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

Lifeskills Goldmine!

Home Page of the Middle School Teacher's Site

It's Sunday in western Massachusetts, and it is a perfect day to take in the sights of this golden time of year. The foliage is giving us quite a show, with the hills transforming into yellows, oranges, reds and greens. In addition to teaching Health Education, I also teach ESL (English as a Second Language), and my ESL students are in complete and total awe. These are kids who all come from countries in which there is no fall foliage spectacle like we have in western Mass. Truly, they're dazzled.

If you're a teacher, Sundays typically mean preparing for the academic week ahead. For teachers who are preparing their Lifeskills lessons this week, there are a few dazzling resources out there that are worth their weight in gold and will save you lots of planning time. Many of you have already bookmarked this site, but if not, make sure you save this in your favorites. Go to http://www.lifeskillstraining.com/msweb/teacher/index.php to reach the Middle School Teacher's site (see screenshot above), which I've profiled on this blog previously. Yes, it's good enough to mention more than once! Here, you'll be able to access quick formative assessments for each unit in each level of LST. 

The image above shows a student self-check, which students can use to measure their own comprehension of the basic objectives of each unit. My students really like being able to "show what they know" and prepare for quizzes. It also helps to cement the key takeaways that LST really wants kids to absorb. There's also a vocabulary crossword or each unit that can be completed either online or printed out. 

So there it is! A little goldmine for LST teachers. If you use these resources in your class, I'd love to hear about it!

Happy fall,

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

#Lifeskillschat

Quick post here, as it's getting late and I want to be fresh-faced and well rested for tomorrow's Lifeskills Training! We will certainly put the word out tomorrow, but look for the launch of #lifeskillschat on Twitter soon! What's #lifeskillschat? Well, it's a forum that uses Twitter as the platform for collaboration and discussion on a variety of topics relating to the middle school Lifeskills Training Program. We're trying to promote and support the implementation of LST in middle schools in the Franklin/Quabbin region, and we realize that not every dedicated teacher and champion of LST can attend every meeting in person. We are busy professionals in a spread-out, rural area. Thus, the concept of a technology-supported Lifeskills Network was born. By using Twitter, our Western Mass Lifeskills Network blog, and other tech-savvy initiatives, we aim to make LST implementation awesome as we support the talented educators who deliver this program in classrooms and other settings every day in our area.

If you're going to be at the training tomorrow, great! If not, and you want to stay connected to this group and initiative, bookmark this blog and follow us on Twitter - @WMA_Lifeskills.

Yours in prevention,

Kate

Free LST Webinars!

Okay, quick post, because I will be joining the Middle School LST webinar shortly! For those in the Western Mass / Franklin / Quabbin area, if you're part of a school that's using Botvin Lifeskills Training, or even if you're just curious about this evidence-based substance abuse prevention program, join us for an hour of easy-access training TODAY at 11am EST! We will engage in one hour of training that is aimed at both newcomers as well as seasoned LST implementers. Click the link below to join!

http://go.shr.lc/2bJnS7d 

For links to additional upcoming LST webinars, check the previous post in this blog.

Yours in prevention,

Kate