Some suggested messages and reminders for students and families are:
The night before the test:
1. Make sure students go to bed on time are well-rested.
2. Remind students to keep a normal routine. Changing routines may make students feel insecure.
3. Be positive and confident in the fact that you know your students will do their best. And remind them of that.
4. Plan ahead to avoid conflicts on the morning of the test for both students and teachers.
The morning of the test:
1. Get up a few minutes early to avoid rushing and getting to school on-time.
2. Eat a nutritious breakfast. There is a strong correlation between eating breakfast and memory and cognitive functioning.
3. Students should dress comfortably but appropriately.
4. Be positive and communicate that this is the chance to show what your students know. The most important thing you can do right before the test is build confidence about doing their very best.
After the test:
1. Talk to your students about their feelings about the test (SEL).
2. Discuss what was easy and what was hard; discuss what your students learned from the test.
3. Explain that performance on a test does not define them as a person. It is just one opportunity to demonstrate learning.