Largest Canadian National Spelling Bee

August 28, 2006

ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation today announces the creation of the My Bee In A B-o-x(TM) project, a national, bilingual program to encourage teachers, librarians and families across Canada to engage in a non-competitive spelling bee or other spelling-related activity in school, in a library, or at home, on the same day, September 8, 2006.
Presented in partnership with Sharp Electronics of Canada, Maple Pictures Corp., and BLOCKBUSTER(R) Canada, the project is designed to create the largest simultaneous spelling game ever in this country.

The HIVE of Activity
A bilingual website has been developed at mybeeinabox.ca (monjeudemots.ca), which provides all the resources teachers, librarians and families need to run a just-for-fun spelling bee, including:

– How to Host a Bee;
– Ways to Play (for both team and individual bees);
– Grade-specific word lists (for Grades 1 – 8);
– Ideas for alternate bees and other fun spelling games to play on
International Literacy Day;
– Customizable Certificates of Participation;
– Tips for better spelling and other spelling helpers for use year- round.

There are special sections on hosting Class/Library Bees and Family Bees and all the website resources are easy to use and available for use as downloadable PDF documents.
“My Bee In A B-o-x(TM) was designed to help raise awareness for literacy while offering a fun way to engage Canadians in literacy-building activities,” says Margaret Eaton, President, ABC CANADA. “ABC CANADA commends our My Bee In A B-o-x(TM) partners for building a program that speaks to their commitment to literacy and promotes the issue in such an innovative way.”

Diverse partners combine efforts to promote common cause Sharp, Maple Pictures and BLOCKBUSTER(R) Canada have all contributed various promotional elements and marketing resources to the project, including merchandise, advertising and in-store activities. Each partner has also made a financial contribution to ABC CANADA’s literacy promotion activities.
“Literacy and learning have always been central to the development of Sharp’s product offering,” explains Vicki McAloney, Product Marketing Manager, Office and Home Comfort Products, Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd. “The My Bee In A B-o-x(TM) program is in line with Sharp’s longstanding commitment to offering quality learning-based products, including calculators and electronic dictionaries.”
“We’re thrilled to be a part of this exciting program that reinforces the importance of literacy in such a fun way,” says Angie Burns, VP Publicity and Promotions, Maple Pictures Corp. “The timing of the My Bee in A B-o-x project coincides with our DVD launch of pro-literacy movie Akeelah and the Bee, which made our involvement in this program a natural fit.”

Special BLOCKBUSTER(R) In-store Activities:
BLOCKBUSTER(R) Canada is supporting the My Bee In A B-o-x(TM) project by
offering a Spelling Games and Activities Toolkit to customers who rent or pre-purchase Akeelah and the Bee. The Toolkit includes a step-by-step guide to planning and hosting a just-for-fun Family Bee Night. In addition, all 445 BLOCKBUSTER(R) stores across Canada will host in-store spelling games and activities, with prizing for children and their families, on Saturday,
September 9, 2006 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. Check your local BLOCKBUSTER(R)
or visit blockbuster.ca for more details.
“BLOCKBUSTER(R) Canada is proud to sponsor this important program, and
provide a way for our customers to participate and celebrate with us,” says André Perusse, Director of Entertainment Communications, BLOCKBUSTER(R) Canada. “At BLOCKBUSTER(R), we strive to offer our customers a virtual entertainment fun house. The September 9 in-store events will offer fun activities and, at the same time, support a worthy cause – raising awareness for literacy in Canada.”

Teachers, librarians and families can BEE winners
Teachers, librarians and families are being encouraged to register their bees online for a chance to receive bee-related merchandise for their activity. Schools and libraries could receive one of 500 electronic dictionaries (PWE260), courtesy of Sharp Electronics of Canada or one of 500 Akeelah and the Bee DVDs, courtesy of Maple Pictures. Families who register may receive a Collins Canadian English Dictionary or a Collins French Dictionary, donated by HarperCollinsCanada. Deadline for registrations at mybeeinabox.ca or monjeudemots.ca is September 7, 2006.
When teachers register their school, they also have an opportunity to give a brief description of their class bee for a chance to win $500 for school supplies of their choice and the Bee-Spirited Award. This award will be presented to the school or class that shows the most team spirit when planning or hosting their bee.
For more information, visit www.mybeeinabox.ca.

Posted in Uncategorized