3rd Grade Test Prep!

This week I have been visiting third grade classrooms to do lessons on strategies for success on the SOLs. Third grade students will be taking the SOLs for the first time starting May 13th. Some of them shared that they are feeling scared, nervous, worried, excited, etc. The goal of this lesson is to build their confidence and give them strategies to help them do their best. The lesson is titled "You're In Control". We started by watching this video:

Next, we moved on to identifying strategies that can help students be successful on the tests. There are many things students can do before, and the day of the test to help them do their best. We talked about being in control of our success. We used the buttons on a remote control as examples for things we can do to stay in control. As a class we came up with lots of ideas and then students picked their top 10 for their remote control. Here is an example of what your student might be bringing home:

Here is a list of some strategies the classes came up with:

• Prepare and study-use your resources
• Take your time, you have as long as you need
• Relax and take deep breaths
• Flag questions you want to go back and review
• Reread
• Get enough sleep
• Eat a good breakfast
• Take breaks: water, walking, bathroom
• Circle key words
• Wear comfortable clothes and dress for success
• Cross out wrong answers
• Use your tools
• remove distractions
• BE CONFIDENT! You're going to rock this test!