Loaded word Loaded word Important Important Get nervous just thinking about it Get nervous just thinking about it

Encourage them! Encourage them! Praise them! Praise them! Feeling good about yourself = Feeling good about yourself = doing your best doing your best

Talk about the EOG’s in an encouraging way. Talk about the EOG’s in an encouraging way. Let your child know you are confident in his/her ability to do well Let your child know you are confident in his/her ability to do well Encourage them to stick with it! Encourage them to stick with it! Be positive! Be positive!

That while test scores are important, That while test scores are important, they are not the measure of your love and acceptance of them. they are not the measure of your love and acceptance of them.

Make sure your child attends school regularly Remember, tests reflect overall achievement Remember, tests reflect overall achievement The more effort and energy a child puts into learning, the more likely he/she will do well on tests The more effort and energy a child puts into learning, the more likely he/she will do well on tests

Talk with your child’s teacher Discuss your child’s progress Discuss your child’s progress Review or discuss EOG vocabulary Review or discuss EOG vocabulary Find out ways to help your child Find out ways to help your child Work together with your child’s teacher Work together with your child’s teacher

Homework Provide a comfortable, quiet place for studying at home. Provide a comfortable, quiet place for studying at home. Make sure they do their homework. Make sure they do their homework.

Homework Ask questions about their homework and what they are learning. Ask questions about their homework and what they are learning. Children will value learning if they see that their parents value learning Children will value learning if they see that their parents value learning

Evenings before the test Get them outside to play after school! Get them outside to play after school! Pick out comfortable clothes for the next day Pick out comfortable clothes for the next day Put out clothes & shoes Put out clothes & shoes Relax, read, play games Relax, read, play games

Evenings before the test Avoid unpleasantness or controversy: this is not the time to fuss at your child! Avoid unpleasantness or controversy: this is not the time to fuss at your child! Set your alarm a little earlier to allow your child time to eat & dress without rushing. Set your alarm a little earlier to allow your child time to eat & dress without rushing.

Get enough SLEEP! Paying attention your child’s sleep habits could have an impact not only for the EOG’s but also for your family’s life. Paying attention your child’s sleep habits could have an impact not only for the EOG’s but also for your family’s life. This is something you can do NOW! This is something you can do NOW! How many hours of sleep do we need? How many hours of sleep do we need?

ADULT SLEEP Before Thomas Edison's invention of the light bulb, people slept an average of 10 hours a night; Before Thomas Edison's invention of the light bulb, people slept an average of 10 hours a night; Today Americans average 6.9 hours of sleep on weeknights and 7.5 hours per night on weekends Today Americans average 6.9 hours of sleep on weeknights and 7.5 hours per night on weekends (2002 Sleep in America poll). (2002 Sleep in America poll). Average needed: 7 – 9 hours Average needed: 7 – 9 hours

How much sleep do children need? Kids ages 5 to 12 need hours of sleep each night Kids ages 5 to 12 need hours of sleep each night Teens: need 8.5 – 9.5 hrs. Teens: need 8.5 – 9.5 hrs. American children American children ages 5 – 12 get ages 5 – 12 get 9.5 hours per night 9.5 hours per night (National Sleep Foundation study in 2003 – 04) (National Sleep Foundation study in 2003 – 04)

Children who are tired: Don’t always look sleepy during the day Don’t always look sleepy during the day Often overactive and disruptive Often overactive and disruptive Inattentive, impulsive, hyperactive – perhaps trying to stay awake Inattentive, impulsive, hyperactive – perhaps trying to stay awake Cranky and irritable Cranky and irritable May act frustrated or silly May act frustrated or silly

Sleep deprivation in children is associated with: Headaches Headaches Eating disorders Eating disorders Obesity Obesity Emotional instability Emotional instability

When kids get enough sleep they can: Pay attention better in school Pay attention better in school Be creative and think of new ideas Be creative and think of new ideas Fight sickness so they stay healthy Fight sickness so they stay healthy Be in a good mood Be in a good mood Get along with friends and family Get along with friends and family Solve problems better Solve problems better

Without enough sleep kids can: Forget what they learned Forget what they learned Have trouble making good choices Have trouble making good choices Be grumpy and in a bad mood Be grumpy and in a bad mood Have trouble playing games and sports Have trouble playing games and sports Be less patient with brothers, sisters, and friends Be less patient with brothers, sisters, and friends Have trouble listening to parents and teachers Have trouble listening to parents and teachers

A math problem! If you have to wake your child at 6:00 am to get to school on time, what time do they need to go to bed to get ten hours of sleep? If you have to wake your child at 6:00 am to get to school on time, what time do they need to go to bed to get ten hours of sleep?

Bedtime Bedtime at 8:00 pm + 6:00 am wake up = Bedtime at 8:00 pm + 6:00 am wake up = Ten hours of sleep Ten hours of sleep 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th graders 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th graders at Hillandale report: at Hillandale report: bedtimes between 7 – 10:30 pm bedtimes between 7 – 10:30 pm

Sleep tips

Sleep traps

Mornings of test days Prepare a healthy breakfast or make sure they eat breakfast at school Prepare a healthy breakfast or make sure they eat breakfast at school Make sure your child gets to school ON TIME – children who are tardy will not be allowed to enter the classroom. Make sure your child gets to school ON TIME – children who are tardy will not be allowed to enter the classroom.

Give your child positive messages “I know you are capable of doing well” “I know you are capable of doing well” “I know that you are really prepared.” “I know that you are really prepared.” “You can do it!” “You can do it!” “You are a good student” “You are a good student”

After the test Celebrate in whatever way you choose Celebrate in whatever way you choose Spend some special time with your child and/or Spend some special time with your child and/or Give your child a special treat or reward Give your child a special treat or reward

Classroom Guidance before EOG’s on Test Anxiety Talk about positive things to say to themselves Talk about positive things to say to themselves Relaxation techniques Relaxation techniques Listen to calming music Listen to calming music Draw picture of special place they can visit in their minds where they are calm, relaxed, and successful. Draw picture of special place they can visit in their minds where they are calm, relaxed, and successful.

Contact me: Katie Brinkman Katie Brinkman School Counselor School Counselor