Test Taking 101

      As SOL’s approach the anxiety levels generally seem to rise (and not just for the kids).  We have been doing some small groups with kids that might need some confidence boosters at test time.  We are working on strategies for reducing anxiety and building confidence.  With 3^rd graders being introduced to SOLs for the first time, their anxiety is a little different.  Anytime you do something for the first time nerves tend to be present, but when you hear people around you building up the SOL, its hard not to worry about it.  
     One of the first things I do is debunk the myths – no, SOLs are not used to decide if you go to 4^th grade – no, SOLs are not on your report card – and no, the sky will not fall down if you get a question wrong.  OK, the last one may be a bit of an exaggeration; but, they really do worry about what happens because the test just feels different.  I try to normalize the experience for them.  We talk about how tests are part of life.  We take them all the time – and not always in school (like a drivers license test).  The purpose of a test is to show what you know (not – what you don’t) and to determine whether you are ready for what’s next.  I share with them how teachers look at the results and make decisions regarding what new instruction, extra help, and levels they need for the next school year.     One of my favorite stories to read with 3^rd graders is Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!, by Dr. Seuss.  In the book a group of students (and a very sad principal) are worried about an upcoming test their whole school has to take.  The teacher tells them:

“Don’t Fret!

You’ve learned the things you need

To pass that test and many more –

I’m certain that You’ll succeed.

We’ve taught you that the earth is round,

That red and white make pink,

And something that matters more –

We’ve taught you how to think.”

That guides our follow up conversations that you probably know more than you think you do and if you take your time, keep your cool, and use your head – you can figure anything out.  Of course the kids in the book get the highest score possible.

I’ve included some testing tips for both kids and parents here:

Parent Tips for helping your child do his/her best and reducing Test Anxiety 1. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest - especially the night before testing – and has a healthy breakfast. Eggs, yogurt, oatmeal, apples, and berries are all great brain foods. It is also important for your child to drink plenty of water. 2. Make sure your child attends school regularly. The more effort and energy a child puts into learning, the more likely he/she will do well on tests. 3. Provide a comfortable place at home for studying. Everyone studies in a different way, so allow your child to try out different spaces to see what works best for him/her. 4. Remind your child - and yourself - that this is just one test, and that tests are designed to show what you do and don’t know, so it’s OK if they don’t know everything! Many things can influence how your child does on a test; so one test does not describe their abilities. 5. Encourage your child to take his/her time and to not get discouraged about hard questions. Some questions will be tough, but the next one might be easy! Like Dory says, “Just keep swimming!” 6. The pressure to pass and fear of failing can seriously increase your child’s anxiety. Be aware of what messages you are giving him/her about passing and failing. 7. If your child is anxious, try practicing relaxation techniques with him/her. This website has different strategies you can try: http://youth.anxietybc.com/relaxation 8. If your child is eligible for testing accommodations, make sure you know, and your child knows what those accommodations are. 9. Communicate with your child’s teachers regularly. Ask them to suggest activities for you and your child to do at home to help prepare for tests and improve your child's understanding of schoolwork. 10. Praise your child for what they do well. Everyone has strengths and helping them see their strengths can increase your child’s confidence about their abilities. The standards and last year’s test items, as well as resources, are available on the DOE web site at: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/students_parents/

Test Taking Strategies for Kids “Jail the Detail” - Highlight or underline or circle details in the questions. Why?: Because it helps me focus on exactly what the question is asking. “Be Slick and Predict”- Predict or guess what I think the answer might be BEFORE I ever read the choices. Why?: Because sometimes I can guess the answer, but if my guess is wrong then I can guess again. “Slash the Trash” - Read ALL choices, MARK OUT the ones that I KNOW are WRONG, then choose my answer from the one or ones that are left over.  Why?:Because marking out the choices that I know are wrong allows me to see the    choices left and I know the right answer is one of those left over. “Plug it In – Plug it In” - Once I choose my answer, I will plug it in and make sure it makes sense. USE THIS especially with vocabulary questions.   Why?: When I have a sentence and I have to choose the correct vocabulary word,  if I will read the sentence with each choice word, this will help me choose the word that makes the most sense. “Be Smart with Charts” & “Zap the Maps” - Look and read ALL information on the MAP or CHART before answering any of the questions. Why?: Because charts and maps provide a lot of information that I will need to answer some of the questions, so it is important to know the information that they show.   “Extra Extra – Read all About it” - If the directions say READ, then I will READ. Pay close attention to the important word. Why?: It is always important to follow the directions and ALWAYS read the directions carefully. Just like a recipe to make a cake, my directions are my test recipe so I know what to do. “ Keep on Keeping On” -  If I get to a couple of questions that I just don’t know.  Don’t give up! Keep on going. “If you Snooze You Lose!” - DO NOT leave any question BLANK! I will not have any chance of Getting it RIGHT! If I USE THESE STRATEGIES MY CHANCES OF PASSING THE TEST ARE MUCH BETTER!!!! AND  Don’t forget to take Deep Breaths & Blow out Slowly It Relaxes My BODY & BRAIN!!!!

