Stress and Testing Can Really Get on Your Nerves

Test Your Stress 1.At night, do you have dreams about taking a test where you don’t know any answers? YES NO 2.Does the thought of going to school ever worry you so much you feel butterflies in your stomach? YES NO 3.Some days, do you walk around so tired that you feel like you’re on automatic pilot? YES NO

4. Does your head sometimes feel like it’s being squeezed by a boa constrictor? YES NO 5. Are you often so tense that your shoulders are up to your ears? YES NO 6. Would a good nickname for you be “Grouchy”? YES NO 7. Are you sometimes as jumpy as a rubber ball bouncing off the ceiling? YES NO 8. Do you wish for aliens to capture you, so you could escape from your problems? YES NO

Sources of Stress HomeworkTests SchoolTeam TryoutsGrades Fights with friendsFamily troubles BulliesBusy schedules

Quick Fixes for Stressful Days Listen to soothing music Spend some alone time Relax with your friends Go for a long walk, ride a bike or exercise Do something artistic Enjoy your hobby Watch a movie or favorite program

More Quick Fixes Read a good book Practice deep breathing and relaxing muscles Volunteer your time Do some chores (maybe for extra allowance) Make a worry jar Love your pet

BRAIN GYM Exercises for Success at School

Left Brain: Thinking Math Reasoning Logic Science Right Brain: Feeling Creativity Art Music Drama Sports/PE

Wakes up both sides of your brain. Increases learning capability in Spelling Writing Listening Reading Memory

ARM STRETCH: HELPS… Handwriting Spelling Creative Writing

LAZY 8’s: Listening Comprehension Speech improvement Balance and Coordination Recognize and Distinguish Letters Write without Stress

LAZY 8’s

DOUBLE DOODLE: Drawing with both hands at the same time. Makes writing easier. Helps with following directions Math Problem Solving

NECK ROLLS: Relaxing Improvements in: Silent Reading Study Skills Speech and Language

The Calf Pump: Listening Comprehension Reading Comprehension Creative Writing Helps to Pay Attention longer

BELLY BREATHING : Relaxing Less nervous Soothes a stomach ache Helps with Reading Comprehension

HOOK-Ups Concentration Focus Cheers us up when we feel sad, confused, or angry.

Healthy Behaviors that lead to SUCCESS! Drink a lot of WATER Avoid soda and sweets Eat healthy foods Get 10 – 11 hours of sleep every night Exercise everyday

Keys to FCAT 1.Multiple choice read each question carefully think about the answer or solve the problem before you select your answer try to eliminate answer choices 2.If the question seems hard or confusing read it carefully a second time, do not rush to your answer 3.Fill in answer bubbles completely 4.Answer all parts of the question and look back at the passage or problem

More Keys to FCAT 1.Pace yourself 2.Each part of the test has approximately 50 questions 3.Relax, do your best, and think positively 4.Listen carefully and follow directions 5.Read directions and questions carefully 6.Check over your work when finished 7.Don’t expect to know every answer