FEBRUARY LESSON

ASCA Standards: A:B1 Improve learning, A:B2 Plan to achieve goals, A:A2 Acquire skills for improving learning, A:A3 Achieve school success

Taking the Stress Out of Tests

6^th Grade

Objective: Students will develop a test-taking plan that includes physical and mental preparation.

Lesson: Students will brainstorm strategies for reducing stress prior to taking tests in two categories: physical and mental.

Procedure: Step 1: Using a blank overhead sheet or on the white board, write two column headings: physical and mental. Ask students to brainstorm physical and mental strategies for reducing stress before taking a test. You may want to prompt students by asking them to first think back to the last test they took and remember physical feelings or mental thoughts they had prior to the test.

Next: Use the overhead provided titled: “Test-taking Strategies Overhead”, which lists many strategies for reducing stress physically and mentally before taking a test. Give students the worksheet titled: “My Test-taking Plan”. Ask students to think about which strategies apply to their needs.

Next : Students fill out their “My Test-taking Plan” worksheet and file it in their MSLP collection folder.

Test Taking Strategies

6^th grade

Overhead

Mental Strategies:

Before the Test:

• Do all assignments leading up to the test. This is your practice for what is on the test.
• Begin reviewing notes and assignments days before the test… not the night before!
• Auditory learner: try to study orally. Say the information out loud to yourself.
• Visual learner: make a diagram, picture, or outline.
• Kinesthetic learner: make the learning more active by copying and recopying your notes.
• Study location: quiet, but not too quiet… you don’t want to fall asleep or be distracted!!!
• Plan frequent, short breaks . Don't try to study for too long a stretch.
• Create acronyms when you have long lists to learn. For example (HOMES is an acronym for the great lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior).

Test Taking Strategies

6^th grade

Overhead

During the Test:

• Tell yourself you know this and you can do it!
• Use all the time allotted for the exam; do not be upset or flustered if others finish early. They may have given up without finishing the test.
• Carefully read the instructions.
• Answer the easy questions first. After you answer all the easy ones, go back and answer the more difficult ones.
• Circle or underline key words in questions. Multiple-choice tests examine your ability to read carefully and thoughtfully, as much as they test your ability to recall and reason. Watch for words like "all," "always," "never," "none," " ;few," "many," "some,", and, "sometimes"
• Try to recall a concept from memory. Think out the answer before looking at the options. Doing this successfully may help you "wade through" the alternatives and find a reasonable answer or choice.
• Consider the true/false label strategy. Label the alternative answers as true or false statements and then look for a pattern in the answers
• Use logic to answer difficult questions.
• Answer every question. Be slow to change an answer, because your first impulses are usually correct.
• Review your work.
• Write legibly. If you make a mistake, erase completely.

Test Taking Strategies

6^th grade

Overhead

Physical Strategies:

Before the Test:

• Eat a well-balanced breakfast

• Drink plenty of water

• Get a good night’s sleep

• Dress comfortably for any temperature…if the room is often cold; bring a sweater or a jacket. If the room is often warm; wear short sleeves!

During the Test:

• RELAX!

• Controlling your breathing: Breathe deeply, slowly and rhythmically.

• Reduce physical tension by alternately tensing and relaxing various muscle groups.

• Sit in the front of the room (if possible) to minimize distractions from other students.

My Test-taking Plan

6^th Grade

Name:_________________________________

1. List three physical and mental test-taking strategies you could do to help you better perform on tests:

 ____________________________________________________

  ____________________________________________________

  ____________________________________________________

2. Describe how you might do one of these strategies before or during your next test.

  ____________________________________________________

  ____________________________________________________

  ____________________________________________________

  ____________________________________________________

  ____________________________________________________

  ____________________________________________________

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