When "Quizlet Teacher" Goes On Sale

Hey teachers, prevention specialists and lovers of words in general-

If you checked out the last post on Quizlet, hopefully you had a chance to try it out, or perhaps you're already well versed in this fantastic vocabulary-building ed tech tool. But DID YOU KNOW that you can now power up to the premium version of Quizlet for a fraction of the normal price?

Here's why I think Quizlet Teacher (the name they give their premium version of Quizlet) is worth it.

1. Extra features for you and your students. You can view class progress, and you can see which terms are easier (or harder) for your students via a percentage correct figure on the left margin of your teacher page.

2. Voice recording. You can record your own voice - OR YOUR STUDENTS' VOICES (great hook!) for each term you enter in each list.

3. Upload custom images. The basic version of Quizlet has a limited number of images, and sometimes they simply don't offer any that are appropriate. Being able to upload custom images means that students can potentially learn vocabulary faster and more effectively. And if you're super clever, you can create a lesson in which students create visualizations of terms and then upload their images! Student-created content! HOW COOL.

4. Create unlimited classes. You can create vocab sets for all of your Lifeskills lessons as well as for every single other course/class you teach. No boundaries. Even cooler.

Many teachers have end of year funds that they're looking to spend now. If you're in that position, and you want 20% off the normal subscription price of $34.99, and  you want a year's worth of everything in the list above, then click the link below:

https://quizlet.com/upgrade?referrer=katrocada

If you go for it, leave me a note in the comments section!

Yours in prevention,

Kate

The MASS APPEAL of Lifeskills Training!

Happy 2017! We're ushering in the new year with a renewed energy that we're about to share throughout the Pioneer Valley. On Wednesday, January 11, Kat Allen of FRCOG's Partnership For Youth and Frontier Regional School's Kate Blair (yours truly) will be featured on WWLP's Mass Appeal to speak about the Lifeskills Training Program and its adoption in middle schools throughout the Franklin Quabbin region. This segment airs between 11am and noon, so tune in and hear updates on this fantastic prevention program that we're fortunate to have in so many middle schools in western Massachusetts! In case you miss it, check back to the blog - I'll post a clip of our segment!

Yours in prevention,

Kate

New Central / Eastern Mass Lifeskills Training Dates Announced!

Please share with fellow prevention educators! New Lifeskills Training Dates announced!

For School Nurses, Health Educators and Teams:

Effectively Preventing Prescription Drug Misuse and Other Drug Use

Evidence-Based Middle School Prevention Training

Four 1-day Trainings Planned Schedule (only one day required)

8:30 (Registration) 9:00 AM-4:30 PM

CERTIFICATION IS GRANTED AFTER ATTENDING ONE OF THESE DAYS. Registration is separate for each training and space is limited. Although not required, teams from schools/districts are encouraged to attend. Level 1 is for 6th or 7th grade; Level 2 is for 7th or 8th grade. Free curricula will be available. Student materials will be provided.

Locations for free trainings:

November 1, 2016: Boston 1010 Massachusetts Ave Boston 02118

Life Skills Training Level 1

November 2, 2016: Peabody Holiday Inn 1 Newbury Street

Life Skills Training Level 1

November 3, 2016: Mansfield Holiday Inn 31 Hampshire Street

Life Skills Training Level 1

November 4, 2016: Beechwood Hotel Worcester 363 Plantation St.

Life Skills Training Level 2 (Participants should be previously trained in Level 1)

Either Accessible by MBTA, or Parking is free. Lunch is provided.

Registration: Please Visit http://www.cvent.com/d/74q78p/6T for information and to complete the required registration. Thank you for helping to keep Massachusetts youth healthy.

6.0 hours per day of training will be awarded: the CEUs can be used for nurses and for PDPs for other educators; applying for Certified Prevention Specialists (CPS) Credits  

Quick Tip #1 - LST Middle School Teacher's Site!

Although we've mentioned this site in a previous post, it's SO GREAT that it warrants another shoutout! Check out this Quick Tip for implementing Lifeskills in the classroom! Use the ACTIVITIES tab on the LST Middle School Teachers' Site for lesson activators, review, and formative assessments. Use the RESOURCES tab for additional information/background related to substance abuse. Click the link below to access both resources on this site:

http://www.lifeskillstraining.com/msweb/teacher/resources.php

Success!

Wow! What a day! Thank you to all who attended the Advanced Lifeskills Training on Friday! The energy in the room was palpable, and everyone had something valuable to share. Big thanks also to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for sponsoring this important event; to Amy Lynn Shimko, our incredible trainer; and to Kat, Jeanette, and everyone at the Franklin Regional Council of Governments who have put so much time and effort into making LST a reality in Western Massachusetts and beyond.

Now it's time to take that energy and keep our fires well stoked as we head back into our classrooms, programs and other prevention-based settings to deliver this powerful curriculum. I'll be sending all of you a link to a survey to get an idea of how best to support this group via the power of technology. Look for an email from me in the next day or two. And, if you haven't already, follow our group on Twitter! @WMA_Lifeskills

In the meantime, feel free to shoot me questions that just can't wait for #lifeskillschat, and keep up the amazing work you do! I'm so inspired by the talent and dedication in this network of prevention specialists.

Best,

Kate

Kate Blair
Western Mass Lifeskills Network Coordinator

Lifeskills Middle School Teachers' Website!

It's here! The start of a new school year, and for those of us working in the field of prevention education, we know that new beginnings are ripe with opportunity. In the Franklin/Quabbin area of western Massachusetts, we have the fantastic opportunity to restart Lifeskills at the middle school level. If you're like me, you're just getting started (actually, the first day of school is tomorrow for us), and if you're looking for guidance or fresh ideas for implementing Lifeskills, you've come to the right place!

Teachers of middle school Lifeskills, click on the link below to access the official Middle School Teachers' site for activities at levels 1, 2 and 3 to measure student comprehension of key concepts:

http://www.lifeskillstraining.com/msweb/teacher/index.php

Click the link below to access the Level 1 LST Assessment Tool. It includes a list of assessment activities for each unit. Printable, easy to use, and provides insight as to how well students are "getting it."

http://www.lifeskillstraining.com/uploads/media/LST%20MS%20Level%201%20Assessment.pdf

These two pages offer a wealth of ideas for getting your middle school Lifeskills program off to a great start!

If you use these resources, I'd love to hear your feedback!

Yours in prevention,

Kate