Spelling Bees (was: Grammar)

[Trina]

Doreen wondered: 

 I also wonder if they still hold spelling bees or if this too has 
been deemed as "cruel & unusual punishment" for the poor children and 
therefore "no fun", and has been dropped by the wayside along with 
many other learning aids, such as memorizing the multiplication 
tables. 


Yes, spelling bees are still held. Haven't you ever watched the 
National Spelling Bee, an annual event in Washington, DC?  For the 
last few years ESPN has been airing it, a fact which amuses me to no 
end.  

I take pride in the fact that I was the *only* 5th grader in my 
district to make it past the written spelling test for our local part 
of the National Bee the 1st year 5th graders were allowed in it.  Of 
course, I got shot down with the word "initiate" in the spell down 
with the 6th, 7th, & 8th graders, but not bad for a 10 year old!

Trina