Lethbridge Public Library Mini Bee spells fun for students

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on January 31, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Samar Khan spells a word at the Mini-Bee Spelling Bee on Saturday at Lethbridge Public Library.

Nearly 30 students in Grades 1-3 put their spelling skills to the test Saturday at the Lethbridge Public Library Spelling Bee’s Mini Bee competition.

It’s the first time the Mini Bee has been held since 2017, said Bonnie Mikalson-Andron, the library’s manager of children’s services.

“It’s just a great opportunity to bring the community together,” said  Mikalson-Andron.

“Literacy and spelling are tied so close together and the family and the kids just love the activity.”

Twenty Seven students worked on mastering words either at or higher than their grade level to prepare for the Spelling Bee.

“It just helps them with their literacy, and reading and learning,” said Mikaleson-Andron.

“We have practice sessions beforehand to get them used to the space and used to talking into a microphone.”

Having a positive attitude and calmness are factors that would give students success.

“These kids practice really, really hard and learn these words that  sometimes are really challenging for them,” she said. The students went through many rounds of spelling before the Spelling Bee champion was crowned.

“I think it’s a great experience,” she said.

“They get that public speaking experience; they get to present themselves in front of their families and their friends and it’s just a fun event for them. We try to make it as fun as we can.”

Spellers were given two minutes to spell out a word.

Coalbanks Elementary student Samar Khan participated in the Spelling Bee because she considers herself a good speller and was excited to be there.

“It’s sometimes very challenging or easy,” said Khan, adding that she practiced words including permanent and algorithm.

“I know what it’s feeling like now to do it ,” said Khan.

She wants to take the fun from the Spelling Bee experience.

The Big Bee, for students in Grades 4-6, will be held Feb. 10 at the library.

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