--- September 2013 ---
The SPILLS Curriculum will be used as a core part of NO BOUNDARIES - Train For Work, Train For Life, which offers unique experiential on-land and on-line learning for teens through adults with disabilities. NO BOUNDARIES is an ongoing year-round program of Search, Inc. To learn more about attending a part-time or full-time program at NO BOUNDARIES, visit search-inc.org.
--- Jan - July 2013 ---
A group of students with disabilities from New Trier High School successfully completed an on-land and on-line technology and communications skills training program based on the Safe and Productive Internet Life & Literacy Skills (SPILLS) Curriculum.
Read more about how the training program with NTHS students went.
--- April 2012 ---
Back by popular demand and following the success of our winter Safe and Productive Internet Life & Literacy Skills (SPILLS) workshops! Workshops are limited to 6 participants and their supporters.
Details:Tuesday evenings – June 19, 26, July 10, 17 (ages 18 – 22)Wednesday evenings – June 20, 27, July 11, 18 (ages 14-17)6:30pm – 8:30pmJJ’s List Training Center – 930 1/2 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202(Metered street parking spots are available right outside)
Participants must:
Two ways to register:On-line via Eventbrite – Click HereOn-land by mailing your registration form + check to:1187 Wilmette Ave, #136, Wilmette, IL 60091
$199 (includes use of a computer, Internet access and materials)Get a friend to register? You’ll receive a 10% rebate on your registration.Get 2 friends or more to register? You’ll receive a 15% rebate.(Simply ask your friends to indicate that you had recommended them the workshop when they sign up.)
For more information: [email protected]; 847-869-0000 (yes, this is our number!).
--- February 2012 ---
Each Saturday this month, if you peered through the windows of the Northbrook Public Library, you might have spotted a group of talented teenagers engaged in discussion and interactive games with the JJ’s List Team. That’s because we’ve been putting our Safe and Productive Internet Life & Literacy Skills (SPILLS) curriculum for students with disabilities to action through a weekly workshop series.
How can one practice good netiquette on-line, just as he/she does with etiquette on-land? What are some tell-tale signs of scams on-line? How do you control your privacy on Facebook? How do you identify a potential sexual predator? What should you keep in mind as an adult venturing into the world of on-line dating? How do you choose an Internet Coach?
These are just some of the lessons that were covered. Our closed-door open space allowed for a safe environment in which our teen and young adult learners could share their personal experiences and ask questions. Through interactive role plays and activities, they were able to reinforce what they were learning in a fun way.
Add the personal interactions with our volunteers and the delicious pizza lunch breaks to the learning, and what we got was one great experience. Our workshop participants were an absolute joy to work with and it was so great to watch them grow.
“Can we do this again next time?” asked one of our learners at the end of his two-day workshop. Sounds like another session this Summer is in order!
If you’d like to find out more about our upcoming SPILLS Workshops for teens and young adults with disabilities, please email us at [email protected]
--- January 2012 ---
Word about SPILLS has been spreading. To meet early demand for our Internet curriculum for students with disabilities, JJ’s List offered a grant through Infinitec. 8 great schools were selected from a competitive field to receive the SPILLS Curriculum and training to implement it with students ranging from middle school to transition age.
Our heartiest congratulations goes out to the following winners:
Ladd Grade School – Ladd, ILSpecial Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) – Gages Lake, ILOak Park and River Forest High School (CITE 1 and 2) – Oak Park, ILTriton College Transition Program (PAEC) – Maywood, ILJohn F. Kennedy School – Spring Valley, ILSPEED Special Education Joint Agreement #802 – Crete, ILPeotone High School – Peotone, ILTaylorville Unit School District #1 – Taylorville, IL
With iPads replacing textbooks at breakneck speed in special ed classrooms, putting the vast world of the Internet right at our childrens’ fingertips, teachers need this tool to effectively teach youth with disabilities how to navigate the on-line world safely and productively.
The Safe and Productive Internet Life & Literacy Skills (SPILLS) Curriculum was designed to help students with disabilities build skills that will not only benefit them in their personal lives, but also open the doors to greater employment opportunities.
We’ve been loving the feedback that’s come to us from our grantees so far:
“The curriculum, where it is headed is exactly what our students need… Teaching SPILLS is absolutely a great use of instructional time.”
“We are grateful to have this curriculum. It is targeting an area that we have such a great need for instruction with. This curriculum targets areas that we have not been able to find a cohesive curriculum for in the past.”
For more information on how to get the SPILLS Curriculum for your classroom, please email us at [email protected]. Also, stay tuned for a possible group buy offer starting in May if you’re an Infinitec member!
