Teacher's Guide
Spelling (Orthography)
Orthography, or spelling, was an important part of the curriculum. Students often participated in class "spelling bees". These spelling bees and spelling lessons would help students effectively learn how to spell and read words.
There were no spelling books. The teacher selected and wrote words on the board for the students to learn. They wrote the words neatly three times on their slates or copy books to reinforce the correct spelling as well as to practice their penmanship.
Spelling bees were used by teachers to promote friendly competition of spelling skills and to allow a break from the strict classroom setting.
Spelling Bee Rules
There were no spelling books. The teacher selected and wrote words on the board for the students to learn. They wrote the words neatly three times on their slates or copy books to reinforce the correct spelling as well as to practice their penmanship.
Spelling bees were used by teachers to promote friendly competition of spelling skills and to allow a break from the strict classroom setting.
Spelling Bee Rules
- The class is divided into two teams.
- The teams line up on opposite sides of the room with the teacher in the middle.
- Straws are drawn or a coin is tossed to see which team goes first.
- The first person in line on the selected team goes first.
- A word is pronounced by the teacher and used in a sentence.
- The word is then repeated by the student.
- The student spells the word.
- If the student realizes that he/she has made a mistake before the teacher says so, they may politely ask for a second try. The student then repeats the word and tries again.
- The student who misspells a word must sit down and the same word is given to the next person in line on the opposite team.
- The teacher moves back and forth between each team until only one student is left standing.
- Although there are teams, the spelling effort is an individual one and no talking or whispering is allowed between team members.