Personal Safety Unit

Kindergartners at both schools are engaged in our safety unit.  This is always one of those units that is so crucial and yet a little touchy.  When I watch the sad news stories about missing kids or see another Amber alert on my devices, I am reminded that even though these conversations can be hard or even uncomfortable, they are so important.  

Many of the students learn about personal space during PE classes. I expand on that by teaching they have 4 different personal spaces. That becomes the foundation for each of the subsequent lessons. The four spaces are also briefly reviewed in 1st and 2nd grade.

 We begin with stranger space.  The stranger space is 2 arm lengths. Students demonstrate that by stretching their arm out in front of them.  The challenge here is giving students a healthy respect for danger, but not scaring them into a fear of public places.  I stress that there are lots of good people in the world and just a few bad people (or scoopers).  The problem is that you can’t tell by looking at someone if they are good or not so you have to be careful with everyone just in case.  I share the book, Scoop, by Julia Cook with them.  In the book they learn that no one can scoop you if they can’t reach you.  That means we just keep a safe distance from people you don’t know.  We don’t have to be scared or run away or scream, just keep far enough away they can’t touch you.  And if a stranger steps toward you, then you simply step back.  We also learn about call lists and never going anywhere with anyone you weren’t expecting without checking with someone on your call list.  I also touch on other ways we can come in contact with strangers like the computer or phone.  We talk about the importance of never giving out personal information like your address or your name.

The next space is our friend space.  This is the space around us when we put our hands on our hips.  It’s close enough to read together, play games together, and have conversations, but not close enough to be uncomfortable.  This is the safe space for most of the people we know well. If we’re not sure, we can use the dinner rule.  Would my family have this person over for dinner? If yes, then they are probably a friend.  We review the stranger space and remember that if someone we don’t know steps toward our friend space we back up. 

The third space is our family space.  This is the space when we have are arms right next to us.  I also call this the snuggle space.  We talk about how it’s OK to snuggle up and watch a movie or give hugs and kisses to family, but we wouldn’t snuggle with our friends.  We practice some polite ways to let our friends know when they are in our family space.  Sometimes we just need to let them know they are in our space and it’s easily fixed.  But, if we ask and that person keeps getting too close or makes us uncomfortable we should let a grown up know.

The last space is our private space.  This is often where I get a few giggles because it’s the most uncomfortable to talk about but it’s so important that children know they have the right to say no!  I define this as the areas of your body covered by a bathing suit.  The kids demonstrate this space by giving themselves a hug.  I stress to the kids that when you’re little, a parent might help bathe you or change a diaper; and if you have a problem a doctor might need to see those areas.  But, otherwise no one has the right to be in those spaces except for you.  If someone is in your private spaces you should do 3 things: 1) Say no using your big voice, 2) Move away immediately, and 3) Tell a grown up you trust. We practice the big voice, which is a low and loud way to say no.  The big voice should sound really different than your play voice because it makes people look to see what’s going on.  They are never to use the big voice except in an emergency.  It’s not for the playground, but for those times when you really need someone to pay attention. 

Sadly, not all child assault or abduction cases are strangers so it’s important that children know that its OK to speak up if even if a known adult makes you uncomfortable.  We talk about trusting your instincts and listening to your uh-oh voice.  When you get that funny feeling and know something doesn’t feel right, it’s always Ok to say no and then immediately tell another grown up you trust.