Our Little Competitors - Around the World and Throughout the Dictionary

Around the world, or throughout the dictionary, our two girls really have enjoyed learning a lot.

Gabi has competed in both the local Geography Bowl and the local Spelling Bee for the past two years, and this was Beth's first opportunity. This year, they both competed. They were in different competing groups for the Geography Bowl, but were in the same group for the Spelling Bee. 

This was Gabi's first year on World Geography. There was so much more to try to learn and understand - and to guess in terms of what would actually be on the list of questions for the competition.

Beth was on US Geography - which still has plenty to learn, though some of the stuff is studied in the classes along the way.

I would have to say that Bob did a pretty good job with his questions - and keeping the girls from having any hints regarding what to expect - since neither girl placed in their competing groups. Regardless of that, it was fun to watch them, and they both competed well. (To top it off, Jacob actually behaved quietly throughout both competitions - back to back - which meant I was able to watch all of it this year!)

Spelling Bee was much more exciting for us. The girls spent lots of time studying words - drilling each other, having mom (and maybe dad, I don't remember) quizzing them. Beth, being her first year, was especially focused on learning her list of words.

Gabi went back and forth about which group she'd be competing in. First she was told she'd be competing with 4-6 grade, then it was that 6th grade was competing with the middle group (6-9). In the end, it was 4-6, so the girls ended up competing against each other. But all the back and forth kept tossing Gabi from one word list to another. I don't think it hurt her any.

They both tied with two other kids for first place initially. Then, they ended up competing head to head for third place. And, because they had to do the first place tie breaker first in order to see figure out who would be doing the third place tie breaker, the girls ended up spelling a bunch of harder words for their third place tie breaker then when everyone was competing for first place. For a parent (that would be me) it was fascinating to watch - to see both my girls excelling and spelling words correctly over and over (especially since spelling - especially verbally - was never my strongest suit). Bob and I could not have been more pleased with their performance that day. They really did amazing! In the end, Gabi took third and Beth took fourth.

Of course - I can't leave it at that - because I have one truly amazing husband. Both these programs would have been done away with a couple of years ago had he not stepped up to keep them going when the county office no longer provided them. This year, he ended up doing a lot more of the work himself - though he had some great judges and announcers in the form of retired educational professionals. Thank goodness for such wonderful support so these programs can move forward and the kids can continue to be challenged in a fun way!