Directed by: Doug Atchison
Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer, Curtis Armstrong
Dr. Larabee: Where do you think big words come from?
Akeelah: People with big brains?
Akeelah: I'm naturally inquisitive.
Dr. Larabee: Yes, which is also sometimes confused with being naturally obnoxious.
Terrence: Man, that's a white word if I ever heard one. It's a trick. Stop playing.
Continuity mistake: In the scene with the regional spelling bee, Akeelah's turn is before Javier's. Then, when Akeelah's mother pulls her out into the hall, Javier's turn appears to be before hers as he stalls for time so Akeelah will not be disqualified. (00:56:35 - 00:58:55)