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As we enter state testing season, students may feel a mix of emotions. We are encouraging them to show our character traits perseverance (keep trying) and courage (do their best even when nervous).
You can help at home by:
Keeping routines calm and predictable (good sleep, healthy breakfast)
Help your student practice and study before the test, break study time up in chunks
Practice memory tricks like rhymes or songs together.
Offer reassurance and remind them they are capable and can do hard things!
Encourage your child to take deep breaths, focus on one question at a time, and remember that effort matters more than perfection.
With your support, students can feel confident and ready to succeed. Thank you for partnering with us!
📝 Test-Taking Strategies
📝 Test-Taking Strategies
🧠 Before the Test
🧠 Before the Test
It’s okay to feel nervous you’ve got this.
Get good sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.
Use positive self-talk: “I can do this.”
Practice the format so you know what to expect.
Focus on doing your best, not being perfect.
✏️ During the Test
✏️ During the Test
Read directions carefully.
Pace yourself—don’t rush or get stuck.
Answer easy questions first.
Cross out incorrect answers.
Show your work or take notes when allowed.
Take deep breaths if needed (in 4, out 4).
Stay focused on one question at a time.
Test Anxiety
Test Anxiety
What is it? How can we work THROUGH it?
1310-Strategy-Posters-11x17-1.pdf1+3+10 Strategy
1+3+10 Strategy
Educational psychologist Dr. Michele Borba teaches students she works with the 1+3+10 Strategy. When students feel like they are getting tense they should:
1. Stop and tell themselves: “Be calm,” then take 3 deep slow breaths, then count slowly to 10. We’d encourage you to teach your students the strategy, and schools can even post reminders of the 1 + 3 + 10 strategy around the testing room by downloading and printing this poster.
*Available in English and Spanish!
5 Finger Breathing
5 Finger Breathing
Classroom Activities (All Ages)
Classroom Activities (All Ages)
💥 Crush the “Can’ts”
Students write a negative thought (e.g., “I’m going to fail”) on a slip of paper, attach it to an empty can, and physically crush it—symbolizing letting go of doubt and replacing it with confidence.
🌍 Positive World Wall
Designate a space in the classroom for positivity, including quotes, test-taking strategies, and “can-do” affirmations. Invite students to contribute their own encouraging messages on sticky notes.
🧠 Personal Positive Story
Guide students through reflection questions to reframe their thinking:
What is making me anxious about this test?
What do I think will happen?
What can I tell myself instead?
What actions can I take to feel prepared?
What is the likely outcome if I try my best?
⚖️ Test Anxiety Discussion or Debate
Facilitate a class conversation about test anxiety:
Is the thought helpful or unhelpful?
Is it normal to feel this way?
What are more productive ways to respond?
📅 Daily Positive Quotes
Encourage students to keep a daily affirmation in a place they’ll see often, such as their planner, phone, or desk.
🎴 Positive Self-Talk Cards
Have students create or collect affirmation cards with phrases like “I am prepared” or “I can handle this,” and refer to them before and during testing.
📓 Journaling
Provide time for students to write about their feelings and reflect using prompts such as:
What am I feeling?
Why am I feeling this way?
What is within my control?
Positive Notes (Parents/teachers to students)
Positive Notes (Parents/teachers to students)
Youve-Got-This-Because-Heres-What-I-Know…-State-Testing-Toolkit.pdfState-Testing-Toolkit-Elementary-Word-Search.pdfTest Prep Word search
Test Prep Word search
The Wright Family Overview:
The Wright Family Overview:
An engaging group activity crafted to enhance listening skills and invigorate classroom energy levels. This strategy, with a specific state testing scenario, serves as a pre-test energizer, fostering increased blood flow and potentially boosting test scores and student perseverance. Materials Required: A small item for passing (e.g., a pen or pencil).
Get Moving:
Get Moving:
Overview: Research has shown that small amounts of exercise can improve cognitive performance, which can lead to better testing scores. More importantly, movement helps with student confidence while lowering test anxiety.
Stories to read with your students:
Stories to read with your students:
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