Kate dreaded Mondays because of spelling tests in school. On her first day, she had an unannounced spelling test and struggled, spelling words incorrectly. The other students discovered her poor score and nicknamed her "Spelling Beeing." Kate was upset to have another test on a gloomy Monday. However, she stood up to bullies who were teasing another student they called "Spelling Beeing." Kate and the student, Hannah, became best friends despite continuing teasing from others. Their spelling eventually improved greatly.

1. Judged by a Spelling Test - By Elsie Manuel
It was Monday. A gloomy, rainy Monday. The posters on Kate's walls
seemed duller than ever. Her eyes rested on one. SPELLING TEST DAY was
written across it in bold letters. She winced as she thought of that day.
It had been her first day at school and instead of a free, easy going day to
start the term with, (as they do in most schools) they had a spelling test. First thing
in the morning. Just like that. No warning, no preparation, and definitely no
studying. She was totally unprepared. But she had to do it. She entered the room
with the other kids and sat down. The teacher, Mrs. Thompson, gave them each a
blank sheet and told them to write our names, the date and "Spelling Test" at the
top of the paper. Kate was frozen with fright. She picked up her pencil and tried to
write her name but she was so nervous that it came out all wrong. Mrs. Thompson
walked to the front of the classroom. “Immediately”, came the first word. Kate
spelt it “i-m-e-d-i-a-t-e-l-i-e”. Wrong.
Next word. “Compatible”. Mrs. Thompson’s voice echoed
round the room like thunder. Kate nearly broke her fingers trying to write. Again
she wrote and failed to gain a correct answer. This is how she spelt it: “c-o-m-p-u-t-
a-b-l-e”. Wrong again. This went on for about half an hour until finally; Mrs.
Thompson said they could stop. Kate went out feeling very tired. She walked
around trying to find someone to play with but everyone was huddled together in
groups. All of a sudden, she realized they were talking about her! Her spelling test
score had been discovered! And as if that was not enough they gave her a nick
name; Spelling Beeing.
That was it: the reason Kate didn’t want to go to school that
Monday. She sighed and got out of bed. The day had begun. When she got to
school, they had another spelling test (as usual) and she got every word wrong (just
like every other time). But when she went to give Mrs. Thompson her paper,
something happened that she never forgot. She saw a bunch of kids outside picking
on another kid and they were calling her (Kate could not believe it) Spelling Beeing.
Kate ran over to them and said in the loudest voice she could manage;
“Leave her alone you bullies!” They all turned to look at her. Then one by one they
turned away and walked off, their faces wearing looks of scorn, and defeat. Kate
ran over to the kid and said with a smile, “Hi! My name is Kate. What’s yours?”
She looked at her then responded, “My name’s Hannah. Nice to meet you”. Since
that day Hannah and Kate were best friends. The other kids never did stop teasing
them, but they survived. The world would be a better place if we could just accept
others for who they are. And anyway, Hannah and Kate's spelling got much, much

2. better.