Week of April 16, 2018

       This week the children will be taking their annual achievement test.  They are excited about taking the test and have been well prepared for it. The children will be tested April 17th thru April 20th. The test will begin each day at 8:15. NO CHILD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE CLASSROOM AFTER THE TEST HAS BEGUN. Therefore, it is very important that your child arrive to school by 7:45 so they will be prepared for the test when it begins.
     
                                      How Your Child can Prepare for Test Taking

• Reassure your child that they do not have to answer all the questions correctly to pass. It is not expected that students answer every question correctly.  There is always room for error. Knowing that they do not have to be perfect will help eliminate some of the stress that comes with testing.
• Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any blank. There is no penalty for guessing, and students can get partial credit on the open-ended items.  Teach them to eliminate ones that they know are wrong first because it gives them a higher chance of getting the correct answer if they are forced to guess.
• Remind your child that the test is important.  It sounds simple, but many parents fail to reiterate this. Most children will put forth their best effort when they know  it is important to their parents.
• Explain to your child the importance of using time wisely. If your child gets stuck on a question, encourage him or her to make the best guess or place a mark in the test booklet by that item and go back to it after finishing that section of the test. Students must not spend too much time on a single question. Give your best attempt and move on.
Ensure that your child gets a decent night's sleep and a good breakfast before taking the test. These are essential to how your child performs. You want them to be at their best. Failing to get a good nights rest or good breakfast can cause them to lose focus quickly.
• Make the morning of the test a pleasant one. Do not add to your child's stress.  Do not argue with your child or bring up a touchy subject. Instead, try to do extra things that make them laugh, smile, and relax
• Get your child to school on time the day of the test.  Give yourself extra time to get to school each morning. Your child will not be able to enter once the test has began.
• Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to read the directions and each question carefully. 

WEEKLY TEST:  .

There will not be a spelling test, Bible, or reading test this week.

WEEKLY REMINDERS:

• April 17th thru 20th  Achievement test
• April 25th  Field Trip (Discovery Science Museum)  Murfreesboro, Tn
• April  27th Field Day
• May 4th Visit from Pen Pals from Whitsitt Elementary
• May 4th  Last day to take AR test (All library books must be turned in)