Testing Tips

TIPS for TESTING and for HOME STUDY Throughout the Year Read With Your Child - all year long. Read newspapers, magazines, and read everywhere you go with them: Headlines, signs, grocery store displays. Remember that you are the child’s most important teacher and a role model. They need to see you reading, as well as reading with them and to them. And dont forget to have your child read to you. In a practical sense, reading requires comprehension and not just the calling out of words. Ask your child to articulate, to restate what has been read. It comes up constantly on the test whether in the Language Arts or the Math sections.

Talking With Your Child - Speak to your child in complete sentences and have detailed conservations. Question your child at the supermarket or in the fast food line. For example, you might ask, “How much will this cost?” “Should I buy one can for 49 cents or 3 can for $1.25?” Put the knowledge they are learning to use and make it real. When possible, take them places that relate to what they are studying in school. But talk about it while you explore. Articulate. Don’t forget the value of dinner conversation. “What did you do today in school? What did you learn?” By restating the learning, you are reinforcing the learning. If the child says we studied English, ask what about English they studied. If they finally say, for example,“pronouns” then ask the child to tell you a little about pronouns, even if you don’t want to discuss it in depth. You don’t have to teach it. You just want to get them thinking and talking about their learning so that it is part of their lives at home and at school.
Healthy Habits - such as a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast. Although these are important all of the time, it is vital to your child’s performance on test days. The brain works best when it is rested and well nourished. Fresh fruit, milk, protein, and cereal give a child brainpower that they do not get from donuts, sugary pastries, or junk foods. Fill up the tank with High Grade fuels for testing. You may want to curtail TV viewing the evening before and make sure that students go to bed on time. Don’t over-emphasize their performance on a test as that can cause anxiety, but show that you take it seriously. It is their chance to show what they know. Study Area - Have an organized, consistently available study area. Allow for quiet time and few interruptions. Schedule homework at a reasonable hour, making sure your child has breaks and healthy snacks before and after working. The Backpack - Check your child’s backpack on a regular basis. Children don’t always know what’s going on, or they may not place importance where it should be. It’s important for the parent to be aware when testing or other school events are going on so that you can help to prepare your child. We hear a lot of talk about the information superhighway of the future. For now, we have the student backpack. And you need to go on line and find out what’s in there. Homework - Check in daily on your child’s homework and assist as needed-but don’t do it for them. Homework loses its value if the child is not thinking for herself or himself. Ask questions about why she or he answered a certain way or how a response was reached. Encourage problem-solving abilities by asking leading questions. Don’t Overdo Homework - If your child is taking more time than necessary, it may be a sign that your child needs extra help. It’s okay to ask your child’s teacher for help. Recommended homework time for grades K-2 is 10-20 minutes. For grades 3-6, it is 30-60 minutes. These are not hard and fast rules, but they are indicators.

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