U.S. patent application number 13/089125 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-11 for methods and apparatus for educational spelling games.
This patent application is currently assigned to Richard Joseph Sullivan. Invention is credited to Richard J. Sullivan.
Application Number | 20110193290 13/089125 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40843937 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110193290 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sullivan; Richard J. |
August 11, 2011 |
Methods and apparatus for educational spelling games
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for educational spelling games wherein
players are required to spell words of various levels of spelling
difficulty and a player's degree of advancement depends on the
difficulty level of the word. One version is a game board with a
plurality of playing pieces, a plurality of spelling cards, each
spelling card comprising a plurality of spelling words wherein
different words on each of those spelling cards comprise different
levels of spelling difficulty within at least one educational grade
level or age level, preferably within two consecutive educational
grade levels, and a die for randomly determining the level of
spelling difficulty of the word which a player will be asked to
spell. Preferably, there are at least three words of different
levels of spelling difficulty on each spelling card. Also disclosed
are electronic versions comprising an annunciator to announce the
words, game show versions, computer game versions and
internet-based versions.
Inventors: |
Sullivan; Richard J.; (Port
Jefferson, NY) |
Assignee: |
Sullivan; Richard Joseph
Port Jefferson
NY
|
Family ID: |
40843937 |
Appl. No.: |
13/089125 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12290568 |
Oct 31, 2008 |
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13089125 |
|
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61010625 |
Jan 9, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/272 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2009/188 20130101;
A63F 2003/0426 20130101; A63F 3/00006 20130101; A63F 3/0423
20130101; G09B 19/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/272 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/00 20060101
A63F003/00 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a spelling game wherein players are required
to spell words correctly in order to advance in said game,
comprising the steps of: establishing a game level for each player
which corresponds to the player's age or educational grade level
and which game level comprises no more than two consecutive age or
educational grades for players in grades first through eighth;
randomly selecting a word and a level of spelling difficulty for a
word to be spelled by a player, wherein said word selecting step
comprises selecting a word from a plurality of words from known
spelling lists within the player's established game level and
wherein said level of spelling difficulty selecting step comprises
selecting a level of difficulty from a plurality of word
collections established from said plurality of words wherein each
such collection comprises words of a different level of spelling
difficulty than another; communicating the selected word and the
level of difficulty to the player; providing a player with an
opportunity to spell the randomly selected word, and, if the player
correctly spells the selected word, advancing the player in the
game, wherein the degree of advancement corresponds to the level of
spelling difficulty of the selected word.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said different levels of
spelling difficulties are established by at least one of the
following criteria: the word length, the number of syllables, the
number of silent letters, the number of double letters, the
possible spellings caused by sounds that can be spelled by at least
two different letters or combinations of letters, how often an
average player of a game level would typically read, write, hear,
or speak the word in the course of the player's studies,
recreational activities and/or normal daily interactions, the
degree to which the same sounds and/or letter combinations in the
word are contained in other words in the same game level or at
lower game levels of the same game, and the number of homonyms.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said different levels of
spelling difficulty are established by a plurality of the following
criteria: the word length, the number of syllables, the number of
silent letters, the number of double letters, the possible
spellings caused by sounds that can be spelled by at least two
different letters or combinations of letters, how often an average
player of a game level would typically read, write, hear, or speak
the word in the course of the player's studies, recreational
activities and/or normal daily interactions, the degree to which
the same sounds and/or letter combinations in the word are
contained in other words in the same game level or at lower game
levels of the same game, and the number of homonyms.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein one of said game levels to
be established comprises a separate adult level.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said game comprises: A
game board, A plurality of playing pieces, A plurality of decks of
spelling cards, with each spelling card comprising a plurality of
spelling words having different levels of spelling difficulty and
indicia indicating the level of said spelling difficulty for said
words on each of said plurality of spelling cards, and A means for
randomly determining the level of spelling difficulty of a spelling
word to be spelled by a player.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said game comprises an
electronic version allowing the game level to be chosen by each
player and using an annunciator to announce the randomly selected
word, the randomly selected level of difficulty and the correct
spelling of the word.
7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said method is implemented
upon a computer to allow a player to play the game on said computer
against a computerized opponent or against another player or
players.
8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said method is implemented
upon a computer to allow a player to play the game on a remote
computer against a computerized opponent or against another player
or players.
9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said different levels of
spelling difficulty comprise a first level, a second level and a
third level of spelling difficulty, and wherein a majority of the
words categorized in the first level of spelling difficulty
comprise words that can be spelled phonetically, or which can be
spelled correctly by a player with knowledge of phonics and the
non-phonetic rules of the language to be spelled.
10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said different levels of
spelling difficulty comprise a first level, a second level and a
third level of spelling difficulty, and wherein a majority of words
categorized in said second level of spelling difficulty comprise
words which suggest one alternate, incorrect spelling to a player
who has knowledge of phonics and the non-phonetic rules of the
language of the word to be spelled.
11. A method according to claim 1 wherein said different levels of
spelling difficulty spelling words comprise a first level, a second
level and a third level of spelling difficulty, and wherein a
majority of words categorized in said third level of spelling
difficulty comprise words which suggest a plurality of alternate,
incorrect spellings to a player who has knowledge of phonics and
the non-phonetic rules of the language of the word to be
spelled.
12. A method according to claim 5 further comprising a plurality of
bonus playing cards.
13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said bonus playing cards
provide directions for movement of said playing pieces during play
of said spelling game.
14. A method according to claim 5 wherein a player is able to take
a shortcut across at least a portion of the game board by correctly
spelling one or more of the highest level difficulty words.
15. A method according to claim 12 wherein a player is required to
spell one or more of the highest level difficulty words to move
past a certain designated space unless the player has acquired a
BONUS card allowing the player to proceed.
16. A method according to claim 12 wherein said BONUS cards include
cards which may be either beneficial or detrimental to a player's
advancement.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said beneficial cards
comprise cards which direct a player to move forward to a certain
designated space on the game board or to move forward a set number
of spaces, or to move another player back
18. A method according to claim 16 wherein said detrimental cards
comprise cards which direct players to move back to a certain
designated space on the game board, to move back a set number of
spaces or to lose a turn.
19. A method according to claim 12 wherein said bonus cards include
cards which may be either beneficial or detrimental to the player's
advancement depending upon the player's position on the game
board.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein said cards that may be
either beneficial or detrimental dependent upon the player's
position on the game board comprise cards which direct a player to
go to the nearest of certain designated spaces on the game board.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/010,625
filed Jan. 9, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if
repeated herein in its entirety.
[0002] The present invention is directed to educational games, and
particularly to educational games that test a player's spelling
ability and helps sharpen a player's spelling skills.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Games have previously been disclosed for testing players'
knowledge including a player's spelling skills. In one previously
disclosed game, a player is given the definition of a word and then
must guess the defined word. If the player guesses the word
correctly, he is then given the opportunity to spell it for a
bonus. This game includes different decks of cards with each deck
comprising words for given educational, intellectual and age levels
so that players of different levels can play together.
[0004] In another previously disclosed spelling game, words are
randomly selected from a word storage, e.g. a dictionary, for
spelling by a player. In various embodiments, the list of words in
the word storage may have one or more levels of spelling difficulty
wherein the spelling difficulty is chosen by a player during his
turn or is randomly determined. If the player spells a word
correctly, he is awarded a number of points which can correspond to
the level of difficulty of the spelling word. The purpose of the
game is to accumulate the highest number of points. This game,
however, is not a board game and does not disclose or suggest a
plurality of different levels of spelling difficulty within at
least one and no more than two consecutive educational grade levels
or age levels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In order to provide greater challenges and games of greater
interest, it is particularly desirable to provide a spelling game
wherein words of different levels of spelling difficulty are
provided within at least one and no more than two consecutive
educational grade levels or age levels. It is desirable to have a
spelling game that challenges a player to improve his spelling
skills regardless of how accomplished the player is as a speller.
It is also desirable to provide words of different levels of
spelling difficulty in a given game level so that a player may
randomly be required to spell words that are considered more
difficult within a game level during any turn. It is also desirable
to allow players who are of the same or nearly the same age or
educational grade level to compete against each other using the
same set of spelling words, while allowing players of a different
age or grade level to play the game at the same time using a
different set of spelling words appropriate for their age level or
educational grade level.
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to
educational spelling games wherein players are required to spell
words of various levels of spelling difficulty within at least one
and no more than two educational grade levels or age levels in
order to advance. One embodiment comprises a game board, a
plurality of playing pieces, a plurality of spelling cards each
comprising a plurality of spelling words wherein different words on
each of those spelling cards have different levels of spelling
difficulty and, the different words are selected from spelling
lists from at least one and no more than two consecutive
educational grade levels or age levels, most preferably from two
educational grade levels, and means for randomly determining the
level of spelling difficulty of the word which a player will be
asked to spell, e.g. a die, a spinner, or the like.
[0007] According to one embodiment, the plurality of spelling cards
comprises words of different spelling difficulties within a
specific educational grade level. Preferably, there are at least
three words of different levels of spelling difficulty on each
spelling card. This embodiment of the game comprises collections of
cards comprising words of different spelling difficulties within a
specific grade level. A single game level can cover no more than
two consecutive ages and/or grade levels, e.g. ages 7-8 or grades
7-8. A plurality of card collections each corresponding to spelling
words for different game levels may also be provided. For marketing
purposes, such additional collections of spelling words may be made
available separately.
[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention is an electronic
version comprising an annunciator to announce the words. In a
preferred electronic embodiment, the circuitry randomly determines
the difficulty of the word to be spelled, selects a word of that
difficulty from the plurality of difficulties within at least one
and no more than two consecutive educational grade level or age
level and then an annunciator announces the word to be spelled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a game board of
the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of the word side of a "BUZZLEWORD Card"
(spelling word card) of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of the direction side of a "BUZZLEBEE
Card" of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the direction side of a "BZ-PASS"
card of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electronic embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] One illustrated embodiment of the present invention
comprises a board game which can be played by a plurality of
players, e.g. 2-6 players, of educational grade level 1 and up. For
example, children's versions of the present game are provided for
each of grades 1-2, grades 3-4, grades 5-6, grades 7-8, and an
adult version is for high school students through adults. For
grades eight and lower, or ages 13 and lower, each game level
preferably comprises no more than two consecutive grade educational
levels of consecutive ages.
