Next week begins our dreaded testing season. Standardized
testing is not what it was like when I was a kid. We just had a one test and
that one test was not a big deal. The tests didn’t determine if we would be
held back. It didn’t govern what reading class we went in. It didn’t even
decide if we would graduate. Testing now has become a monster. Not only does
FCAT and EOC testing effect students in all of the above ways, it also impacts
educators since pay is now being tied to testing. While testing can be debated
for hours upon hours, the fact is, high stakes standardized testing is here and
rearing its ugly head. In the high school level standardize testing for us
starts next week and continues until May 17th. That is 6 weeks of
testing between the FCAT and all the EOC’s! Students will be effected by
testing in some form or fashion.
This week, make it a point to help prepare your students for
these tests mentally. With the stakes so high, students will often have varying
levels of test anxiety. Whether you are a teacher, school counselor,
administrator, or a parent you can help lessen the anxiety level of the
students at your school.
The following is a link to an article dealing with test
anxiety and what each person can do help students relax and just do their best.
http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/cms/lib3/GA01000373/Centricity/Domain/3152/test%20anxiety.pdf
Here is what I am doing with some of the students in my high
school, this can be adapted to all grade levels.
I will have a prezi (see below) with general tests tips, I will go over some relaxation strategies
if they get anxious during testing, and I will brainstorm strategies with
students to prevent test anxiety in the first place. Each student will have a handout of tips and an anxiety lightening
rod (you can use any tactile object that can be stored in a pocket; anything that
is soothing. I am using a pipe cleaner :) ).
This is an interesting article on stress and test performance.
http://news.yahoo.com/just-explain-it--students---stress-140418857.html
This is an interesting article on stress and test performance.
http://news.yahoo.com/just-explain-it--students---stress-140418857.html
