Spelling skills put to the test

Eighth-grader Cassidy Mazurek and sixth-grader Nikki Ranney in early February competed in a classic slice of Americana - a spelling bee.

Though neither Wisconsin Hills student made it past the regional competition in Pewaukee, they are part of a middle school tradition that seems to be going strong despite changing curricula.

"A couple of years ago, the district stopped teaching spelling as a separate subject," said CallyAnn Meulemans, who coordinates the Wisconsin Hills bee. "Now, students study the Latin and Greek origins of words."

Wisconsin Hills Principal Robyn Martino said the district now teaches spelling as part of writing and throughout the literacy curriculum. She added that knowing the Latin and Greek origin of words is helpful to students.

Many helping hands

"There are so many steps involved in all of this," Meulemans said. "Coordinators get a small stipend, but that's not why I do it. I gave up being the language arts department chair after 10 years, but I like working with the kids. I like to see them do well."

So do their parents, she said.

"Some parents are really into it," she said. "They will work with their kids. They write down every word that is used in the spelling bees, and you know they are gong back and reviewing them with their kids."

There are a variety of reasons why some parents are into the bees, Meulemans said. It could be cultural or it could be that they themselves were interested and accomplished in spelling as students.

"Spelling has been such a basic part of learning across many generations," she said. "It's something everyone can agree is an important part of one's education."

Meulemans also agrees to coach students if they proactively seek that out.

Administrators also get into the act, particularly at the individual school level; each school sends a top speller from sixth, seventh and eighth grade. Martino at Wisconsin Hills and Pilgrim Park Principal Mike Sereno step up to call the words, and the school bee coordinators act as judges.

Pilgrim Park's coordinator is retired teacher Barb Gleck, who served full time in the Elmbrook School District for 30 years.

"I substitute teach and I do this to stay connected, and because I believe in the spelling bees," Gleck said. "It was surprising that the schools decided not to teach spelling. I think it was a surprise to a whole generation of teachers, too.

"Research must have proven that teaching spelling as an isolated subject doesn't have benefits anymore."

Healthy competition

The spelling bees, Gleck said, are a healthy way for students to compete.

"It's a wonderful experience for them to be in competition of some sort," she said.

It can also be intimidating, competitor Nikki said. As a sixth-grader, she competed for the first time, winning her school grade level, but not quite getting out of the first round of the regional competition.

Students' views

"I was surprised that I did so well at first," Nikki said. "I tried to study at home and for about 15 to 20 minutes in study hall. I got a little nervous at the regional, but I am going to do it again next year. I enjoy reading and writing. I just like words."

Cassidy Mazurek just completed her third spelling bee. Her mother, Irene, said she was a lot more relaxed this year, slowing down, asking the judge to use the words she was given in a sentence and asking about their origin.

"Knowing the origin of words helps," Cassidy said. "It's good to know that because you can apply it to more words and have a broader understanding."

Cassidy, who will enter Brookfield Central in the fall, said she would like to eventually study science and foreign languages.

At a glance

WHAT: CESA 1 Regional Spelling Bee III

DATE: Feb. 9

WINNER: Riya Mehta, New Berlin Eisenhower seventh-grader

LAST TWO WORDS: ibex and mechanistic

NEXT: Badger State Spelling Bee on March 10 at Edgewood College in Madison