[0015] One illustrated embodiment of the game comprises a game
board, three hundred spelling cards known as "BUZZLEWORD Cards" as
shown in FIG. 2, designated for the specific game level, fifty
"BUZZLEBEE" cards which direct player's moves and which are drawn
by players who land on spaces designated as "BEE" spaces on the
game board, and a tri-colored die for randomly determining the
spelling difficulty of the word to be spelled for each player's
turn. This embodiment also comprises a plurality of playing pieces
for players to move along the game board. In one embodiment, the
playing pieces are six bee-shaped figurines each of a different
color to identify each different player.
[0016] During play, players may optionally be provided with a
writing implement and paper to write down their spelling words.
Also useful during play is a dictionary to consult for word
derivation, definition and pronunciation. Use of a dictionary with
the present game may advantageously sharpen players' reading and
vocabulary skills, but is not required.
[0017] Each spelling card may be marked on one side with the game
level of the spelling card and, optionally, a company logo. The
other side of the spelling card contains a plurality of words of
different difficulties, i.e. the spelling words. As indicated in
FIG. 2, there are three words with three different indicia, wherein
the different indicia refer to the spelling difficulty. Preferably,
there are at least three spelling words on each card. The words on
each spelling card are of different spelling difficulties
identified herein as EASIER, INTERMEDIATE and MORE DIFFICULT. In
one embodiment, the EASIER spelling words are denoted by a
particular color, e.g. a yellow square preceding the word, the
INTERMEDIATE spelling words are identified by a different color,
e.g. a green square preceding the word, and the MORE DIFFICULT
spelling words are identified by a third color, e.g. a blue square
preceding the word. Some indicia must be provided for identifying
the different levels of difficulty, but various indicia may be
utilized including different symbols, colors, numbers, fonts, word
order on the card, etc. In any event, some indicia other than the
spelling words themselves is provided on the word side of the
spelling cards to indicate their level of difficulty. The die or
other random selector used to randomly determine the level of
spelling difficulty a player's word will be on a particular turn
will also preferably comprise indicia which corresponds to the
indicia utilized on the card. According to other embodiments of the
present invention, the word itself may be randomly selected. For
example, in an electronic version, including a television version,
or a computer based version, the word itself may be randomly
selected, however, in such instances, the word will have been
previously assigned a level of difficulty. Therefore, in such
embodiments, the level of difficulty will also be selected randomly
even though the device for doing the random selection is directed
to the word itself rather than the level of difficulty. In such
instances, for purposes of the present invention, both the word and
the level of spelling difficulty are deemed to be randomly
selected.
[0018] The words that are used on the spelling cards are most
preferably from known spelling lists which include high frequency
words suggested for teaching in each grade level. The term "known
spelling lists" is used herein to indicate lists of spelling words
found in a common source, e.g. on the world wide web or published
in books. The term "grade level" is used herein to identify a
single division of a school or a collection of persons grouped
according to age or the same relative academic ability. According
to this embodiment, the different grade levels include each of
grades first through eighth grade. Such spelling lists exist for
grades one through eight and are posted on the world wide web and
are published in books. Examples of suitable spelling lists found
on the world wide web include those found on the following web
sites:
http://www.asij.ac.jp/elementary/gr1web/cla/100%20words.htm
http://wwW.wcusd15.org/ses/spelling2.htm
http://www.time4learning.com/SpellingWords/3rd-grade-spelling-words.shtml
http://www.time4learning.com/SpellingWords/4th-grade-spelling-words.shtml
http://www.ohsd.net/index2.cfm?page=_c2&cid1&cid2=179
http://aschilb.emsd37.org/Spelling/spellling2nd.htm
http://www.time4learning.com/SpellingWords/1st-grade-spelling-words.shtml
http://www.delano.k12.mn.us/sitepages/pid323.php
http://www.gowrie.k12.ia.us/3rdgrade/spelling.asp
http://web.dps.k12.va.us/ParkAve/spelling.htm
http://www.delano.k12.mn.us/sitepages/pid137.php
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp12.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp11.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp10.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp9.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp8.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp7.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp6.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp5.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp4.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp3.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp2.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp16.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp15.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp14.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp1.htm
http://www.time4learning.com/SpellingWords/5th-grade-spelling-words.shtml
http://boe.berk.k12.wv.us/217/tospell5.htm
http://www.riverdale.k12.or.us/.about.bblack/sp13.htm
http://www.ohsd.net/index2.cfm?page=_c2&cid1=61&cid2=179
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/stormigiovan-
ni.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/explo-
dingants.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staffibburson/webcreation/spelling/stretchingou-
rselves.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/westlandia.h-
tml
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/mahaliaja-
ckson.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/di-
nosaurshawkins.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/leonardoshor-
se.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/wings-
forking.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/midnightride-
.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/janegoo-
dall.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/pas-
sagefreedom.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/insideout.ht-
ml
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/satchelpai-
ge.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/islan-
ddolphins.html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/thunderrose.-
html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/frindle.-
html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/gymnast.-
html
http://www.nhcs.k12.in.us/staff/bburson/webcreation/spelling/chilinpu-
rse.html
http://www.all-about-spelling.com/spelling-list-for-6th-grade.htm-
l
http://www.time4learning.com/SpellingWords/6th-grade-spelling-words.shtm-
l http://www.home2teach.com/Spelling5-6.html
http://www.time4learning.com/SpellingWords/7th-grade-spelling-words.shtml
http://www.time4learning.com/SpellingWords/8th-grade-spelling-words.shtml
http://www.justinrudd.com/adultbee.html
[0019] One embodiment comprises a plurality of decks of spelling
cards. Each of the decks comprises words from two adjoining grade
levels. The spelling cards for Level 1 comprise words from known
spelling lists for first and second grade. Similarly, the spelling
cards for Level 2 comprise words from known spelling lists for
third and fourth grade; the spelling cards for Level 3 comprise
words from known spelling lists for fifth and sixth grade; and
spelling cards for Level 4 comprise words from known spelling lists
for seventh and eighth grade. The spelling cards for the adult
level version of the present game comprise words that are at a
higher vocabulary level or higher spelling level than eighth grade
and which are not commonly found on spelling lists for educational
grades one through eight.
[0020] As noted above, the words on the spelling cards are
categorized by the relative spelling difficulty of the words. Each
spelling card has a plurality of spelling words on one side, and
preferably at least three words following an EASIER, INTERMEDIATE
and MORE DIFFICULT spelling difficulty arrangement. While these
category titles are used herein, in an actual game, the categories
can be titled "Difficult," "More Difficult" and "Most Difficult"
for the morale of the players. The difficulty of the spelling words
may be determined by one or more of the criteria set forth in
detail below. Tables 1-5 provide exemplary lists of possible
spelling words set forth by game level and subdivided within each
game level by spelling difficulty. Table 1 sets forth a spelling
word list for Level 1, Table 2 sets forth a spelling word list for
Level 2, Table 3 sets forth a spelling word list for Level 3, Table
4 sets forth a spelling word list for Level 4, and Table 5 sets
forth a spelling word list for the adult level of the game.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 LEVEL 1 - 1.sup.ST & 2.sup.ND GRADE MORE
EASIER INTERMEDIATE DIFFICULT mind broom wheel map serve clue hard
sixth would (please) base team (group) wear (put on) pump throw
sunny wild duck write (pen) salt straw blue (color) hay court
morning (a.m.) mad cloud really step word ahead bark off slight
shut tie whole (all) tray least already book extra sea (water) cool
bear (animal) thumb mile tune probably frog seal half fire sore
(hurt) correct loop pane (glass) window hold store than (bigger)
home never funny string seat before clam roast ready fool crack
wrote (pen) twig use above melt beach cousin star ground queen long
floor pie took mean curve bell peek (look) enough win sound loose
hug peach one (1) trip crow breeze low roar (lion) circus king
after family tent roof worm day story chance play bird coal like
neat scratch deep back stitch sky found squirt woke enter yellow
most quiz goat tame burn fence talk meal gone hike false woman cold
bean true far loud night bull proud watch cry work useful try body
suit gas moon chief fork chore kitten flip shirt earth ink drew
boat list space sigh ate (food) race because born earn (money)
sugar stink eat mail (letter) band train number chop stain cheese
torn your (belongs to) again date park summer ant what when yet
more answer chill only question bend ice sure bun quilt their
(belongs to} find size squeeze such house paid sank room white gift
draw (art) through (door) side soon sour spoke table choose now
wait towel belt frown while pig silk tease hall stew vowel cook
stick sign lane live guard keep mouse said late rice below yard
chew bright drive very almost bike flew (bird) daddy fish guy laugh
spill black school spend prove awful gold gain always must aid
could lost spoon should choke child grown bus (school) cheat mommy
harm door climb full gown pretty twist quit witch (broom) went
candy where (place) wall wise believe also animal shoe walk open
instead much own dollar rope prize cough ship out guess want close
(door) light fox deal minute strong egg tea (drink) shed world
different short shout eight (8) time (clock) boil kneel song food
little pay dew (mist) soften pants fifth which (one) damp early
sight (eyes) well saw (looked) dumb tree hose choice corn heal
(fix) pour (milk) stop speed fight ago real (true) wrong sun (sky)
those dropped bush wood (tree) whisper make sock piece (part of)
big pound thought fly meat (food) fruit cow stuff rhyme arm fifty
high (up) start hair (head) usually bee (insect) oil once thing
maybe rough chip boot eyes doll hurt too (also) kite soil waist
(belt) horn skirt lie (false) shark fair (o.k.) niece warm dirt two
(2) rake horse (ride) pail (bucket) milk pair (two) scent (smell)
row son (boy) friend sleep pass tale (story) flag coat between take
snore blew (wind) hive made (bed) bounce dog stair (step) does how
share knot (rope) fist dear (sir) surprise chin easy cereal (food)
