| How to Win a Spelling Bee Posted: 31 Jan 2019 12:00 AM PST If you're preparing for a spelling bee, you don't have to read a dictionary cover to cover, but you do need to study! Whether you're competing at your school or at a higher level, improving your vocabulary and learning word patterns can get you closer to victory. With a lot of hard work and perseverance, you can master the spelling bee and take home a trophy! EditStudying Words - Review the word list if you have one. Familiarize yourself with the words that will appear in the spelling bee. Circle any words that seem difficult or any you don't recognize so you know where to focus most of your attention. Make sure you practice spelling each of the words from the list until you master them.[1]
- Work on word lists made for your grade level before moving on to lists made for higher levels.
- Look for common spelling bee words online if a list isn't provided. Many regional and national spelling bees don't have set word lists, but you can find frequently used words through Merriam-Webster and online study sources. Find words that you find challenging and focus your time on learning them. Start with words in your grade level before studying higher-level words.[2]
- Spell It! From Merriam-Webster lists over 1,000 words that are commonly used in bees along with tips and tricks on how to remember their spelling. You can find the words here: http://myspellit.com/.
- Look on online flashcard websites like Quizlet for study options that other people preparing for spelling bees have made.
- Listen to the pronunciation of each word online so you hear how it sounds. Most online dictionaries offer an audio option where you can hear each word. Type the word into the search bar on the website and click on the small speaker icon to hear the word. This is how the announcer at the spelling bee will say the word.[3]
- Hearing the word while looking at the spelling will help you recognize how the letters are vocalized.
- If you're familiar with phonetic writing, you can find the correct pronunciation in the dictionary.
- Practice spelling 15-20 words every day. Break your workload into manageable chunks of words to focus on. Pair difficult words with ones you're familiar with to give yourself a break between challenging spellings. Work until you master how to spell each word on your list for that given day.[4]
- Revisit words after a week to see if you can spell them correctly again.
- Increase or decrease the number of words you practice depending on what works for you.
- Have someone announce the words so you can practice spelling them out loud. Pretend you're standing in front of a microphone just like you would at the actual spelling bee. When your friend or parent reads off the word, ask any questions you have, such as the definition or country of origin, or have them repeat the word. Practice spelling each word aloud.[5]
- Having someone read the words for you helps prepare you for being on stage as well as work on spelling under pressure.
- Make sure they pronounce the words correctly when they announce the words.
EditImproving Your Vocabulary - Familiarize yourself with common word roots to figure out definitions. Many words are made by combining 2 or more roots that give hints on what the word means. A majority of words in English are formed with Latin or Greek roots. Make a list of common roots you find in your words. When you hear a new word, think back to the definition and the root word to figure out the spelling.[6]
- For example, the word telephone is made up of the roots "tele-" which means "at a distance" and "-phone" which means voice. Knowing these roots can help you spell words like television, telekinesis, or phonograph based on their definitions.
- Look up the etymology of words online to learn the origins of words. Words originating from different countries may have specific rules or patterns that can help you spell the words. For example, words originating from Japan tend to end with a vowel sound or the letter N.[7] Study words that come from various countries and regions of the world to familiarize yourself with their patterns.[8]
- Ask a librarian or English teacher to help you find a book to help you learn etymology.
- Many schools have access to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) that lists the entire history of a word. Ask your librarian if your school or university has an OED login.
- Read more books and look up words you don't know. Keep a dictionary near you as you read books at and above your grade level. If you come across a confusing word, try to guess what the word means based on the rest of the sentence, and then look it up in your dictionary. Make a list of the words you stop for to practice with.[9]
- For example, in the sentence, "I noshed on some pretzels," you may be unfamiliar with the word noshed. Based on the context of the sentence, you can guess that nosh means "to eat." When you look up the word, you'll find nosh means "to eat a snack."
- Some e-readers have a built-in dictionary that lets you look up words just by tapping on them.
- Play word games. Look online for crosswords or practice spelling tests to help improve your spelling and increase your vocabulary. Keep track of words that are challenging so you can come back to them and practice spelling them later.[10]
- If you want to play games with friends, try playing a game of Scrabble, Boggle, or Words with Friends.
EditCompeting in the Spelling Bee - Watch some spelling bees before you compete. If you've never seen or participated in a spelling bee before, familiarizing yourself with what they're like can help you feel more comfortable. Try attending a spelling bee in person or watching footage of different spelling bees online.
- Watching spelling bees can give you an idea of the typical format of the bee and what the on-stage experience is like for the competitors.
