2009 Spell Bowl Word Lists
The 2009 Spell Bowl Word Lists are available
Click here for the 2009 Elementary Word List
Click here for the 2009 Junior Division List
Click here for the 2009 Senior Division List
[Each list requires Adobe Reader]
The only source used for pronunciations and definitions used in competitions will be the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition. Words must have identical spellings in both this word list and the dictionary in order to be used in competition. If a discrepancy appears, words that do not match will not be used in competition. Every effort was made to select only words which are appropriate for school use. Any words which are found to not match Webster's 11th are included in our update list which will be updated regularly as needed. Click here to see words that will NOT be used in competition.
2009 Spell Bowl Competition Dates
Senior Spell Bowl Area Competition, October 19, 2009
Junior Spell Bowl Area Competition, October 27, 2009
Sr and Jr Spell Bowl State Finals, November 14, 2009
Elementary Spell Bowl Area Competition, November 19, 2009
IS MY TEAM ENTERED?
To find out if your membership-participation form has been received (either by fax or mail) check out the online confirmation lists, which are updated at least once a week. Entry Deadline for Elementary teams is October 1. If your team is not on the confirmation list, go to the forms page (linked in blue at the top of this page), complete a Membership-Participation Form, and fax it to the IASP office. Pre-payment is NOT required to enter the Spell Bowl contest. Click here to see the Confirmation Lists.
2008 Spell Bowl Coaches Handbook
[Requires Adobe Reader]
Coaches Conferences
Spell Bowl Coaches have several opportunities to learn more about the competition at three fall Coaches Conferences. Sessions for everyone from rookie to experienced pros are available. Click here to find out more about upcoming conferences.
Spell Bowl Invitational Contests
Invitational contests for each level (Elementary, Junior, Senior) are scheduled locally, and may be used as conference meets, city-wide contests, or simply practice rounds. Participation is not required for those who wish to participate in later Spell Bowl Competitions. Elementary and Junior division invitationals are created by the host. Senior division invitationals may be either purchased from IASP or created by the host. A comprehensive list of Invitational Contests that have been sent to our office is available by clicking here. If you would like your contest to be listed, send the date and important contact information to kharrop@iasp.org.
Help for Elementary Spell Coaches!
Linda Weaver is offering two different CD's to help elementary Spell Bowl coaches. One CD includes the diacritical markings and definitions for all words on the word list; the other CD contains sentences for each word. Linda does not work for IASP, but does this as a service to other Spell Bowl coaches. Click here for CD order form.
Spell Bowl Proctor Instructions
At most Spell Bowl competitions, each team must provide an adult proctor to help score answers. It is essential for each coach to provide a responsible proctor who has reviewed their instructions before the contest. Click here to see a copy of proctor instructions. [Requires Adobe Reader]
Academic Competition Calendar and Timelines (including a 2 year calendar).
CALTutor
We are excited to partner with CAL Tutor, a Crown Point, Indiana company, who sells outstanding Spell Bowl, Spelling Bee and other software for sale. CAL Tutor tailors their materials to fit the Indiana Spell Bowl and has shown some outstanding results. The company also sponsors monetary awards for the top scoring Spell Bowl team in each division who use their software. For more information, go to their web site https://www.caltutor.com
Spell Bowl Student Answer Sheets
Click on the links below to see samples of the Answer Sheets used during competitions:
Elementary Division Answer Sheet
Junior Division Answer Sheet
Senior Division Answer Sheet
[Require Adobe Reader]
Description of the Elementary Division Academic Spell Bowl
Competition
Content
The competition will be made up of eight rounds with a different team member
competing in each round. Each round shall consist of seven words.
Teams
Teams are composed of eight members. Seven others may be used as alternates. There is no limit as to how many students may come from any one grade level. A student may participate in only one round. There are no substitutions during a round.
EligibilityAll full-time students in grades 4-5 (6 where appropriate) are eligible to compete. Within these constraints, schools may select their teams in any manner and with any additional criteria they choose.
Format
The competition will consist of eight rounds with each round consisting of
seven words, which will be read by the emcee. After the emcee finishes the
pronunciation, sentence, pronunciation and says "Begin", the participant will
have twenty seconds to write the word in the correct space on the answer sheet.
At the conclusion of the time allowed for spelling, the word will be scored
before going on to the next word.
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Description of the Junior Division Academic Spell Bowl
Competition
Words for this competition come from lists published on this site. Word Lists rotate annually.
Content
The competition will be made up of eight rounds with a different team member
competing in each round. Each round shall consist of nine words.
Teams
Teams are composed of eight members. Eight others may be used as alternates.
There is no limit as to how many students may come from any one grade level. A
student may participate in only one round. There are no substitutions during a
round.
Eligibility
All full-time students in grades 7-8 (6 where appropriate) are eligible to
compete. Within these constraints, schools may select their teams in any manner
and with any additional criteria they choose.
Format
The competition will consist of eight rounds, with each round consisting of
nine words, which will be read by the emcee. After the emcee finishes the
pronunciation, sentence, pronunciation and says "Begin", the participant will
have fifteen seconds to write the word in the correct space on the answer
sheet. At the conclusion of the time allowed for spelling, the word will be
scored before going on to the next word.
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Description of the Senior Division Academic Spell Bowl
Competition
Words for this competition come from lists published on this site. Word Lists rotate annually.
Content
The competition will be made up of ten rounds with a different team member
competing in each round. Each round shall consist of nine words.
Teams
Teams are composed of ten members. Ten others may be used as alternates. There
is no limit as to how many students may come from any grade level. A student
may participate in only one round. There are no substitutions during a round.
Eligibility
All full-time students in grades 9-12 are eligible to compete. Within these
constraints, schools may select their teams in any manner and with any
additional criteria they choose.
Format
The competition will consist of ten rounds with each round consisting of nine
words which will be read by the emcee. After the emcee finishes the
pronunciation, sentence, pronunciation and says "Begin", the participant will
have fifteen seconds to write the word in the correct space on the answer
sheet. At the conclusion of the time allowed for spelling, the word will be
scored before going on to the next word.
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