Spelling Bee is a spelling programme that is played online without the need to download anything onto your computer. It is split up into eight sections (Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-8, 9-10, 11-12) with three levels in each section. Each level has a short story with blank words, like a cloze exercise. The story is spoken aloud so that the pupil hears the missing words in context. The pupil then has to type in the missing words. You can choose to hear the missing words as often as you like. In older sections you can be given the word meaning as a hint. When a level is completed you get a score and you can see which spellings you got incorrect. You can then choose to go on to the next level or to re-do the level again.
It should not cause too many difficulties but the story is spoken with an American accent. Because it is also an American based programme there may be some words particular to the US eg. “garbage”. However, these are minor difficulties which do not detract from the overall usefulness of the programme. The programme is most suitable for use in the primary school. The fact that it teaches spellings in a context is an advantage. It is also a programme that can be re-visited again and again to see if spellings learned in the programme have been retained. The programme is also suitable to be used as a class lesson using an IWB. The programme can be accessed at: