Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Preparing for Standardized Testing Week

As a parent, what are some things you can do to help prepare your student for standardized tests?




1 -Encourage them. Tell them these are important, but they aren’t everything. They need to do their best, concentrate and check their answers. Pray with them each morning in the car before you drop them off at the door!

2 -Help them get a good night of sleep each night before testing. Eight to ten hours of sleep is ideal for students, even in middle school and high school.  

3 -Plan some vigorous activities after school. Their little brains will be mush after several hours of testing. Take a walk or bike ride as a family. Play soccer or flag football in the front yard. Shoot some baskets with their friends.  

4 - Work through the practice booklet teachers may send home the week before. Not all teachers give tests that look like standardized tests and students don’t always “fill in the bubble” on a regular basis. Just knowing what to expect on the test will ease some fears and make it seem more normal. Teachers will be doing this at school as well!

5 - Help your student kick off testing each day with a well-balanced breakfast. Foods rich in lean proteins will help sustain them. Oatmeal, eggs and lean meats are great. Pop-tarts and Fruity Pebbles are probably not the best “brain-food” to eat on mornings before testing.

6 - Pack healthy snacks for them to have mid-morning in their class. They will need something really good to recharge their brains! Trail mix, beef jerky, granola bars, nuts, fruit and veggies are all great ideas! Try to avoid high-sugar content foods that may give them an initial surge of energy and concentration, but then leave them feeling empty and grumpy.

7 - Celebrate at the end of the week. Plan a treat – a special event, a movie, an ice cream cone or Icee when you pick them up on Friday. Offer to bring in a treat for their class on Friday afternoon.  

Students with parents who are invested and involved in their education are more successful and will do well, not only on testing, but throughout their academic careers!

Carrie Beth Tigges
Assistant Principal & Guidance Counselor

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