Did you know that Kindle will be an integral part of the 89th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee finals? The finals are taking place May 24-26, 2016 (that’s this week!). Â I lucked out; my kids are great spellers. They go to a great school that fosters learning how to spell. Â One of my complaints from my childhood is that they didn’t focus on spelling. As a result, I am a terrible speller. Â I thank God every day for spell check! Â That is why I was so excited to hear about this partnership!
The Scripps National Spelling Bee will use Kindle technology by integrating it into the creation of word-list study materials. These materials are created for thousands of schools. In addition, the Kindle Vocabulary Builder feature will be worked into the process for the Bee team’s development of the word lists that students review in preparation for local Bees.  The idea is simple – before students were great spellers, they were great readers. Early reading leads to a better vocabulary and word comprehension.  Plus, I’m a firm believer that if you have a love of reading young, you will have a lifelong love of reading.  Also, reading well is a foundation of everything you do.
One of the ways to get your kids to read is using a Kindle. Â I know my kids love theirs!
Kindle e-readers’ are a great tool for students with built-in reading features to help support students as they expand their reading skills and vocabulary. These features include:
- Vocabulary Builder compiles words you look up in the dictionary into a list for easy access. Readers can then use that list to quiz themselves using flashcards until they’ve mastered them.
- Word Wise automatically shows short and simple definitions above difficult words to help readers take on more challenging books. It also keeps them from asking you two million times what something means.
- Kindle FreeTime allows kids to read books in a simple, fun, and safe environment designed specifically for them. Kids earn achievement badges when they reach their reading milestones. Moreover, a progress report keeps parents updated on the total time spent reading, the number of words looked up, the badges earned, and the books read. This is the easiest way to keep track! My kids are beyond excited to read this summer.
These tools provide an improved reading experience that leads to greater comprehension and a stronger vocabulary. In addition, your child gets a better, uninterrupted reading experience for young readers. Best of all, your kids don’t even realize they are learning. I really love that.
  Just for fun, what word can you never spell correctly?
So awesome. I really want a kindle for my daughter and I. I think its awesome to have if you love reading and travel a lot.
love this idea from the Kindle… I’ll have to check this out for my young ones!
I already have a Kindle for reading purposes, but I’ve been thinking about buying one for my son and daughter. They both love to read and play educational apps!
I love anything that encourages kids to learn and read more! Kindle is great too, Amazon is just such an awesome company.
My kids are little Kindle addicts. They have them at my house and at their dad’s. Minecraft is what finally inspired my son to want to read. He was playing online with other kids and they wee makin signs he couldn’t read. It had been a struggle with him up to that point.
I wish that I took more interest in reading at a younger age. I think that I would have done better in school.I didn’t develop a love for reading until a few years ago.
I love the Kindle app on my iPad!! I love that they are making Kindles part of the National Spelling Bee, such a great organization!
I couldn’t live without my Kindle so I bought the grandkids one too. They love to read as much as I do and I knew they’d love one of their own. I can spell Kindle but I sometimes have trouble spelling supercalifragilisticexpialidocious :).
We do not have an actual Kindle but my son uses an e-reader and is reading at a 2nd grade level in kindergarten. Love it.
I love how apps can help kids learn to spell and do so much more!! I didn’t realize so many were on Kindle
My kids love to play on their Kindles and on the Freetime Apps. I haven’t seen this one yet but I think they would really love it.
My son loves reading, but he doesn’t have a kindle yet. Soon! I used to join spelling bees way back in elementary. This brings back memories. 🙂
I have a couple of Kindles. I think they’re great for reading. My oldest is starting to learn to read, so the Kindle can really help her out.
I love that technology has come a long way in teaching our kids. The spelling bee is definitely one of my favorite things to watch when it is on. I am a spelling bee junkie!
As the mom of a kindergartner on the cusps of learning to spell and beginning to read this is awesome technology!
We don’t have any Kindle at home. Sounds like a great learning device for kids.
Hi Lisa,
I really like how Kindle is kid friendly. Thank you for bringing this to attention! Now that I think about it, Kindle should be perfect during summer vacation when children stay away from school. It will help them not to forget how to spell and even encourage them to read with the milestones and achievements.
Zaria
Its so cool how technology is changing! This is a great tool tool promote the love of reading.
Wow, looks like the Kindle has been a fantastic addition to your family. Glad you shared how this is benefiting your family so others may see the rewards behind investing in a Kindle.
The Kindle for kids bundle sounds great. This is a great way to encourage the young ones to read.
My kiddo is a pretty good speller also. He uses an app on my phone and it works really well for him. We don’t have a Kindle right now, but I am sure it would work well there too!
I never thought we could use a Kindle this way. My hubby owns a Kindle Fire HD and he loads it up with his favorite books! I will let my sister know about this post. She can “loan” her Kindle to her daughter this summer vacation.
That’s so cool! I love that technology is becoming such a strong presence in education. Our world is becoming more and more technology centric, and our kids need to use that knowledge.