stamp water often may feet (socks) sail (boat) toss sum (total)
some (part) cost mane (lion) main (chief) name steal (take) ounce
boss teach please pot couch tail (wag) card change wheat man front
guest small wore (clothes) taught land weed banana vote show poem
dust fail honey barn taste daughter ray icy phone sting sister
scary mom worn (clothes) idea bank first busy fast girl brother
bump mark goal plan kick pea (pod) sang won (game) soap hope teeth
beautiful call shake breath say lose against joy mess across dish
beast done bring deer (animal) pillow six love bread dig around
tough twin flake either dark field behind bag over view bug clean
picture tell fluff patch hang clock quiet put dial glue bone feel
been (was) beg form nothing lake sack catch all about since men
scoop soup old third itch joke they tight ball few blood got away
wool jet second color jaw feed church test glass flea (insect) slip
under cruel thank cream during spin dream flight mild mouth none
(not any) nest stone many boy mister goes car speak there (place)
west blow touch wash clown hungry curb fear parent tub rail hello
fog peak (top) sword fix flame whip sold baby wrist wing brake
(car) gently snap chase ache rush raw (meat) toes (foot) wish move
favorite bent froze style see (eyes) chose problem cat waste
(garbage) something rude hear (sound) meant shop heel (foot) money
crib cheer chalk look river hour (time) way visit silly pet beak
aunt farm next threw (ball) will tooth whose glow head circle with
place children brush any smooth dress shape fought both exit switch
just uncle birthday less slow gloves push odd prince pest green
follow bite (teeth) feast serious fall zero sew (hem) paw (cat)
danger thread lamp curl build pill inch voice stem truth whisker
bad leave bought cash twice station dot greet alphabet dad rule
pencil lump tool yesterday sell heat pause (stop)
dash come every box east great (good) sand coast letter set float
pony cake sir sale (less $) fun join alright top jail peace (calm)
sad meet (me) together flash root (tree) right (correct) free rare
know (get it) think rain (clouds) force toy buy (pay for) pear
(fruit) trash rock thirsty them pain (hurt) laid ring (bell) beat
(drum) puppy gum poor marry hog pale (white) city lift brain bottom
rest learn someone grow empty brought into street knock pool cowboy
whale (sea) snow snail farther (away) wet leak (water) knee wake
cheek says soft brown frighten best war (army) until met toast
middle cub mitten butter fill four (4) male (man) kind spice father
(dad) wag without afraid bake block cause miss sheet then (after
that) you (not me) reach coin she why orange bow (tie) chair sneeze
wave town heard (sound) good bowl swear save dock apple kiss pray
(kneel) goose jump face biggest bath quick crazy frost strange
people pull sent (mail) happy plus ton mother stand today caught
loss break (dish) might (could) hot treat address hook score cent
(coin) tall coach heart desk pinch heavy stay round several camp
hole (donut) giant flow year trouble sing maid (girl) coming
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 LEVEL 2-3.sup.RD & 4.sup.TH GRADE MORE
EASIER INTERMEDIATE DIFFICULT regular disappoint scenery butter
basic excellent about officer anchor tackle anyone whistle roof
heaven alien computer addition celery queen written carriage label
subtraction league leaf nervous tomorrow once wreck captain season
slight grieve planet doubt government become people delicious while
comb concern window comfort awfully waffle quickly practice towel
occur business happen special tongue student brilliant village
shower famous adjust supper beautiful island tonight garage guitar
bounce quarrel recipe increase achieve sheriff airport palace
autumn lose although doubtful touch across distance amaze library
giraffe cattle supreme cocoa tardy underwear engine miracle police
balance curse convinced therefore relax religion squirrel everyone
address accident protect center seizure cabinet paragraph strength
barber Saturday muscle (arm) prefer grateful pageant bathroom
powerful weighed puzzle smoking certain locket gallon emergency
handle Tuesday cupboard mirror carrot (food) canoe radio meadow
buffalo angle elephant sentence camel thankful length angel ghost
headache flower (plant) cactus veil foggy highway definitely
tornado vanilla marvelous popular accept (allow) equipment mistake
tailor straighten figure sensible medicine cable peanut allowance
whatever confident vacuum ticket central belief crooked introduce
chimney bucket August cinnamon fault actress receive nature
refrigerator seize (take) hamburger typist neighbor shallow several
scissors history dual (two) glacier fumble tearful typical polite
mountain toilet shovel neither suggest mustard channel spinach
minister passenger relief exactly correct blonde uncle wonderful
baggage pocket acrobat violence travel squeak jewel enjoy continue
cruised fiddle cannon (gun) rhythm amount vacant laziness tissue
process voyage yogurt healthy wrap (present) daily loosen sugar
deposit February labeled animal paid comma arrow cushion auditorium
amuse damage certificate south urgent physical acorn patient
experience asleep listen hydrant foul (not fair) terrible knowledge
memory often clothes (shirt) turkey fudge exercise (use) zipper
destroy orchestra middle dumb religious stir cocoon stopped weather
(rain) highlight entrance course (path) unknown beginner oath
butcher breathe pillow typhoon yacht glove lovely referee monkey
thumb bruised contain priest taught April badge burglar pupil
soldier dessert easily sewing raccoon bonus colorful banquet
perfume wrist restaurant beneath costume diaper human curtain forty
raisin serpent sunnier gallop shadow weird razor squeeze flour
(bake) speech trouble villain desert rodeo vegetable reason Sunday
gnaw square Thursday moisture growth disappear bouquet cotton
handsome gnat patio imagine cauliflower dribble humid shepherd
example inventor skiing fence hurtful iron wealth awhile ogre
stingy China courage prize budge wrestle Friday resemble bargain
truly vision roommate wagon rescue juice dealt justice circuit
prepare cyclone excel advise poem porpoise teacher onion dinosaur
relative circle privilege kingdom tunnel lying dollar violet
reindeer complete gentle rhinoceros above traffic routine waitress
thief gasoline butterfly laid cabbage serious surround dictionary
nicest stretch success expect value faucet picnic notice
temperature airplane million precious public plumber beggar deny
surface decimal yellow kneel audience skier knock governor envelope
knife detour worm chef chocolate pajamas promise karate tractor
terrific knapsack harvest alright broccoli suppose emperor knight
(armor) motion guess groceries author military century scary
disguise scheme screen toward leopard humor hasten sandwich button
phase capital (letter) useful pledge ballet liquid lecture machine
foolish plastic chisel monster impossible quizzical skeleton goes
lunar decay Australia coconut populate young summary chuckle France
guilty museum niece genius theme science xylophone bacon eighth
laboratory station fuel decent crawl whether (if) disease produce
twilight cider depth laundry favorite universe message oyster
instead except (not) knot (rope) sorrow imagination ocean haze
average macaroni doctor motor troubling dental guard unfortunate
opinion decision specify blossom interest existence horizon bicycle
duel (fight) chosen limb reference tangle bomb gauge dawn treasure
handkerchief cuff among fountain choice answer chorus poor finally
debt another Indian cello wonder recent celebrate power freight
forehead county coward absence helmet kitchen budget advice pounce
weight (pound) umbrella charcoal deceive equal victim column nearby
innocent luggage choose pitcher stomach rumor garbage knuckle usual
hospital exhaust pattern problem buses (school) annual opposite
fantasy picture yield ostrich aunt balloon chimpanzee cookie Monday
Chinese backward grief creature against pursue suite (room) school
fantastic separate custard mixture welcome thirsty agency nuisance
needle excited vein (blood) English idle (lazy) gradually family
mathematics Wednesday selfish caught dangerous birthday fought
ceiling (room) visible likely pyramid children orange caution
sailor youthful furnace change enough pigeon couch heavy naughty
arrange important tepee until double describe hungry freeze
sorcerer football realize sausage enemy safety acquire Canada
honest different dragon alphabet camera collect alligator athlete
bottle breakfast schedule grandfather width familiar sparrow ought
crochet barrel nickel scientist unless thought leisure carpet
though marriage criminal coarse (rough) bologna establish gopher
measure homework guest theater single fashion argument angry
service boulevard chicken ounce journey borrow speak sleight
country really shoulder dance janitor bracelet donkey catcher
calendar perfect sympathy exhibit follow delicate oxygen
finger guide feature garden design ancient frozen actually aisle
(row) glance remarkable fierce artist fortune surprise chance
crocodile foreign summer dozen galaxy upstairs busily quarter
number official believe should purpose whirled slender civil
beginning forest quart apology along echo guidance spelling
pleasant genuine player allergic poison strange signed ketchup
afternoon judge valuable avenue musician sleigh (snow) puddle
icicle exhale princess question coupon member similar necessary
disgrace discuss dungeon mental height congratulations adverb cough
whittle adore direction thorough movie attempt whisker honey errand
coffee worst capacity language dairy hoarse (voice) potato article
weapon challenge pilot boundary tomato multiply college prairie
rainbow curious absolutely month chief develop appear toaster
patience (calm) extra nephew possess afraid grudge embarrass bury
pilgrims whisper dangle argue anxious vowel feather recognize
volume fowl (bird) happening oldest tennis traveled broom sincere
shampoo candle awful gigantic visitor eagle surgeon disaster
interrupt portrait erase pleasure route (road) dozen pretty lizard
alert flies biscuit noise general instance hammer majesty principal
(school) taxi predict principle (rule) north private lettuce search
explorer fulfill triple sought saucer fourth (4th) sewer
mechanic
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 LEVEL 3-5.sup.TH & 6.sup.TH GRADE MORE
EASIER INTERMEDIATE DIFFICULT praise gesture encore wander frequent
caterpillar liberty decent cafeteria harvest salary teammate
solution digital judgment secure wedge contagious boundary disgrace
antique common lecture generous suppose hymn (song) desperate
motion system magnificent harmony magazine generosity sense (feel)
cease (stop) circumstances fiction mixture reign (rule) panic
gradually gymnasium brief decimal negligee champion surround
cartridge purse receive magician luxury preferred crystallize
manager citizen innocent inventor lenient laboratory eagle accurate
cellophane fracture conceal architect career neutral generally
expert description eventually elephant opportunity conference
elevator immortal apparel discussion referral banister produce
typical practicing gentleman continue encyclopedia copies
dictionary environment method attorney ignorance service building
daffodil speech language aspirin mammal cedar license lamb coupon
acceptable summary amusing definitely junior ancient doughnut
normal bushel forecast beyond journey beige patient portrait
evidently scarce promise overwhelm pierce exhale buffet companion
meager embarrass circulate entrance approximately decoy cement
specifically steak (meat) courage counselor creativity responsible
labeled captive rescue assistance register audience accordion
battery delicious apostrophe organize syllable luncheon fertilize
parcel occurring radiant rehearse satisfactory hammock murmur
ridiculous envious pioneer bookkeeper major cooperate committee
disturb shrivel conscious scramble refrigerator roommate mission
cyclist illiterate contest oxygen coolly vibrant acreage candidate
flexible tardiness insurance outlet margarine exaggerate bulletin
capacity exhausted significant humorous mustache elegant summarize
pageant collector marvelous vicious pillar mysterious cemetery
engage plaid necessary abdomen customer importance vary scholar
