Spell It!

The short version: Spell It! is the official free study site from the Scripps National Spelling Bee and Merriam-Webster. It organizes about 1,150 words by language of origin — Latin, Greek, and more — so students learn the patterns behind spellings rather than just memorizing lists. It's a focused study tool, best for motivated spellers, not a full spelling curriculum.

What it does well

• Completely free and authoritative. Built by the two organizations that run and reference the national bee.
• Teaches patterns, not just words. Grouping by language of origin helps students decode unfamiliar words by recognizing roots and rules.
• Clear structure. Sections build from Latin and Greek through words from other languages, with tips for each group.

What's missing

• No interactivity or tracking. It's essentially a well-organized word list — there are no quizzes, games, or progress records.
• Narrow scope. Aimed at spelling-bee preparation, not everyday spelling instruction for younger or struggling spellers.
• Self-directed. A student needs motivation to work through it; it won't drive practice on its own.

Who it's for

Best for upper-elementary and middle-school students preparing for a spelling bee, or strong spellers who want to deepen their understanding of word origins. Younger kids will need a more structured phonics or spelling program first.

Alternatives worth knowing

• Wordly Wise 3000 — a structured vocabulary program if your goal is comprehension and word meaning alongside spelling.
• More spelling resources — browse phonics and spelling programs suited to daily instruction.

Bottom line

For bee prep, Spell It! is the gold-standard free resource. As a daily spelling program it's too narrow — use it to sharpen a capable speller, not to teach one from the ground up.