%20Rules.htm . They will also be read and/or discussed at each workshop.
Written Test: All participants will be required to take a written test. Please be aware that there are 10 questions and 15 spelling words that will appear on the test. The answers and questions are on the website. The 15 words will come from the WordUp! Spelling Guide and the workshops. All words must be spelled correctly.A brief overview of the rules is also included in the Spelling Guide. If you have any questions about the rules please call the OfficialCityPrep, Inc., Mrs. Wolff at (313) 874-5827 or jwolffexdir@CityPrepOneline.com .
