Quizlet Live - You NEED to Be Using This!

I have absolutely fallen in love with Quizlet Live! I have used Quizlet for years with students to help them have an engaging way to practice vocabulary. After a list is entered, there are several game formats students can use to practice as well as a built in testing feature. However, Quizlet Live engages students in a way the original Quizlet games do not - through a safe competitive environment.

Free version: make text flash card sets, access to games to practice, access to quizzes, Quizlet live with random groups, students see ads

Paid version: add voice and images to flash card sets, no ads for students while using sets you created, organize students in classes, view data from games/quizzes/Quizlet Live, choose groups for Quizlet Live
For a 20% discount on Teacher Quizlet ($27.99 for 1 year instead of $34.99 CLICK HERE.

Quizlet live puts students in teams of at least 3 students. Each student has a different group of words on their screen, but every group member sees the same question. Students work together to get 12 questions correct in a row. Each missed question sends the team back to zero to start again after the correct answer is explained. This allows the repetitive process to be used to aid in memorization. Students can see group progress on the projector.

I had two opportunities to observe students using Quizlet Live last week at school. The first was in a general education science classroom where students were randomly put into teams to practice unit vocabulary. I co-teach the science class, and it has 9 students with different IEP needs in it. This made it a bit challenging in randomized groups. Students started out just answering for the students who were struggling or slower processing because of the drive to "win" the game. After the co-teacher and I discussed this a bit, we gave a rule that no one was allowed to touch anyone else's computer - so at least that helped some with the involvement of all team members. Students played 4 rounds of the game during our class period, and everyone seemed happy and engaged the entire time!

The second opportunity I had to observe Quizlet Live was in a resource English class I teach. The class only has 4 students, which created a bit of a challenge as you have to have at least 6 players for Quizlet Live. I logged onto two extra computers and joined as "extra" so that each group of 2 students actually had an extra screen to keep track of for their group. Now, this is a group of extremely unmotivated boys who have experienced a lot of school failure on their way to junior high. I have had a difficult time finding activities they enjoy doing and help them learn. Quizlet live kept them engaged and learning for 25 minutes! I heard things like this coming from my students: "It can't be that word, remember we tried it last time. Let's try to remember what it showed us.", "It's OK, we still have 15 minutes and the other time might miss a question." (that in response to another student wanting to give up because the could "never" win.  I can't even explain what a great teacher moment that was. Hearing my students discussing intelligently, trying to convince others respectfully, and modeling growth mindset - all while actually learning the meanings of our state assessment vocabulary. WOW!

You can use Quizlet for so much more than vocabulary - anything that can be made into a matching format can be entered as a card set, so the possibilities are unlimited!

If I've convinced you to try Quizlet.com, don't forget to sign up with this referral link to save yourself 20% on a 1 year subscription. It may just be the best $27.99 investment you make in your students all year!

Thoughts as Year 28 begins!

School starts this week for me. My schedule, as always, is different than previous years. It's one thing I really like about special education - no chance to get bored with the curriculum! This year I am teaching the following: co-taught 7th literature, general education 8th literature intervention, resource math, resource English, co-taught 7th science, social skill small groups, and 2 study periods. Phew!

I've had to get a bit more organized, so I hope I can keep on top of things without having to stay past 5:00 many days (I don't go in early, I stay late).

Advice on starting the year from a 27-year veteran teacher:

DO NOT spend the first day going over rules and procedures if possible. BORING!  Listening to rules and procedures over and over is not exciting - It makes you sound like the Charlie Brown Teacher (mwa mwa mwa) - NOT good!

DO something with your students that lets them know what it will be like to be in your class. Leave them with something that excites them to come back again!

Students coming to my class on the first day of school do the following:

     1. make something - I want them to know they will get to be creative.

     2. learn something about me - I want them to know me.

     3. tell me something about themselves - I want them to know I care.

     4. try out many seat types/figits - I want them to know they should be comfortable when learning.

These activities are important for EVERY student, but especially for those students who are struggling to return to school because it hasn't been a positive experience in the past. Starting school this way can make the difference in student effort as the year progresses.

I challenge all teachers to try one thing from my list. I would also love if you would let me know how it went. I would also appreciate hearing your ideas about the first day of class.

Looking forward to an amazing 2017-18 school year!