Hi #PeekaChat friends! Ami here, Co-founder at @Peekapak, an org that helps prepare students with #SEL skills like self-regulation and perseverance (useful skills for preparing for tests too!)
Happy Tuesday #PeekaChat. Akilah, from VA, Professional Learning Specialist-I'm passionate about #JoyfulSchools that cultivate the whole child-even during testing season.
A1: Stress and bad nerves are common leading up to evaluations. These physical responses make Ss doubt themselves and their abilities to succeed #PeekaChat
A1: I have a 5th grader so I'm sharing through the lens of a parent too...anxiety, doubt, fear of failure, pressure to pass, comparison to their peers #PeekaChat
A1: Test anxiety has both a behavioural and physical affect on Ss and can happen before and during testing. Symptoms include sweating, fast heart rate, procrastination and avoiding prep work #PeekaChat
A1 - Some kids put a lot of pressure on themselves (some pressure comes from parents). Some kids are not confident test-takers. Some struggle to focus/avoid distractions. #PeekaChat
It is important that the adults around them reinforce that schools are using this information to drive instruction as opposed to penalize the Ss. #PeekaChat
A1: self doubt can really get Ss down on themselves as they test, but I often wonder if it’s important for young people to experience feelings like this to better overcome those feelings in other areas of life #PeekaChat
A2: Remind Ss to use the skill of perseverance so they will be able to continue learning and persist through difficulties. Ss who demonstrate perseverance experience a greater sense of self-confidence #SEL#PeekaChat
A2: Encourage Ss to practice #SEL skills like self-regulation! Our "Take a Breath" and "Stretch It Out!" activities help Ss control their emotions and return to a calm state #PeekaChat
A2: working with Ss on self monitoring & management is crucial starting at the lower grades. #mindfulness practice are truly powerful. @_coolclassroom#peekachat
Yes, ours start that last day in April through first week in May. Yikes! The nervous faces of teachers and students is not something I want to see right now. #peekachat
A2: #Mindfulness helps my son with preparing for a big event (testing)...I've found that mindful strategies (including Mindful Mantras) can help with positive self-concept too #PeekaChat
A2 - I tell my kiddos that they need to try their best but that their score doesn’tmatter to me as long as it’s the best they can earn. I also tell them to have fun with it because we don’t have tests in our class! They usually do! It’s a pretty stress-free environment!#PeekaChat
A2: remind students of the true purpose of assessment- a check in. For everyday assessment, I love the idea of providing students with an extra piece of paper or space to leave it open ended...”tell me everything you know about _______” #PeekaChat
A2: Encourage Ss to practice #SEL skills like self-regulation! Our "Take a Breath" and "Stretch It Out!" activities help Ss control their emotions and return to a calm state #PeekaChat
A2: #Mindfulness helps my son with preparing for a big event (testing)...I've found that mindful strategies (including Mindful Mantras) can help with positive self-concept too #PeekaChat
A2: We practice different #sel skills during the day when we overcome something stressful, like mindful breathing or taking a break. I think it’s important for kids to hear that someone believes in them as well! #peekachat#sbpdchat
#Peekachat A2 I trust a well developed curriculum to prepare them-I don't say much about the state test other than explain the format & answer their specific questions about the test to ease worries. I'm always happy with their personal best-regardless of "score"-They know that.
Your class was so much fun when I visited! You definitely empower your students to take ownership of their learning and lead the process. I loved seeing it all in action. #Peekachat
A3: Separate Ss' workspaces for secure testing, but don't change the room too much! Keep art, posters and other routine elements around to offer a sense of comfort and familiarity #PeekaChat
A3. Establishing optimal testing environments starts in Sept. Ss need to go into every assessment knowing that perfection is not expected hard work and trying their best is all that is needed. #peekachat
A2: Encourage Ss to practice #SEL skills like self-regulation! Our "Take a Breath" and "Stretch It Out!" activities help Ss control their emotions and return to a calm state #PeekaChat
A2: Encourage Ss to practice #SEL skills like self-regulation! Our "Take a Breath" and "Stretch It Out!" activities help Ss control their emotions and return to a calm state #PeekaChat
That's great @ewilliamsteach - definitely think practicing these different SEL skills will help students turn to the strategies that work for them to return to calm and to feel confident for whatever the challenge ahead of them. #Peekachat
When our first daughter began standardized testing, we told her it was to test the school and teacher, not her. She told the teacher I said this. We had a "good laugh" at the parent/teacher conference. #PeekAChat
It is important that the adults around them reinforce that schools are using this information to drive instruction as opposed to penalize the Ss. #PeekaChat
A1 - Some kids put a lot of pressure on themselves (some pressure comes from parents). Some kids are not confident test-takers. Some struggle to focus/avoid distractions. #PeekaChat
A4: @Peekapak's easy-to-use lesson plans and alignment to ELA Common Core Standards makes incorporating #SEL simple, with only an average of 15-25 min per lesson #PeekaChat
A4: Remember to keep perseverance, empathy, self-control, and relationship-building an ongoing thing with our students. #peekachat#BeAChampion#SEL@Peekapak
A4: Encourage partner and group work during class! Ss will learn to cooperate, negotiate and build leadership skills all while preparing for testing #PeekaChat#SEL
A4: So many ways-use PeekaPak resources; have Take What you Need Slips built into learning environments, mindful mantras, (morning meetings)...solo cups check-in (Green-ready to go, Yellow-a little nervous and Red-Cant' Proceed) #PeekaChat#Mindfulness#SEL
A4: SEL skills are just as important! Taking time to teach these skills along with academic skills help some student cope with different struggles like testing anxiety and attention difficulties #peekachat#sbpdchat
A4. Relationship building with our Ss, learning hoe each child reacts when taking a test, empathy, caring, working with Ss in small groups or 1:1 before testing. #peekachat
We’re supposed to require students to work on the test for a certain amount of time before they can read. Some student finish quite a while before that time’s up. They then have to “check” their answers or sit there bored. Boredom is the #1 issue to me. #Peekachat
