Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. It seems that state testing time, those lovely TCAP tests, is upon us. Life is full of tests, but I wish all of you students the best of luck. But for now, enjoy your weekend…go see a movie, take a trip to the mall, or just hang out at home with your family.
Happy Birthday to all of you who turned a year older this past week. And Happy Anniversary to you and your loved one for reaching another milestone year together.
Quote of the Week: “See the hurdles on your path not as obstructions, but as tools meant to prep you for the ultimate game of life.” Michael Bassey Johnson
Joke of the Week: How do carpenters get certified? They take a board exam.
Movie of the Week: Last week, my husband and I took our youngest son to see The Minecraft Movie. Having not played the game, I had no idea what to expect. Let’s just say that this movie would be a good one to watch to let everything fly right out of your head. So, when you finish taking these grueling tests, this will be the kind of diversion to ease any stress.
The cast of the movie, Jason Mamoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers, and the rest, provided a well-balanced set of characters. From the utterly ridiculous, stuck in the past video game champion, to the literally stuck in the past within the game, Steve, the movie reminds us that we are all special and important to those around us.
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: This week, I want to remind you of some important tips for taking these seemingly monumental tests. Remember to remain calm. Tests can look scary if you view them in their strictest form. They are just sentences on paper.
There are many things to take into consideration when preparing for tests…nutrition, adequate rest, time management, and preparation. Let’s look at these a bit further.
As with anything important, knowing the material you will be testing on is crucial. Use the content reviews carefully, highlight the things you struggle with, and look over a bit more beforehand. Don’t think you have to know everything all the time.
Getting the right amount of sleep during the testing window is also critical. Don’t stay up too late scrolling on your phone or binge-watching your favorite TV show on Netflix. It is okay to do things to relax, but don’t go too far.
Eating the right foods and staying adequately hydrated is necessary to keep from getting a “rumbly in your tumbly.” Eating high-protein breakfasts is a good way to keep from getting hungry before your scheduled breaks.
Lastly, when it comes to actually taking the tests, don’t get overwhelmed. Take it one test question at a time. Be sure to read the question carefully so you know what information you need to glean. When you have large blocks of text, read the questions first so you will be able to pick out the information needed to answer the question. Don’t worry so much about answering all the questions but do your best to answer them one at a time.
Remember, you are not the sum of your test scores. You are so much more than that. Some people are not good test-takers. It doesn’t mean you are not intelligent. You got this!
Shout Out of the Week: This week, I want to give a shout-out to everyone who studies hard to pass the tests of life. Also, to those who teach the material to students so that the students will be successful in taking the tests. You both are knocking it out of the ballpark!
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.