- You can watch televised national spelling bees, like the Scripps National Spelling Bee, on stations like ESPN. Check on YouTube for footage of smaller local or regional spelling bees.
- Conquer stage fright. Stay calm while you're on stage by taking slow, deep breaths. Look directly at the announcer rather than anyone in the crowd so you don't get distracted. Listen to the announcer carefully so you hear each word.[11]
- Practicing spelling in front of your friends and family before the day of the spelling bee can help prepare you for standing in front of a larger audience.
- Spell words on your palm with your finger to help remember the spelling. Pretend your finger is a pencil and your other hand is a piece of paper. As you hear the word, start writing it out one letter at a time in your palm. This can help you visualize the word better and recognize any mistakes before you spell the word out loud.[12]
- Take your time when spelling the word. Once you start saying it out loud, you can't make any changes.
- Try writing the words with your finger when you're practicing for the spelling bee to get used to the motions.
- Ask questions about the word if you need clarification. If your spelling bee allows it, ask for the definition, country of origin, and what part of speech the word is so you know what patterns or roots you can expect from your word. If you have trouble hearing the announcer, ask them to repeat the word until you have a clear understanding of it.[13]
- Some spelling bees will allow the announcer to use the word in a sentence so you can hear it in context.
- If you have a word list, start practicing from somewhere different every time. This will help you learn better than just memorizing the order.
- Read a lot to increase your vocabulary.
- Even if you don't get the win the first time, keep trying again and again. If you keep studying and learning, you might be able to win in the coming years.[14]
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| How to Clean Leather Furniture Posted: 30 Jan 2019 04:00 PM PST Leather furniture may look intimidating to clean, but it's surprisingly easy to care for! With some regular upkeep, like vacuuming and wiping it down with a microfiber cloth once a month, you can keep your furniture looking in tiptop shape. Treating stains on your leather furniture is fairly straightforward, too—ink, grease, and drink stains can all be cleaned up with a little care and attention. EditMaintaining Your Leather Furniture - Vacuum the entire piece of furniture once per month. Use the attachments on your vacuum to sweep the cracks and crevices of the furniture. Remove any cushions and vacuum away all visible dirt. Use the soft brush attachment to clean the surface of the furniture, too.[1]
- Always use the vacuum attachments rather than picking up the entire vacuum and putting it on the furniture. The weight of the vacuum and its sharp edges could easily scratch the leather.
- Wipe the furniture down with a microfiber cloth from the top to bottom. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to give the entire piece of furniture a thorough wipe down. Start at the top of the furniture and work your way down so that any dislodged dust or dirt will fall to areas that haven't been wiped clean yet.[2]
- While you're wiping the furniture down, take note of any areas that are stained or particularly dirty so you can treat them later.
- Mix together equal parts vinegar and water to create a cleaning solution. In a small bowl, combine of water with of white vinegar. To prevent spilling the mixture, place the bowl on the ground near the furniture that you're cleaning.[3]
- Test out new cleaning products on an inconspicuous area first just in case it doesn't react well with the leather.[4]
- Use the water and vinegar to wipe away any dirty areas you noticed. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the solution and squeeze it out so that it's damp, but not dripping. Use a gentle, circular motion to clean away dirt and grime. It's not necessary to clean the entire piece of furniture, though it won't hurt the leather to wipe the whole thing down.[5]
- Be very gentle if you're cleaning unprotected leather, as it is much easier to scratch and damage.[6]
- Dry off the water and vinegar with a clean microfiber towel. After you wipe down the piece of furniture, take a clean, dry microfiber towel and wipe away any excess moisture that remains. Avoid letting wet spots air dry.[7]
- If the microfiber cloth gets too wet while you're drying off the furniture, use a fresh, dry towel.
- Apply a conditioner to your furniture every 6 to 12 months. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before you apply the conditioner. Generally, you'll apply the conditioner to a clean washcloth and rub it into the leather using gentle, circular motions. Make sure to check how long the conditioner needs to be left alone before you use the furniture again.[8]
- Test the conditioner out on an inconspicuous area of the furniture before applying it to the entire piece.
EditTreating Stains - Blot away spills as quickly as possible after they occur. As soon as a spill happens, grab some clean paper towels to wipe away the bulk of it. Once that is done, take a clean, dry washcloth and blot the stained area by pressing down on it repeatedly.[9]
- Blotting the spill should help draw up any liquid or matter that has already started to set into the leather.
