Sigrid explains how a spelling bee normally proceeds. There are fixed rules and there are options.

Sigrid talks about "The Elementary Spelling Book" by Noah Webster, which was the basis for the American English dictionary and a big part of the development of spelling bees in the United States.

Let's find out more about an American activity aimed at school kids: the spelling bee. What is it and how does it work?

Pre-production is finally over, and today is the first day of the shoot. The cast and crew come together for a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony, and Peter Jackson and members of the cast offer words of thanks and encouragement.

Director and producer Peter Jackson takes time out from filming The Hobbit to show us around the set and the busy wardrobe and props departments. We get an idea of the scale of the preparations that go into filming an epic blockbuster movie.

Peter Jackson, director and producer of The Hobbit, continues his video diary narrating the rather stunning scenes at the shoot. The dwarf and wizard actors have arrived and are talking through and visualizing their parts in the movie.

Did you know that the big letter “M” from the MacDonald’s logo might have a further significance? Many well-known brands, companies, and institutions have hidden meanings and messages in their logos, as well as some subtle and some not-so-subtle advertising.

This song by singer-songwriter Katie Melua was recorded live in Berlin for the In Winter (Special Edition), and features the Gori Women's Choir.

All good things must come to an end, and for the cast, this really is their final goodbye. In this video, you can see the read-through of the last script and final filming of their last episode together. There’s a genuine warmth between the actors, and some tears, but all are thankful for the good times, friendship, and camaraderie the show has given them through the years.

When the show began, Debra Jo didn’t like her character Kitty’s hair, but changing her look was never going to be simple, and had to be written into the plot. One small fire later, and Kitty got a different hairdo, along with her husband’s attention.

Wilmer’s dressing room was closest to the studio and it served as a comfortable place for the cast members to hang out in between scenes. For Wilmer, it holds memories from the eight years of the show’s run, with his photo board and walls signed by cast and visitors alike.

Over the years, the show was blessed with many guest star appearances. Hollywood favorites like Bruce Willis, Lindsey Lohan, and Brooke Shields had a lot of fun working on set with the vibrant, enthusiastic cast.

The nation's first Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman recites her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration ceremony for the 46th presidency of the United States of America. So many people were emotionally touched by this performance that we wanted to share it with our Yabla learners. It's a living example of contemporary American poetry and was part of a unique moment in American History.

On set, the decor had to be just right in reflecting the decade of the 1970s. Behind the scenes, detail was also important when props were in use. We meet the man who coordinated many of the stunts and gags, and then catch up with some of the big-name guest stars who graced the show over the years.

When the unexpected happened, it was sometimes best to stay in character and try to get a bigger laugh. In particular, Ashton Kutcher, who played Kelso on the show, was willing to endure some painful knocks if it made the audience happy.