When Panthers mascot Sir Purr visited Caleb’s Creek Elementary
students last week to offer test-taking tips, students had already been working
with counselor Barbara Nieters and teachers Freda Henry and Gina Hill.
“We worked with students three mornings this past week for an hour
on test-taking strategies,” Nieters said. “We discussed reading and math strategies
that most all classes have taught all year as a refresher. Perhaps more importantly,
we spent a good deal of time talking with the kids about test anxiety,
relaxation strategies, and giving ample importance to the test without
stressing out over it.
“We feel like kids need to know tips such as ways the classroom looks
different at testing time (walls bare, desks separated), that teachers are a
little stressed too, that there are no prizes for finishing first, that if
their tummies or heads hurt or feel funny it could be anxiety rather than an
illness, etc.
“We spent time talking about bedtime, healthy breakfasts,
preparing things the night before so they don't feel hurried, getting activity
in the afternoons after testing so their bodies can release the energy of
sitting still for so long.
“We believe that the more children know and understand about their
physical bodies, their emotional reactions, and their academic strategies, the
better experience they will have during the stressful testing time as well as
higher scores.”
To read the story about Sir Purr’s visit, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
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