- Wipe away grease with a dry cloth and baking soda. If your leather is stained with butter, body lotion, oil, or any other kind of grease or fat, use a dry washcloth to wipe off as much of it as you can. Once the grease has mostly been removed, sprinkle enough baking soda over the stain so it's completely covered. Leave the baking soda on the stain for 2 to 3 hours, then wipe it away with a clean cloth.[10]
- Don't use water to wipe away grease stains. Water could actually cause the grease to set into the leather, rather than clearing it away.
- The baking soda helps draw the grease out of the leather, making it easier to wipe away.
- Use rubbing alcohol to address ink stains on your leather furniture. Dip a cotton ball into rubbing alcohol and gently squeeze it out so it's not dripping wet. Then dab the cotton ball against the ink stain to remove it from the leather. Dab in an up-and-down motion, rather than rubbing the area. Stop once the stain has been lifted.[11]
- Depending on how big the stain is, you may need to use more than 1 cotton ball. The stain should transfer from the leather to the cotton ball, so when you notice the cotton looks stained, trade it out for a fresh one.
- Dab away juice and soda stains with a clean cloth and distilled water. Dampen a clean cloth in distilled water, and blot any areas on your leather furniture that have been stained by water-based liquids. After the stain has been blotted, leave the spot to air-dry.[12]
- The water and cloth will clean away any stickiness left from the liquid.
- Mix together lemon juice and cream of tartar to clean beige leather. Mix together of lemon juice and of cream of tartar in a small bowl. Spread the mixture over the stained area. Let it sit for 10 minutes, and then wipe it clean with a damp washcloth.[13]
- Don't use this method on darker pieces, as the lemon juice could lighten the leather.
- Don't saturate leather furniture with water. Always use a cloth to wet the furniture, rather than pouring water directly onto it.[14]
- Avoid ammonia, furniture polishes, saddle soap, and detergents when cleaning protected and unprotected leathers, as they can actually stain the leather themselves.[15]
- If there is a really stubborn stain you can't get out on your own, it may be time to call a professional.
- Keep your leather furniture out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources if you can. The sun and heat can dry out the leather and make it crack or even change the color of the leather.[16]
- Read the manufacturer's instructions prior to cleaning the leather to see if there are any special directions.
EditThings You'll Need EditMaintaining Your Leather Furniture - Vacuum with attachments
- Microfiber cloths
- Water
- White vinegar
- Small bowl
- Leather conditioner
EditTreating Stains - Paper towels
- Washcloth
- Baking soda
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton balls
- Distilled water
- Lemon juice
- Cream of tartar
- Small bowl
- Spoon
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| How to Make Pizza Bagels Posted: 30 Jan 2019 08:00 AM PST Pizza bagels are a great alternative to regular pizza, especially if you have a sudden craving but don't have the time to run to the store. They are easy to make since half of the work is already done for you: the crust. Once you know how to make a basic pizza bagel, you can experiment with all sorts of unique flavors and combinations. EditIngredients - 1 bagel, sliced in half
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of pizza sauce
- 8 slices pepperoni or salami
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) Mozzarella cheese, grated
Serves 1 to 2 EditMaking a Basic Pizza Bagel - Preheat your oven to . This may take a while, so prepare your pizza bagel while you wait for it to heat up.[1]
- If you want to use a microwave, skip this step and move onto the next.
- Place a sliced bagel face-up on a baking sheet. A plain bagel is a great choice, but you can also use a savory bagel, such as wheat, everything, or asiago. Make sure that the cut side of each bagel half is facing up.[2]
- Make clean-up easier by covering the baking sheet with aluminum foil first.[3]
- If you are making this in the microwave, use a microwave-safe plate instead.
- Don't use a sweet bagel, like cinnamon raisin. These flavors won't mix well with the pizza sauce and cheese.
- Spread 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of pizza sauce over each bagel half. The exact amount of sauce does not really matter; you can use more or less to your liking. Plan on using about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) per bagel half, however.[4]
- If you don't have pizza sauce, try pasta sauce or herbed tomato sauce.
- Add 1 tablespoon (7.5 g) of shredded mozzarella cheese to each bagel. You can use more or less cheese if you want, but make sure that you spread it evenly across the top of each bagel half.[5]
- You can use other types of cheese too, such as Cheddar, Parmesan, or a blend.
- Top the bagels off with pepperoni slices, if desired. You should be able to fit 4 mini pepperoni slices or 2 regular pepperoni slices on each bagel half.[6] If you really want this to look like a mini pizza, then stick with the mini pepperoni slices; they should be in diameter.
