Word whiz wins self-r-e-s-p-e-c-t

It's your daughter's first field trip of the year. The class is headed to the aquarium—your dolphin-fanatic daughter's favorite attraction. As the children approach the gigantic tank, she excitedly spouts off a host of random fish facts. Two kids look at her like she's an alien and call her nerdy names. Your daughter clams up—afraid that her passion will sink her popularity.

Don't be afraid to show your smarts. That's the lesson spelled out in the movie Akeelah and the Bee, now available on home video. After watching the movie, use our questions below for a spellbinding conversation about believing in yourself and your talents. Then play our game, “Eat Your Words,” to bring the lesson to life!

The film features Akeelah (Keke Palmer), a bright but unmotivated girl in a rundown school. The odds are stacked against her: her adoring father was killed, her cranky mom (Angela Basset) is always working, and her brother hangs out with a dangerous crowd.

Akeelah can spell almost any word, but she's apprehensive about showing her stuff because bullies tease her. Akeelah reluctantly enters the school spelling bee to avoid detention. She wins by a landslide.

As the possibility of advancing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee becomes a reality, Akeelah gets coaching from the principal's friend, Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne), a haughty professor and former spelling champion.

Initially afraid of looking like a brainiac, Akeelah soon throws herself into her studies. But can she overcome her insecurity and doubt amid fierce and brilliant competitors to win the national title?

Talk Together

See if you can find your old report cards to show your kids. They'll get a kick out of seeing the subjects in which you excelled as well as struggled. Share memories of times you were proud of yourself, as well as instances in which you were teased. Talk to your kids about how you got through the tough times while still being true to yourself.

Akeelah had to rely on coaches and her community to improve her smarts. How do you think their support boosted her confidence? What kind of competition could you win if you tried your hardest? How could a teacher, coach, or friend help you?

Together, share times you really need each other's support. Maybe you need an extra hug the day your science fair project is due. Or perhaps your mom needs you to be a pretend audience for her work presentation. Supporting each other can help you succeed!

Play Together: Eat Your Words

This silly version of Scrabble is smart and scrumptious!

You will need:
• Checkered tablecloth
• Alpha-Bits cereal
• One bowl for each person
• Paper and pencil

Place the tablecloth on the table or floor. Each player reaches in the cereal box and pulls out 12 letters. Hide letters in your bowl, so no one else can see them.

The first player uses two or more letters to form a word. Place one letter in each square on the tablecloth to read either across or down. One point is earned for each letter used in the word. The next player adds one or more letters to those already played to form a new word. One point is earned for each letter used in the new word.

Any time a player spells a word that describes or relates to members of your family—such as “artsy” or “tall”—he is awarded an extra five points. The rule is that for each player's turn, everyone must be encouraging and cheer each other on.

The first player to reach 25 points wins. Celebrate the fun with bowls of yummy cereal.

Your family will learn— just like Akeelah—that finding qualities to be proud of is as easy as A-B-C!