existence install scheme teachable deposit exhibit professor
sensible dreadful pummel convertible privilege Connecticut
divisible apparent musician sociable lavatory nineteenth available
orchid omelet reasonable ambulance overrated agreeable happiness
ghetto favorable monarchy secrecy breakable probably mischief
allowable fashionable salmon tolerable separate character safari
hiccup therefore satisfied decision colonel (army) decided recess
wheelbarrow prepare forty Massachusetts appear mechanic Mississippi
distance orchard mosquito perhaps prejudice cologne crease ancestor
corduroy native pretzel discipline narrow fossil obedience aroma
retrieve Missouri therapy capitol (place) Arkansas idealistic pier
(dock) alcoholic equation diamond consensus shuttle measles
Illinois entertain emphasis manila steam debris conscience televise
medicine consequence vacant bungalow gaseous virtue faithfully
procession invisible adequate hygiene article excel imbecile coward
wring (twist) opossum loyalty hydrant campaign region scissors
shriek chili (food) appetite asterisk publish inexpensive heroes
quarrel crouton mileage denied reluctant colossal friction mightily
traveler quartet sleight (of hand) pavilion directory kindergarten
miniature section washable cymbal (music) opponent advertisement
parallel creator speedometer challenge annual biceps pastime
splendid fragile monologue repair practical pistachio eager
sculptor delicatessen delight volunteer analyze humble clearance
thorough afternoon effective neighborhood bakery kangaroo drought
banker argument coliseum border appoint bachelor cable awkward
upholstery group equipped February handle feature somersault heart
fertile loneliness holy (sacred) pollution sergeant increase
pronounce lieutenant industry chemical curiosity exist shoulder
overrule property circular violence protect climber symbol (mark)
provide competition physician record concern accidentally reduce
creature debut reply definite excitement reward exceed Egypt colony
dishonest Europe comfort junction tendency comical leather guidance
condition foreigner parachute confirm meteor analysis constant
mayor genuine decay referee plague define significance clique
(friends) dirty banquet holiness discover territory nervous
hamburger different tomatoes education residence harass empty
valiant vessel invention referred cupboard kindness scenic nauseous
mental tragedy glacier level wilderness sacrifice lumber alter
(change) astronaut melon plantation penguin congress altar (prayer)
forehead graphic casually lightning gossip absence gracious musical
grateful wintry option facial souvenir pardon dormitory fanciful
axle versus spaghetti perfect eligible diesel pickle density
nuisance speedy financial recommend staff fortress grammar pleasure
category enormous stroll genius performance subject missile
jealousy supply orphan rehearsal temper political fortunately
thread poultry sausage blossom macaroni disguise pocket bridge
cinnamon adopt aluminum echoes adverb algebra especially width
acquire mattress banjo advantage censor (book) basin calorie
hyphenated blouse chord (music) misspell display spinach literature
division civilian successful duet lettuce doubtful election crystal
receipt establish delicate sincerely extra society headquarters
release descent tortoise phrase destination courteous resist
illustration satellite profit (money) imaginary journalist prefer
instead synonym predict introduce democracy positive neighborly
magically perish manufacturer solemnize owner sentence grief button
appliance incredible buyer technical fierce cabinet carefully
dominant personal pulley earnest contrary tuxedo technology decade
vehicle faucet defeat voluntary recently delivery surprise
anonymous crutch cylinder badminton halo dehydration appearance
imitate duplicate authority import delinquent forage inquire
temperature spacious janitor syrup tournament notify ledge barbecue
oblige civilization veterinarian outfit knowledge lamppost
operation proceed eccentric senator brochure guarantee serious
commitment instance steady opposite attendance solve heritage
endurance solo excellent specimen writer determine associate
require digestion cancellation unaware employee grievance women
rhythm condemned zero discriminate paralyze community calendar
courtesy critic vagrant turquoise cuddle vinegar bluish develop
warranty emptiness culprit willful beneficial difficult applaud
profession disposal knead (dough) possession durable dough (bread)
marshmallow eliminate surgery sapphire infection subdue athletics
meant captain pursue informal believe mischievous injury climate
conqueror
mascot guardian geyser instrument beginner wholly (fully) interior
facility equivalent strategy lawyer pronunciation toward geyser
picnicking treatment passenger hysterical massive alibi disastrous
manuscript whisper paralysis lyric certain interesting logical
island gorgeous library cyclone withdrawal skeptical coffee
peninsula exclude fusion straight recycle finally porridge picture
politician substance relief drainage stubborn curious oyster
suspicious terrible restaurant dissatisfied segment beverage
collapsible substitute allowance molasses portable guitar
sauerkraut tension sphinx potatoes truthful leisure etiquette
triumph congratulate stationary (fixed) trophy salvage stationery
(paper) preview trapeze zucchini ambition popular allegiance
telephone cauliflower bureau exactly vague newsstand ecology
vicinity questionnaire assistant vegetable extraordinary dramatic
handkerchief catastrophe geometry choir amateur annoy python quiche
dismiss jewelry avalanche several geography mayonnaise attic heifer
technique reality poisonous chlorine trumpet patience (calm)
continually ruined frontier successor carriage cellar (basement)
independent gospel ordinary collision pollen peaceful secretary
galaxy agency fascinate telescope currency conceited population
exercise disciple commit experience appreciate attention unique
assignment arithmetic proctor acknowledge automobile design
criticize consistent figurine wholesome improper blessed
ventriloquist ingredient boulevard essential exchange engineer
symmetrical approach explanation ecstasy densely valuable
accumulate
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 LEVEL 4-7.sup.TH & 8.sup.th GRADE MOST
EASIER INTERMEDIATE DIFFICULT abrupt celebration conscience angle
complexion pharmaceutical instructor physical psychiatrist
tremendous suppress abhorrent employer courteous dyslexic plea
aerial pseudonym malice elementary hierarchy breathe significance
sovereignty cinder neutron mortgage container capillary forfeiture
passenger basically withheld marriage debtor aggravate example
chronicles rapacious enemy beggar buoyed handsome malign
mischievous government judicious antecedent envelope belligerent
accessory equator feasible pantomime tying guarantee blasphemy
remember capsule desperate journalist martyr boisterous distance
justification clientele merchandise simplicity innumerable sporadic
medicinal atrocious ballot ignorance counterfeit chapter consign
boycott scenery accumulate despondent fabric chaos fluorescent
century challenge carburetor skies shampoo antonym squirrel
knapsack irresistible creature sequence chlorine attractive
congratulate intercede toxic gracious humorous clause (words)
petroleum tsunami drawer (desk) siege diffidence glossary succumb
sojourn shadow shepherd choreography dignity sentence occurred
equation counselor collectible experience suede ascension museum
column sacrilegious irony antidote catalogue igloo independent
scrimmage circular compromise allegiance married cuisine mistletoe
operator enormous crystallize commander cliche rhythmic budget
fascinate synagogue mechanic wheelbarrow committed meanwhile
associate conscientious graduate glamour extraordinary index
audience genealogy Pacific acceptance anesthetic despair concurred
statistician pupil especially pilgrimage odor mysterious
acquaintance exhibit concern foreseeable offense controversy
exaggerate resemble tariff ensemble fourteen homogenize pavilion
abundant artificial discretionary contradict fiery picturesque
optimism professor vaccinate opponent interpretation auxiliary
persist mention incidentally puddle hospitable propaganda perspire
meticulous perceptible indulge impregnable inconsolable parish
treacherous erosion prognosis amphibian crouton camera emphasis
grievous figurative vicinity grotesque digestion license
necessitate collapse concise grandeur scientist luncheon diligence
fantasy enhance jeopardize tourist tendency questionnaire delegate
pronunciation devastate canyon efficient personnel disposal
accomplish cartilage individual psalm prerogative forbidden havoc
controversial insinuate relevant sincerely factual commission
veterinary lovely seminary reversible source simile dissatisfied
lying usage stubbornness recline fanciful particularly quantity
enigmatic colleague safety frequency threshold biography athletic
prestigious portray pessimism propagate visible synonym discrepancy
density sandwich memento vacant courageous adjoining apartment
reticent aerobics applaud luxurious anonymous automobile adjacent
cinnamon memorize caterpillar accommodate eon dictionary accelerate
ingredient volcanoes intrigue distribute leisure genre authority
convertible metaphor magnetic cigarette parliament scheme overwhelm
commemorate continent absence cantaloupe dangerous separate
interrogate violet triumphant ukulele dramatic financial
synchronize cafe acknowledge massacre advantage larceny chauffeur
pasture plague zoology accurate illicit alumnae politics defiant
appellate orchard karat (jewel) defendant electricity discipline
upholsterer adjust innocent hindrance recede ferocious moccasin
motive laboratory deterrence violent conjure remembrance advice
achievement physique niece amphibious extravagant thousand plaque
exceed engineer peninsula proceed system prophecy schism eminent
quarantine millennium imminent commercial liaison extension
consequence entrepreneur throughout intricate opulence conceal
condemn omitted economy labeled plaintiff myth emptiness
accompaniment replacement accidentally practically geography
testimonial Hawaii terrible algae feigned impossible mileage
behoove curious currency parenthesis ministry plentiful rhetoric
obey crochet diurnal triangle spontaneous diaphragm purchase
excellent nowadays injury facility corollary poetry foreword (book)
sergeant insecure docile malefactor silence dialogue bookkeeper
skillful croquet playwright contribute misspell criticism illegal
phantom permanently violence myriad reminiscent usually juvenile
abundance grocery nuisance dietitian familiar illogical catechism
flexible courtesy susceptible insinuate ancestry subtlety
comfortable analysis kilowatt complain altogether licorice legend
fiendish reservoir dubious memoir impromptu recent colonel (army)
wondrous ledge comprehension heinous feature scenario adolescent
opposite coliseum nonchalant storage delicious pitiful kernel
(corn) debris savvy garment cupboard apparently describe clemency
controlled fastidious flourish correlate rehearse conceited
disastrous dwelling medicine monotonous evening pamphlet vengeance
counter fiercely disappearance recycle compassionate emphysema
follow performance medieval complex buffet anoint carriage
inaugural grievance mixture obnoxious righteous suggestion propel
indisputable Atlantic plethora recommend radiant accustom
hypothetical contest reconcile delectable social officious
facetious exchange intolerant turbulence conquer prairie inoculate
ragged curiosity medallion heroes dilapidated fatigue typical
gourmet larynx massive successful vertebrate epitomize distraught
anomaly ignorant vintage descendant destroy marshmallow plenitude
whine (moan) cologne compelling periodic irrelevant renowned
hatchet contemporary homonym honorable laughable themselves icicle
coordinate frolicking depot ghastly perseverance mayhem coordinate
serrated officer necessary prescription exercise (work) propensity
euphemism coupon paralyze archaeologist discriminate parachute
inconceivable description wistful caffeine vigilante maintenance
annihilate humble naive pastime obscure gruesome critique
intelligence gnawing supersede agile nauseous besieged frequent
