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09/30/2011 LifeSmarts
LifeSmarts
WHAT WE DO:
LifeSmarts is an educational opportunity that develops the consumer and marketplace knowledge and skills of teenagers in a fun way and rewards them for the knowledge they demonstrate. This free program complements the curriculum already in place in middle- and high schools and can be used as an activity for classes, groups, clubs, and community organizations. LifeSmarts is a program of the National Consumers League and coordinated locally by state partnering organizations.
LifeSmarts teaches teens to be smart and responsible consumers and citizens by focusing on five key areas of consumer knowledge that teens need to know to function effectively in today's marketplace: Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, the Environment, Health and Safety, Personal Finance, and Technology. In addition to the important information and knowledge that participants gain, they also develop teamwork, self-esteem, verbal communication skills, leadership abilities, and have fun competing. LifeSmarts changes behavior toward better decision making and better use of money and resources. As one student told us, “This is a wonderful program that I would recommend to anyone. It taught me things that I know I am going to be using (and am already using) in my daily life.”
WHAT WE OFFER:
LifeSmarts, the Ultimate Consumer Challenge
With the support of an adult coach, student players form an online team and compete in the LifeSmarts, the Ultimate Consumer Challenge online competition, which tests their understanding of consumer knowledge in a game-show format. Teams with qualifying scores are then invited to compete live for the State title, and State winners compete for four days vying to be crowned the National LifeSmarts Champions. Coaches and players can use the multitude of resources available on www.lifesmarts.org, including complete lesson plans and group activities for coaches, and self-guided lessons and practice quizzes for students.
LifeSmarts U
LifeSmarts U is LifeSmarts' virtual online classroom, and is available year-round. Each lesson includes pre- and post-tests, an article, FAQs, fast facts and an online game, with supplemental lesson plans, activities, a slide presentation with notes, glossary terms, practice questions and resources that educators may use to round out each activity. All are tied to national standards, and are an excellent resource for educators looking for new ways to spark ordinary lessons and engage students in emerging consumer topics. New lessons are added each year.
WHAT WE NEED:
LifeSmarts is an excellent way for adults to demonstrate their commitment to consumer education and to young adults. If your work or volunteer activities have you involved with middle- or high-school youth, please consider coordinating a state LifeSmarts program (coordinators needed in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming), or becoming a LifeSmarts coach.
WHAT’S NEW:
TeamSmarts
TeamSmarts is a new online activity, designed for cooperative use by teams of students. The monthly 100-question multiple-choice TeamSmarts quiz focuses on a single LifeSmarts topic each month, and teams work together to complete the quiz within an hour. Points are awarded based on both accuracy and speed, so students must to work together to develop a winning strategy. TeamSmarts can be used in classes or small groups to help students prepare for online and live competition, to foster teamwork, and reinforce consumer knowledge. The October quiz focuses on Personal Finance. Prizes are awarded for the 1st place team!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Brandi Williams
202-835-3323
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