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!!!!