radiance lieutenant sensory customary outrageous facial accomplice
accordion combination embarrass guttural probably chauvinism
quizzes misery marmalade mathematics secretly classification
macabre organize valor assassin adventure missile serviceable
specific parallel mediocre element niche dilemma obstacle kerosene
roughhouse paragraph continuous prevalent legible metallic rapport
washable catapult canvas (cloth) culture sauerkraut autonomous
various novice apocalypse tactical bachelor acoustics awkward
granite laughable saturate hosiery oppression finalize expedite
adjournment advance appropriate chaperon practical scissors
quandary incentive scholastic noticeable condition traveler ecstasy
hardship conceive tomorrow constant eccentric advantageous mingle
merciful precipice connection heritage endeavor extract explicit
catastrophe rumor pheasant aerosol fertilize primitive hesitancy
thunder hideous legitimate historic valet camouflage customer
preferable narcissistic mobilize regime predecessor
humidity mammoth hypothesis evident pursue minuscule graphic
overrated ghettoes technology receipt colossal raisin abysmal
reference policy attendant graffiti descent llama intercession
equipment amnesty characterize tangible prominent succession tailor
dominant sophomore material sufficient inadvertent neutral
turquoise tourniquet chief secede indispensable category asthma
Caribbean shutter nucleus flabbergasted shuffle sedentary
occasionally salvation wholly (fully) collateral recluse procedure
bouillon visitor misfortune irrefutable nickel genuine evanescent
pronounce strenuous raucous tornado interrupt protocol altercation
amorous maneuver distress exceptional miscellaneous divine culinary
discernible domestic malicious preference easier correspondence
loneliness eject acclaim resemblance eligible oblique poignant
exotic advertisement overrun existence obstinate chauffeur
expression newsstand incandescent meteor anecdote realistically
exhale mosque unforgettable mystery synopsis mannequin nylon
asterisk idiosyncrasy obesity elicit facsimile obsolete berserk
omission feud precipitation exorbitant mesmerize mayonnaise pummel
shovel cancellation exuberance erroneous capricious plagiarize
eliminate plateau fundamentally assignment legitimize aeronautical
bulletin compel harassment cashier consensus camaraderie classic
referred thoroughbred college paucity irresponsible comedy
fortunately pasteurize federal franchise renege faulty miniature
masquerade further gymnasium silhouette galaxy decipher croissant
inept passable imbecile semester solitary chrysanthemum explanation
diorama manageable
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 LEVEL 5 - ADULT MORE EASIER INTERMEDIATE
DIFFICULT tobacco overwrought shillelagh encore cockroach
anesthetize antenna cache (hidden) dilettante phenomenon bucolic
pleurisy gauze croissant Polyethylene pungent camisole demitasse
juxtapose ecumenical demagoguery precipitous apothecary manageable
inauguration abysmal reveille ridiculous bailiff maraschino
systematic nourishment corpuscle protein melancholy bellwether
complexion gossamer resalable plateau concierge androgynous
rigorous ensign serendipitous pessimistic tableau quintessence
emphasis sojourn reconnaissance observatory poignant graffiti
relevant synchronize cognoscenti chiropractic calisthenics
psoriasis primitive incessant paraplegic foliage ingenious
pachysandra excellent necessary fluorescent resilient turquoise
phosphorescent chiropodist picturesque perspicacity aerosol
negligee colossal conceited choreography traveler courteous
encumbrance bourgeoisie collaborate libelous disastrous apparent
rhinoceros raspberry gorgeous treacherous coliseum orthodox macabre
inadmissible hemisphere upholstery nonpareil asylum augur
baccalaureate cachet submersible vicissitudes tyranny massacre
sequoia disposable impugn rhododendron itinerary overreact inane
phoenix rescission sarsaparilla novice mediocre cacophony inure
campaign dilapidated ferocious centripetal rendezvous seclusion
discernible subpoena paucity antecedent rapprochement eulogize
tutelage yarmulke adolescent hyperbole semblance homicide pneumatic
chauffeur nuisance visceral motif extenuating lecherous pasteurized
superficial ensemble prerogative javelin disheveled quandary memoir
humongous vengeance volatile vehement chamomile priority
statistician embryos paradise moniker onomatopoeia library placebos
somersault receive linguine clientele secretary nomenclature
commemorate unnatural guillotine archipelago elicit indictment
parakeet murmur dependable tourniquet circumstances loquacious
monstrosity indicative accessible pseudonym conclusion immovable
expendable sagacious noticeable liaison paralyze prescient
curiosity contagious behemoth iridescent cartilage gauche ecstasy
excitable inflammable nauseous pamphlet rheumatism occurrence demur
milieu hors d'oeuvre gorilla (ape) incalculable mnemonic pinnacle
horrific mischievous magnanimous soiree lackadaisical gourmet
consolation xenophobia valuable pernicious psychoanalyst heirloom
unnecessary pastime obsequious grandeur shenanigans accomplice
flagellate paleontology indicia misogyny propaganda hyphenate
boudoir irrefutable delinquency chandelier a cappella dinghy
threshold pirouette jettison coercion dispensable ironic pheromone
phantasmagoric recalcitrant pastiche unparalleled slaughter
maneuver schizophrenia savant sashay (walk) malleable exhort
scintilla mannequin audience cancellation camouflage Braille
livelihood annihilate interrupt souvenir pharmaceutical niche
plentiful effete certitude pneumonia cetacean philosophy colonel
debutante inconsolable labyrinth pterodactyl catharsis cistern
chartreuse degenerate ricochet quadriplegic gnawing aneurysm
pavilion maintenance chagrined saccharine reference devastate
renaissance supervised prurient meringue derelict quixotic
echinacea deceit recognizance desiccate controversial menagerie
carburetor hospitable burlesque camaraderie potential altogether
bayonet decedent surveillance bivouac subtle serviceable panache
conservative inimitable mellifluous petroleum miscellaneous
incandescent contemporary broccoli lieutenant visage pariah
ptomaine syndicate apocalypse whippoorwill gymnastics codeine
sauerbraten consecrate ubiquitous propagate innocent holistic
connoisseur optimal preponderance convalescence advocate paparazzi
exorbitant domicile truculent idiosyncrasy fallacy torturous
fettuccine telepathy physicist formaldehyde pulchritude sepulcher
obeisance masculine memento dossier auxiliary dysfunctional
peaceable perceptive grotesque resuscitate parenthesis capricious
imprimatur voracious innuendo monsignor physician synonymous
daiquiri chimerical perquisite cirrhosis erroneous paradigm
drunkenness intelligible stalactite eczema cryptic uproarious
smorgasbord practicable ignoble hallucinogenic procedural dilemma
piranha treatise elementary beaucoup commodity zephyr impresario
transferred travelogue decaffeinated device coolly arbitrageur
correspondence bachelor saboteur excess abhorrent beleaguer
auspices irreducible filibuster edifice forego indefatigable
exquisite indelible machete transient reproach bureaucrat sandal
hygiene colloquial simultaneous masquerade scurrilous pursue
guerilla (war) sacrilegious exhilarate zeppelin apocryphal wistful
pageantry querulous subliminal protocol pharaoh locale adieu
peignoir enclave fulfill rhetorical glutton impasse Chihuahua
polygamy canister chameleon whimsical collectible withhold quiche
masseur detente appropriate erosion hemorrhage medicinal epithet
prenuptial aluminum requisite diligent beneficiary omitted
fusillade vague forfeiture annulment anticipate incorrigible
occasionally tremendous cologne avoirdupois electrician anemone
expungeable forego brogue suborn relegate recommend internecine
hosiery licorice meiosis parlance committee oscillate earring
incidentally colloquy respite sustenance embarrassed concentrate
harangue archaeology misfit solicitous continuum notoriety pittance
wherewithal allegiance susceptible dietitian pecuniary exaggerate
ukulele syntax accordion dyslexic composite subterranean millennium
syllabus comedienne infinitesimal eclectic stalagmite fuchsia
glamorous toupee mezzanine fissure catatonic colloquially amnesty
curvaceous Fahrenheit deficient infallible aneurism psyche
reminisce hypocrisy definite synthesize asinine eccentric
caterpillar fuselage scalpel irrepressible septuagenarian avarice
corrosion apropos ostrich unprecedented inchoate opaque
televangelist masseuse surveyor roulette tyrannosaurus giraffe
overwhelm nouveau riche kerosene rutabaga fricassee criticize
mortgage pirogi haphazard mimicry psychosomatic debilitate matinee
plenteous gigolo octogenarian boutonniere cursory presumptuous
bouillabaisse separate successful ayatollah menace anomalous
repertoire celestial epitaph potpourri novitiate enthusiastically
anathematize governor curmudgeon phlegmatic prevalent pomegranate
faux pas appetite leprosy implacable grimace forsythia retaliate
misgivings expel pantomime echelon blasphemy therapeutic distance
hierarchy syllogism gelatin circuitous tonsillectomy tragic chateau
toreador accessory ostensible anoint havoc harass eponymous
turbulence imbroglio sassafras austerity bassinet antediluvian
analysis lasagna sophomoric climatic promenade changeable imitate
fortuitous quiescent ceremony wondrous chutzpah suspicious
resilience inoculate incisor extravagant denouement dissect
fallacious dumbbell equipment handkerchief soporific spinach
furlough philodendron hysterical parmesan hypochondriac receivable
quizzical hallelujah counterfeit pilgrimage diphtheria preferred
malfeasance euphemism specimen climactic corollary palpable
incendiary avant-garde atheist voyeurism cummerbund preemptive
anachronistic peccadillo publicly override leprechaun apprentice
octahedron poinsettia infancy transcendental proselytize terse
personnel headdress legislature sycophant discotheque eloquent
vignette psychedelic consensus declension philatelist homage
facsimile symmetrical dimension quarantine consanguineous feminine
unnerve queue (line-up) courier scythe addressable
dialogue precipice hieroglyphics parliament oxymoron entrepreneur
lavender hubbub savoir faire insinuate camellia deterrence precious
decrepit orangutan conjecture liquefy zucchini gigabyte plaintiff
genealogy peninsula odoriferous pusillanimous beguile dichotomy
brassiere prophecy souffle collateral satellite kleptomaniac
rotisserie deceive hypocrite bouffant centigrade penicillin
diaphragm versatile reticent tarpaulin facade lyceum pyrrhic myriad
champagne amethyst assent (agree) fracas vacillate heinous vacuous
proboscis decibel innocuous irascible conspicuous coefficient
crustacean exuberant kaleidoscope silhouette disgraceful gladiolus
minuscule syringe synopsis pachyderm conjure accommodate
crystallize despair derriere soliloquy emancipate defendant
paraphernalia tentacle businessman mademoiselle virulent stoically
staphylococcus feign intransigence luminescence millionaire lozenge
aficionado caricature ephemeral supercilious anecdote mousse (hair)
protege cronyism imbecile reconnoiter spontaneous putrefy odyssey
supremacy turmeric clairvoyance ambitious omniscient chlorophyll
rampage physique ingenue diorama collision picayune receipt
chronicles chastise exhaust desecrate debonair obstinate facetious
stubbornness grateful chassis dachshund platypus analogous
cappuccino grammar dispel encephalitis desolate phenomenal
insouciant nutrient illegitimate fait accompli lightning
forbearance buoyant ambiguous cataclysm cuneiform ignorance
garrulous remittance franchise maelstrom archaeopteryx flourish
perseverance paean archaic syncopated vinaigrette prowess
vaudevillian bouillon ballistics flabbergasted kielbasa conversant
aesthetic cater cornered absence desperate flotation
[0021] The spelling difficulty of the words in each game level is
determined by various criteria. Initially, as noted above, the
spelling words for each game level are obtained from known age and
educational grade level spelling lists. In order to minimize
inconsistencies in determining the appropriate grade level and/or
difficulty of any given spelling word(s), words taken from known
spelling lists are preferably from the same source.
