The test. Students dread this phrase, whether it refers to chapter tests, finals, standardized achievement tests, Advanced Placement exams, the ACT and SAT, or other testing experiences. In De-Stress the Test, author Martha Kaufeldt details actionable steps you can take throughout the school year to alleviate student anxiety and create brain-friendly classrooms full of focus and learning.
Leverage brain-based learning to boost student self-efficacy and relieve the pressure and stress that accompany high-stakes testing:
- Understand the negative effects tests can have on students, teachers, and parents.
- Help students develop social-emotional learning skills and a growth mindset.
- Use formative assessments to accelerate learning and build students‘ confidence.
- Implement mindfulness strategies in the classroom to mitigate student stress and anxiety.
- Learn long- and short-term practical methods for ensuring students‘ mental, emotional, and physical readiness for tests.
Contents:
Introduction
Part 1: High-Stakes Tests and Stress
Chapter 1: The Meaning of High-Stakes Tests
Chapter 2: The Stress of High-Stakes Testing
Part 2: Stress Prevention and Management Strategies
Chapter 3: Body- and Brain-Friendly Classrooms and Testing Environments
Chapter 4: The Development of Student Agency Through Self-Efficacy, Growth Mindset, and Perseverance
Chapter 5: Mindfulness Practices for the Classroom
Part 3: Ways to Prepare Students for High-Stakes Tests
Chapter 6: Feedback and Formative Assessments
Chapter 7: Academic Vocabulary Instruction
Chapter 8: Test Prep for Students and Teachers
Epilogue
References and Resources
Index