- No pepperoni? Try salami instead![7]
- You don't have to add the pepperoni or salami if you don't want to.
- Bake the bagels until the cheese has melted and turned bubbly. This will take about 10 minutes in an oven.[8] If you are using the microwave, then 1 minute to 1 minute and 30 seconds should be plenty.[9]
- If you are making only 1 pizza bagel slice in the microwave, cut the cooking time down to 35 to 45 seconds; you don't need to adjust the baking time for the oven, however.
EditTrying Variations - Make a Guido pizza with sliced onion, sausage, and bell peppers. Cut an everything bagel in half, then coat it with pizza sauce. Add some grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese. Top it off with sliced red onion, Italian sausage, and sliced red bell peppers. Bake it until the cheese melts, then garnish it with fresh basil.[10]
- Chop the Italian sausage into small pieces—aim for something about the size of a blueberry.
- Make sure that the Italian sausage is cooked or fried beforehand.
- Cut the basil into thin slices to distribute the flavor evenly.
- Create a Southwestern pizza with barbecue sauce, chicken, and onion. Spread some barbecue sauce over a sliced bagel, then sprinkle a 4-cheese blend over it. Chop a grilled chicken breast into cubes, then mix it with more barbeque sauce. Add this to the pizza, along with some onion slices. Bake the pizza, then garnish it with chopped parsley.[11]
- You probably won't use all of the grilled chicken for the pizza, which is fine.
- Make the grilled chicken cubes small—about .
- Try a Greek-style pizza with onion, artichoke, olives, and tomato. Slice open a sesame bagel, then coat it with hummus. Add some sliced onions, marinated artichoke, kalamata olives, and roasted tomato. Add a sprinkle of feta cheese, then garnish it with oregano. Bake the pizza, then garnish it with some chopped parsley.[12]
- If you don't like hummus, you can use pizza sauce instead.
- Cut the marinated artichoke into smaller pieces and slice the olives in half lengthwise.
- Go gourmet with olive oil, basil, caramelized onions, and mushroom. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over a sliced pumpernickel bagel. Add a few fresh basil leaves, then a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. Top it off with caramelized onion and sliced mushroom. Bake the pizza, then garnish it with chopped basil.[13]
- Use enough basil leaves to cover the bagel. How many you use depends on the size of the basil leaf. Expect to use 1 to 3 leaves.
- Slice the onion beforehand, then sauté it in a frying pan until it turns a golden brown color. Don't sauté the mushrooms; use them fresh.
- Try a supreme pizza with pepperoni, ham, bacon, and bell pepper. Spread pizza sauce over a sliced bagel. Add 5 slices of pepperoni, then top it off with diced, cooked ham, bacon bits, and chopped green bell pepper. Finish it with a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese, then bake the pizza.[14]
- If your bagel has a large hole in the middle, cover it up with a slice of pepperoni.
- You can find bacon bits in the salad garnish section of a grocery store.
- If you can't find bacon bits, fry a strip of bacon until it is crunchy, crumble it into bits, and use those instead.
- Use mini bagels to make mini pizza bites. Use the same process and ingredients, but with mini bagels instead. The main difference is that you'll have to use smaller amounts and cut the ingredients into smaller pieces. For best results, bake the pizzas at for about 6 minutes.[15]
- Rather than slicing your toppings, chop them into tiny pieces instead. This will make them more proportionate and help distribute the flavor.[16]
- Get inspiration from other pizza recipes for your pizza bagel. Look up a pizza recipe online or in a cook book. Top your bagel off with the recommended sauce and toppings. Don't worry about the amounts; just use whatever feels right and looks tasty. Bake the pizza at for about 8 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
- You can make just about any type of pizza on a bagel, including Hawaiian, margarita, and vegetarian.
- Lightly toast the bagels before you add the sauce. This will help keep them from absorbing too much moisture and turning soggy.[17]
- If the bottom of your bagel browns too fast, place a wire rack on the baking sheet first, then bake the bagels on that rack.[18]
- Arrange the toppings to make a smiley face or cut them into fun shapes, like hearts or stars. This is great for kids![19]
- Prepare a larger batch of pizza bagels, then freeze them for a few hours without baking them. Put them into individual zippered bag, then store them in the freezer.[20]
- To reheat frozen pizza bagels, microwave them on high for 1 to 2 minutes, or bake them at for 15 to 20 minutes.[21]
EditThings You'll Need - Oven or microwave
- Baking sheet or plate
- Spoon
- Knife
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