[0022] Other criteria useful for determining the difficulties of
the spelling words include the word length in letters, number of
syllables, the number of silent letters, the number of double
letters, how often the average player at a given game level would
typically read, write, hear or speak the word in the course of the
player's studies, recreational activities and/or normal daily
interactions, the number of possible spellings caused by sounds
that can be spelled by at least two different letters or
combinations of letters following the "non-phonetic rules"
described below, the number of homonyms, the degree to which the
same sound/letter combinations are contained in other words in the
same age or educational grade level of the game or in a lower age
or lower educational grade level of the game. One or more of these
criteria can be used to distinguish between levels of difficulty
for words within a game level.
[0023] Generally, spelling words that are in the EASIER spelling
difficulty category are common, everyday words that are spelled
exactly as they sound. By "common every day words" is meant words
that the average age or educational grade appropriate player would
be expected to read, write, hear or speak in the normal course of
the player's studies, recreational activities and/or normal daily
interactions. The words in the EASIER category of any game level
will also generally be shorter in number of letters and of the
lowest relative vocabulary difficulty of the words included in that
game level.
[0024] For the purposes of this invention, the following are
considered to be among the most basic and common non-phonetic
letter/sound patterns in the English language and are referred to
herein as the "non-phonetic rules":1) The addition of the letter
"e" at the end of a word will generally create a long vowel sound
in the preceding vowel; 2) A long "e" sound at the end of a word is
generally formed by the letter "y"; 3) A "k" sound at the end of a
word is usually formed by the letters "ck"; 4) A "k" sound at the
beginning of a word is usually a hard "c" rather than a "k"; 5) The
vowel sound in words rhyming with the word "book" is formed by the
letters "oo"; 6) The vowel sound in words rhyming with the word
"cool" is generally formed by the letters "oo"; 7) The sound "owt"
is formed by the letters "out"; 8) The sound "kw" is formed by the
letters "qu"; 9) The sound "shon" is formed either by the letters
"tion" or "sion"; 10) The sound "yon" is usually formed by the
letters "ion". For the purpose of determining the spelling
difficulty category of a particular word, it is presumed that the
player(s) has knowledge of phonics as well as knowledge of the
non-phonetic rules. Therefore the occurrence of the non-phonetic
letter/sound patterns in any word will not affect the spelling
difficulty category of the word except in game levels one and two
where full knowledge of phonics and the non-phonetic rules is not
presumed. In game levels one and two, words may be categorized in
other than the EASIER category, on the presumption that the rules
of phonics and the non-phonetic rules are still being learned by
the player. The term "phonics" is used herein to indicate knowledge
of symbols, e.g. one or more letters, that represent only one
speech sound.
[0025] Sound/letter patterns and possible spellings and/or
questionable spelling sounds which are included in words in the
MORE DIFFICULT category of a lower level of the game, can be used
in the INTERMEDIATE category of the next highest game level and
possibly in the EASIER category of the game levels higher than
that.
[0026] Since the words in the EASIER category are spelled, for the
most part, exactly as they sound, or can be spelled correctly by a
player with knowledge of the most basic and common letter/sound
patterns of the language of the word to be spelled and because of
the words' shorter length in number of letters, the anticipated
higher degree of familiarity with the words, it is anticipated that
a player's probability of correctly guessing the spelling of a word
that the player is unfamiliar with in the EASIER category of any
game level will be greater than 75%.
[0027] As a general rule, the vocabulary level for the INTERMEDIATE
spelling words will be higher than that of the EASIER words and the
vocabulary level for the MORE DIFFICULT spelling words will be
higher than that of the INTERMEDIATE words.
[0028] Most of the words in the INTERMEDIATE category words will
suggest one alternate spelling, i.e. one correct spelling and one
improper spelling for a player who has knowledge of phonics and the
"non-phonetic rules" and utilizes that knowledge. As used herein,
"alternate spelling" indicates that a word has more than one
spelling, albeit incorrect, as a result of a sound which may be
spelled by at least two different letters or at least two different
combinations. Examples of words that have alternate spellings
include heat or heet, girl or gurl, and coat or cote. Words having
alternate spellings also include words that have two different
spellings and have different meanings dependent on their spelling,
such as heal and heel, and too and two, (i.e. homonyms).
INTERMEDIATE spelling difficulty words may also include words with
one alternate spelling by reason of a word having an "alternate
spelling sound" caused by a silent letter or a double letter. As
used herein, "alternate spelling sound" is a sound that can be
formed by either of two different letters or by at least two
different combinations of letters. Words containing alternate
spelling sounds also include words that have silent letters or
double letters.
[0029] Since the INTERMEDIATE category words are chosen, for the
most part, to suggest only one alternate spelling, a player having
knowledge of phonics and non-phonetic rules and utilizes that
knowledge, it is anticipated that a player's probability of
correctly guessing the spelling of a word that the player is
unfamiliar with in the INTERMEDIATE category of any game level will
be about 50%.
[0030] All of the words in the MORE DIFFICULT will suggest at least
one improper spelling to the average age or educational grade
appropriate player, and many of the words in the MORE DIFFICULT
category will suggest two or more improper spellings to such a
player.
[0031] The words categorized in each game level as MORE DIFFICULT
are also often identified as "spelling demon" words. As used
herein, the term "spelling demon" means words identified as such
and words on lists contained on the world wide web or in printed
lists or published books of spelling words or words that appear in
compilations of the most often misspelled words or in compilations
of most difficult spelling words that are contained on the world
wide web or in printed lists or published books of spelling
words.
[0032] Examples of spelling demon lists found on the world wide web
including websites such as:
http://www.infoplease.com/cig/grammar-style/spelling-demons.html
http://classroom.jc-schools.net/read/spelldemons.htm
http://www.ccs.k12.in.us/cte/Classroom/5th
%20Grade/Mahnesmith/Curriculum/Spelling
http://www.esldesk.com/esliquizzes/misspelled-words/misspelled-words.htm
http://www.wsu.edu/.about.briands/errors/misspelled.html
http://www.yourdictionary.com/library/150more.html and
http://www.brnsdle.demon.co.uk/spell/error.html. These sites are
provided as examples.
[0033] Words categorized as MORE DIFFICULT within a particular game
level will generally be words that the average age or educational
appropriate player will be the least familiar with. In other words,
words within a particular game level that the average player at a
given game level will have the least occasion to use, read, speak
and/or hear in the course of that player's studies, recreational
activities and/or normal daily interactions.
[0034] As a result of the combination of multiple alternate
spellings, alternate spelling sounds, the higher relative
vocabulary level of the word, and because of the frequent inclusion
of known "spelling demons" words in the MORE DIFFICULT category of
the game, it is anticipated that a player's probability of
correctly guessing the spelling of a word that the player is
unfamiliar with in the MORE DIFFICULT category of any game level
will be less than 25%.
[0035] Some of the words on the spelling cards, regardless of game
level, will have homonyms. A homonym is a word that is identical in
pronunciation to other words but differing in meaning, e.g. hair
and hare. If a spelling word has a homonym, a word in parenthesis
is written next to the spelling word which the reader uses to
distinguish which word should be spelled. For example, if the
spelling word is "hair" the word "head" may appear in parenthesis
next to it and the reader should say "hair, as in hair on your
head", or make a similar statement when reading the word to the
speller.
[0036] The illustrated embodiment also comprises playing cards
which are used to add excitement and competition to the game. The
playing cards include "BUZZLEBEE" cards that a player draws during
play. Each of these "BUZZLEBEE" cards has instructions which direct
a player's movement of his playing piece. These instructions are
sometimes beneficial; however, they can also be detrimental. A
playing card, which is identified as a "BUZZLEBEE Card" in the
preferred embodiment of the game, is drawn when a player lands on
one of the "Bee" spaces on the game board. Use of the playing cards
and the instructions printed on the playing cards is described more
fully below.
[0037] The random determining means preferably comprises one die
which preferably comprises six sides with indicia corresponding to
different levels of spelling difficulty. During play, a die is
rolled by a player to determine the spelling difficulty of the
spelling word to be spelled by that player. Alternatively, the
determining means may include a spinner or other such device. The
indicia on the die or other determining means comprises one or more
different colors, shapes, numbers, other indicia, or a combination
of different indicia.
[0038] This illustrated embodiment uses three different colors, to
identify three different levels of spelling difficulty of words on
each spelling card. For example, a die using color as an indicia to
differentiate the different spelling difficulties has 2 opposite
yellow sides, 2 opposite_green sides and 2 opposite blue sides. The
yellow indicia identifies words of an EASIER spelling difficulty
level, the green indicia identifies words of an INTERMEDIATE
spelling difficulty level, and the blue indicia identifies words of
a MORE DIFFICULT spelling difficulty level.
[0039] The following is a description of the method of play of the
illustrated embodiment. Play begins by each player selecting one of
the playing pieces to move along the game board. The players then
place their playing pieces on a START space 11 identified on the
board by an indicia at the lower left hand corner of the game
board. About one hundred spelling cards are randomly selected from
the three hundred spelling cards 30 provided for each game level.
If all players are in Level 1 of the game, then only spelling cards
from that game level will be used. However, if there are players of
different game levels playing, about one hundred spelling cards
from each of those different game levels will be randomly selected
so that each player is challenged with spelling words of the
appropriate game level. After the spelling cards are selected, each
deck of selected spelling cards is placed with the spelling word
side down and the appropriate stack is moved as play progresses so
that it is within the reach of the next reader or a designated
reader of the spelling word.
[0040] A designated person can be chosen who only reads the words
and does not take part in spelling any words, i.e. a "designated
reader". Alternatively, if there is not a designated reader, the
player to the right of the player rolling the die, i.e., the
speller, will be the "reader" for that turn. A player begins his
turn by rolling the die to determine the difficulty level of his
spelling word. The reader selects a spelling card by drawing the
first card from the appropriate deck of spelling words according to
the speller's game level and the reader reads the word on the
selected spelling card corresponding to the difficulty level
determined by the indicia on the die rolled by the speller. If the
player requests the word's definition and/or derivation, the reader
will also read the definition and/or derivation for the speller
from a dictionary. The speller will, optionally, write his spelling
word on a piece of paper, to facilitate his decision on a final
spelling. The speller then reads his final spelling of the selected
spelling word aloud. If the speller's printed spelling is correct
but he mistakenly reads the spelling aloud incorrectly, the
spelling will be considered correct if the speller shows his
correct printed spelling to the other players and all other printed
spelling attempts are crossed out.
[0041] The reader then announces if the word is spelled correctly
and, if it is correct, the reader then shows the spelling to the
other players so that they can verify that the word was spelled
correctly. The speller then moves his playing piece on the game
board. The difficulty level of the word spelled correctly is used
to determine how many spaces the player moves his playing piece. A
correct spelling of an EASIER spelling word allows the speller to
move one space on the game board while a correct spelling of an
INTERMEDIATE spelling word results in a two space move, and a
correct spelling of a MORE DIFFICULT spelling word results in a
three space move of the speller's playing piece. Alternative
numbers of spaces can be utilized, as can other measurements of
advancement in other embodiments. For example, a player can be
awarded a higher number of points for a MORE DIFFICULT word than
for an INTERMEDIATE word in a game wherein scores are based upon
points.
[0042] If the speller spells the word incorrectly, his playing
piece is not moved. The spelling card used by the speller, i.e. the
used spelling card, is then placed face down in a discard pile to
separate it from the unused spelling cards. The next player then
takes his turn by rolling the die to determine his spelling word
difficulty. The player who was just the speller then becomes the
reader for the next speller's turn. The new reader draws the next
card from the appropriate spelling deck and reads the appropriate
spelling word to the next speller. Each player continues taking
turns rolling the die to determine the difficulty of their spelling
word to be spelled and spelling the words until all players have
had one turn. After all players have had a chance to spell a word,
they continue in the same order. If the spelling cards run out for
any given spelling level during play, another one hundred spelling
cards are randomly chosen from the spelling cards provided. In the
event that all three hundred spelling cards in any given level are
used during one game, the discarded spelling cards are reshuffled,
and placed face down to be re-used as needed. In the event that a
spelling word turns up twice in the same game after the spelling
cards are re-shuffled, that card should be discarded and the next
card should be used.
[0043] The object of the game is to be the first player to move
from the START space to a FINISH space. The FINISH space is located
on the upper right hand corner of the illustrated game board and is
identified by an indicia, such as a bee hive in a tree. An
embodiment of the present game board is shown in FIG. 1.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 1, the game board 10 comprises
several game spaces beginning at the START space 11 and ending at
the FINISH space 12. Some of these game spaces are identified as
BONUS spaces which are distinguished by different indicia and are
more fully described below. The illustrated embodiment has eighteen
BONUS spaces. A number of these BONUS spaces are identified with an
indicia of a bee and are called BEE spaces 13. When a player lands
on a BEE space 13, he is required to randomly draw one of a
plurality of cards that are known in the preferred embodiment as
"BUZZLEBEE" Cards. Examples of the "BUZZLEBEE" Cards are shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4. Each of the "BUZZLEBEE Cards" has instructions
written on one side which directs the player's next playing piece
movement, which is sometimes beneficial to the player, or sometimes
detrimental.
[0045] Directions on the "BUZZLEBEE" Cards include 1) directing a
player to move his playing piece to another BONUS space and follow
the directions of the other BONUS space, 2) directing a player to
go to the nearest space located on a "shortcut," 3) directing a
player to move to the space three spaces behind the leader, and 4)
directing the player to send another player back a certain number
of spaces. If a BUZZLEBEE card directs a player to move three
spaces behind the leader, the player must move his playing piece
three spaces behind the player who is closest to the FINISH space
12. However, if one of the BUZZLEBEE cards is drawn by the leader,
the player must also follow the directions on the playing card and
move back three spaces from where the player is when the playing
card is drawn. If the BUZZLEBEE CARD directs a player to send
another player back, the player can send the playing piece of a
player of his choosing back five spaces. Players are moved back no
matter where they are on the game board, even if they are on a
BRIDGE or on the BEE-LINE EXPRESS. The BRIDGE and BEE-LINE EXPRESS
are identified below. If the player who is sent back is less than
five spaces from the START, he moves back to the START 11. If the
player is sent back to another BONUS space, the player must also
follow the rules of that BONUS space. Once all players on BONUS
spaces have completed their turns, play resumes in normal order
with the player to the left of the last speller. The purpose of the
BONUS cards is to give a player who is far behind some hope of
catching up, so that the player does not lose interest in
playing.
[0046] There is at least one card, and preferably three cards, in
the BONUS card deck identified as a B-Z PASS card, as shown in FIG.
4, which are used to give a player an advantage in by-passing a
BRIDGE space 16 near the FINISH space 12.
[0047] Additional BONUS spaces on the game board include other
indicia and upon landing on such spaces, a player must follow the
directions for that particular BONUS space. In the preferred
embodiment, some BONUS spaces include flower indicia and are
identified as FLOWER spaces 15. If a player lands on a FLOWER space
15, the player advances his playing piece two spaces. In the
preferred embodiment, other BONUS spaces include indicia of a honey
pot and are identified as HONEY POT spaces 14. If a player lands on
a HONEY POT space 14, the player is allowed an extra turn to roll
the die and, therefore, an opportunity to spell another word.
[0048] As noted above, the game board comprises a plurality of
shortcuts which allow a player to move ahead and bypass a number of
spaces. The spaces comprise a continuous circuitous path, as shown
in FIG. 1, wherein the spaces create loops on the right and left of
the game board. The SHORTCUT spaces 18 comprise three spaces, a
space with an indicia such as a spider web 19, a blank space and a
second spider web space 19. These shortcuts are identified as
"BEE-LINE EXPRESS" spaces 17. The "BEE-LINE EXPRESS" spaces 17 are
accessed when a player reaches the space marked "BEE-LINE EXPRESS"
which is positioned at the bottom of a SHORTCUT 18 as shown in FIG.
1. When a player moves to or past a "BEE-LINE EXPRESS" space 17,
the player has the option of stopping at a "BEE-LINE EXPRESS" space
17 and moving across the SHORTCUT 18 on his next turn, or
continuing the long way around the loop of the circuitous path.
[0049] Once a player elects to take the "BEE-LINE EXPRESS"
SHORTCUT, there is no need to roll the die to determine his
spelling word difficulty. Instead, the player must spell the next
MORE DIFFICULT spelling word from his appropriate game level. The
player moves across the SHORTCUT 18 only by spelling MORE DIFFICULT
spelling words. Once the player correctly spells a MORE DIFFICULT
spelling word, the player moves to the blank space on the shortcut
between the two spider web spaces 19. The player cannot move onto a
spider web space 19. Once the player has passed the first spider
web space 19 the player must continue to move across the SHORTCUT
18 by spelling another MORE DIFFICULT word on the player's next
turn. Until the player's game piece moves past the first spider web
19 onto the shortcut the player can change his or her mind and roll
the die on his or her next turn and move along the loop on the
circuitous path. The player's playing piece moves over the second
spider web 19 only when the player correctly spells another MORE
DIFFICULT spelling word, at which time the player moves one space
forward onto the next space on the game board. On the player's next
turn, the player follows the normal rules of movement of the game.
In order to make the selection process, i.e. whether to take the
SHORTCUT 18, more interesting, BONUS spaces such as those
identified above, i.e. FLOWER spaces 15 and/or HONEY POT spaces 14,
are placed along the loops of the path.
[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, there is a BRIDGE 16 near the
FINISH 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The BRIDGE 16 has an upper level and
a lower level. The upper level of the BRIDGE 16 is similar to the
SHORTCUT spaces 18 and comprises a spider web space 19, a blank
space and another spider web space 19. The lower level 20 of the
BRIDGE 16 follows the regular game board path and comprises a
number of spaces, preferably at least three spaces marked with an
indicia, such as B-Z PASS ONLY. The space before the BRIDGE 16 is
marked with an indicia such as an arrow 21 pointing in the
direction of the upper level of the BRIDGE 16, or by some other
method to indicate that it is a special space. This space is
followed by a "barrier" 22 in the direction of the lower level of
the BRIDGE which serves as a visual reminder that the space cannot
be passed according to the normal game movement rules. When a
player reaches the ARROW space 21, the player must stop unless the
player has acquired one of the B-Z PASS cards available in the
BUZZLEBEE card deck as shown in FIG. 4. If a player does not have a
B-Z PASS card, he must move across the upper level of the BRIDGE
16. After landing on the ARROW space 21, the player must wait until
his next turn to spell a MORE DIFFICULT spelling words to move past
the first spider web on the upper level of the BRIDGE 16. A player
on the BRIDGE 16 must continue to attempt to spell MORE DIFFICULT
spelling words until he correctly spells a second MORE DIFFICULT
spelling word. If the player correctly spells a second MORE
DIFFICULT spelling word, the player moves over the second spider
web 19 on the BRIDGE 16 and back onto the regular game board path.
Players who have B-Z Pass cards do not need to move past the
barrier of the upper level of the BRIDGE 16, but rather can move
across the lower level of the BRIDGE 20 according to the regular
rules of the game by handing in the B-Z PASS card that they
previously obtained.
[0051] The illustrated board game and cards are provided only as
examples. From the present description, one skilled in the art
could design alternatives without departing from the scope of the
present invention. For example, different game boards can be
designed to appeal to the particular age level of the players, such
as a first version for grades 1 through 4, and a second version for
grades 5 through 8. These and/or adult board versions may also
incorporate educational and ecological information about bees.
[0052] In another embodiment wherein more than two players are
playing, a special optional rule will prevail. If the players
decide to apply the special optional rule, when a player spells a
word incorrectly, the player in last place is given an opportunity
to "steal" that word by correctly spelling the word. This player is
referred to herein as the "alternate speller." The alternate
speller must not be the reader, must not be the original speller
and must be in the same game level as the original speller, or in a
lower game level. If the player that is in last place is supposed
to be the next reader, another player can read the card instead so
that the alternate speller rule is available to the player in last
place. A player that is on one of the spaces between the spider
webs on the BEE-LINE EXPRESS or on either space on the BRIDGE is
not eligible to be an alternate speller. A player on the first
space of a BEE-LINE EXPRESS is eligible to be an alternate speller
but may use a correctly spelled "stolen" word only to move around
the loop along the regular spaces on the playing board, not across
the BEE-LINE EXPRESS shortcut.
[0053] If there are two players tied for last place, each player
must roll the die to determine who will be considered the first
alternate speller. On a die where the different indicia are colors,
priority of the colors corresponds to the level of difficulty, i.e.
the highest colors will be the color that is designated for the
MORE DIFFICULT words. If the players roll the same indicia on the
die, there is a tie and they must roll the die again. An incorrect
answer will not be penalized and the alternate player will still
take his or her regular turn. If the first alternate speller does
not spell the word correctly, then the player that is in next to
last place, i.e. the second alternate speller, can attempt to spell
the word. Similarly, if the second alternate speller misspells the
word, each of the other eligible players can attempt to spell the
word, in reverse order of their position on the game board until
the word is spelled correctly or until all eligible players have
had a chance, whichever occurs first. If an alternate speller
correctly spells the misspelled word, he moves the number of spaces
designated for the word.
[0054] When the players are of different game levels and different
level spelling cards are being used, an alternate speller who is in
a lower game level than the original speller and who correctly
spells the misspelled word, will be awarded a one space bonus for
each level that he is below the original speller. For example, if
an alternate speller in Level 1 correctly spells a MORE DIFFICULT
word from Level 2, the alternate speller moves his playing piece
four spaces, i.e. three spaces for correctly spelling a MORE
DIFFICULT word plus one additional space because the word is one
level above the alternate speller's level. The alternate speller
has the option to choose not to take the one additional space
bonus, if he decides that to do so is not beneficial. The purpose
of this rule is to make the game more competitive by mitigating the
effect of the age advantage within each grade level, e.g. 3.sup.rd
graders versus 4.sup.th graders competing within the same game
level, i.e. Level 2. This rule allows the involvement of more than
one player in the game on each word, gives the younger and/or less
accomplished players more practice spelling words, and challenges
younger players to attempt to spell more difficult words.
[0055] The winner of the present spelling game is the first player
to reach the FINISH space. The final move made by a player to land
on the FINISH space is preferably by an exact number of spaces. For
example, if a player is two spaces away from the FINISH and rolls
an indicia that would allow him more than two spaces then the
player must wait until his next turn to roll the die again.
[0056] The reader will use the dictionary pronunciation guide, if
the reader is not familiar with the correct pronunciation. The
rules will also encourage parents to become involved as designated
readers and will encourage the reader to show the playing card to
the other players and ask for their help (except the speller and
last place alternate speller) if the reader has a question about
the word's pronunciation so that a proper pronunciation of the word
can be made.
[0057] In another embodiment, the game can be played in teams, with
each team taking one playing piece. A team can be identified by the
color of the game piece, e.g. the "red" team or the "orange" team.
The members of the team elect a team captain. During play, the
teammates discuss the spelling of the word among themselves, and
the captain then announces the team's final spelling answer.
[0058] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to
an electronic version comprising an annunciator to announce the
spelling words. Use of the annunciator eliminates the need for a
designated reader for the game or that the players take turns being
the reader. It also allows the last player to be an "alternate
speller" in the optional game of play without concern over whether
the last player was the reader for that particular turn. In
addition, the use of the electronic annunciator further sharpens
the player's skill in word pronunciation because the players will
not question the pronunciation of a word by a reader as may occur
in a non-electronic version.
[0059] A preferred electronic embodiment shown in FIG. 5 comprises
internal circuitry for randomly determining the difficulty of the
word to be spelled. This embodiment comprises a row of five buttons
51a-51e for players to input the game level of the word to be
announced and spelled by the player whose turn it is. This
embodiment also comprises a button 53 which is depressed in order
to have the device 50 announce a word. Upon depression of button
53, device 50 randomly chooses a word and announces the word. The
difficulty level of the word is indicated by one of three lights
wherein light 62 is yellow and indicates an EASIER word, a green
light 64 indicates an INTERMEDIATE word, and a blue light 66 which
indicates a MORE DIFFICULT word. If a player wishes to have a word
repeated, a player can depress button 53 again and device 50 will
repeat the word. In order to obtain a definition of the word,
button 55 is depressed and device 50 will announce a definition or
provide some other indication of the word's meaning.
[0060] After a player has spelled the word, upon depressing button
57 device 50 will provide an indication of the correct spelling of
the word. According to this illustrated embodiment, that indication
is provided audibly through speaker 75 and visibly on rotatable
electronic screen 70, however, in alternative embodiments the
correct spelling can be provided either audibly or visibly.
Depressing button 53, device 50 will continue to announce the same
word until the device has received input that a new word is desired
by the depression of button 59. When it is time to move on to a
different word, button 59 is depressed prior to the depression of
button 53.
[0061] In another embodiment, the electronic annunciator further
comprises circuitry for identifying machine-readable indicia such
as a bar code reader. In this embodiment, the spelling cards are
provided with some machine-readable indicia, such as a bar code.
Such code may be on the same side of the spelling cards that shows
the spelling words. Upon passing the spelling card through the bar
code reader and the annunciator announces the appropriate word.
[0062] In yet another embodiment, the annunciator further comprises
means for inputting a spelling word, which is then announced by the
annunciator. This input means comprises a keyboard.
[0063] The electronic and mechanical details of the voice
annunciator, the random card selector and circuitry involved in the
electronic embodiment are not provided herein since they are within
the level of skill of one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0064] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
game show embodiment wherein a game show host is the designated
reader. This embodiment can be played by individual players or by
teams. In one such embodiment, there are multiple categories of
word difficulties, chosen by incorporating into the highest
categories words included in the MORE DIFFICULT category of the
board game as well as words used in the championship level of known
national spelling bees. In this embodiment, contestants are asked
to spell words chosen in the same manner as are the words included
in the EASIER and INTERMEDIATE levels of the game in the earlier
rounds of the competition for lower amounts of points and/or money
and to progressively spell more difficult words as the game
progresses, with the penalty of losing accumulated points or money
if a word is misspelled. In one such embodiment, there are three
contestants who initially have spell-off rounds requiring each
player to spell one randomly chosen word of the same difficulty
level in each round. A misspelling of any word by a player results
in that player being removed from the game unless all other players
also misspelled their word in that round, in which event another
spell-off round would ensue. The last remaining player after the
spell-off advances to the prize round of the game to earn_points
and/or money as described above. A computer game could also be
designed to follow the same format.
[0065] In another embodiment, all three contestants spell a
randomly selected word and the dollar and/or point value of a
correctly spelled word is determined by the percentage of members
of the studio audience and or viewers who spell the same word
incorrectly, (e.g. if 75% of the viewers spell the word incorrectly
the player earns $7,500 for correctly spelling the word or, if 25%
of the studio audience/viewers spell the word incorrectly, the
player earns $2,500 for correctly spelling the word. The
viewer/studio_audience spelling of the word could be done by text
messaging or by some other electronic means. The winning player for
each game advances to play against two new contestants in the next
game and continues to play until he or she lost. In one embodiment,
the members of the studio audience can qualify as contestants for
the next game by scoring the most number of points based upon their
spelling answers in the previous game. Viewers can qualify for
inclusion in the studio audience on the same basis.
[0066] In one internet-based embodiment of the game, players
compete against each other by attempting to simultaneously spell
the same randomly determined word within a pre-determined time
limit (e.g. 15 seconds). A misspelled word prevents a player from
being able to advance to the next randomly determined spelling
word. The last one hundred players remaining would earn points in
reverse order of their finish (e.g. one hundred points for first
place, one point for 100.sup.th place). Results would be tabulated
daily with the top players being identified by their chosen code
name.
[0067] While the various embodiments described herein have been
described using an Americanized version of the English language,
the present invention is not limited to use in English and can be
played in other languages.
* * * * *
References