• As you prepare to teach this lesson, you may find it helpful to review the four “Test Readiness” articles that introduce four healthy habits students can practice to help them be ready for taking tests. You don't have to share this with your students – it’s just background to make teaching the lesson easier for you.
• The “How I Feel” worksheet allows students to compare how they feel before and after engaging in physical activity and deep breathing.

• Log in to www.GoNoodle.com and view the games available there. Active HealthTeacher members automatically have a GoNoodle account -- log in with your HealthTeacher username and password. If you do not have an active HealthTeacher account, you can create a GoNoodle account for free at www.GoNoodle.com.
• Open the “Run with US!” game. “Run with US!” employs evidence-based strategy for getting students out of their seats to engage in brief, desk-side physical activity. The game uses Olympic athletes to get kids to participate in Olympic track and field events while standing next to their desks in the classroom. Experiment with the first event to see how the game works.
  
  


• Open the “Airtime” game. This game teaches students a simple deep-breathing strategy, while incorporating interesting facts about 100 unique locations throughout the United States. Experiment with any location to see how the game works.
  
  

Have you shown your class the Interactive Presentation yet? If not, start there. If you taught the Interactive Presentation on a different day, then remind students of these key concepts:

• Exercising, getting enough sleep, eating breakfast and practicing deep-breathing are four healthy habits that can prepare you to perform well on tests.
• Your body needs 60 minutes of physical activity every day. But even short bursts of physical activity can get your blood flowing and activate your brain.
• Your body needs 10 to 11 hours of sleep a night. For most elementary-aged students, that means going to bed around 8:00 p.m.
• Eating breakfast can help you do better in school. A nutrient-rich breakfast includes a whole grain, a protein (meat, nuts or dairy) and a fruit or vegetable.
• Deep breathing can reduce the anxiety you might feel before or during a test. To practice deep breathing, breathe in slowly through your nose and then slowly breathe out through your mouth.

“Run With US!” is a deskside exercise game at GoNoodle.com (another product from HealthTeacher) that helps students participate in vigorous physical exercise in any classroom with a real Olympic athlete as their coach. “Run With US!” is designed to be played as a group, around a projector or interactive whiteboard, and in less than 5 minutes. (Note: Active HealthTeacher members automatically have a GoNoodle account. Log in with your HealthTeacher username and password. If you do not have an active HealthTeacher account, you can create a GoNoodle account for free at www.GoNoodle.com.)

For best results, introduce this activity at least a week before students undertake standardized tests. Take some time each day leading up to standardized testing to use the GoNoodle: “Run with US!” game with students.

“Airtime” is a deep breathing game at GoNoodle.com (another product from HealthTeacher) that helps students practice deep abdominal breathing in a fun, relaxing context. “Airtime” is designed to be played as a group, around a projector or interactive whiteboard, and in less than 5 minutes. (Note: Active HealthTeacher members automatically have a GoNoodle account. Log in with your HealthTeacher username and password. If you do not have an active HealthTeacher account, you can create a GoNoodle account for free at www.GoNoodle.com.)

For best results, introduce this activity at least a week before students undertake standardized tests. Take some time each day leading up to standardized testing to use the GoNoodle: “Airtime” game with students.

Students have learned that deep breathing can help control test anxiety. Giving students a chance to practice deep breathing in the week(s) leading up to administration of standardized testing will prepare them when they need to use it prior to and during actual testing to provide them with the skills to calm themselves to overcome test anxiety.

How does deep breathing help?

• It calms you down
• It helps you focus and concentrate

• Ask students to circle the words that describe how they feel right now (before they practice the deep breathing game).

• Visit http://www.gonoodle.com/games/1 to access “Airtime.” (Note: Active HealthTeacher members automatically have a GoNoodle account. Log in with your HealthTeacher username and password. If you do not have an active HealthTeacher account, you can create a GoNoodle account for free at www.GoNoodle.com.)
• Review the Quick Start directions for information about how to play. If you’d like more detail, download or print the Gameplay Instructions PDF.
• Lead students in the deep breathing exercises presented in the game.
• When the deep breathing game is finished, ask students to record how they feel on the “How I Feel” worksheet.
• Discuss any differences the students notice.

• Have students complete the “How I Feel” worksheet before and after doing “Airtime.ʺ
• Since teachers are encouraged to give students practice tests leading up to the actual test day, you can use this game prior to the practice test.
• Remind students that if they begin to experience any of the test anxiety symptoms during the practice standardized test, they can do deep breathing on their own. They don’t need the video to do this simple procedure.
• Ask students how they felt about their success on the practice standardized test after they used deep breathing.

• On each day of standardized testing, use “Airtime” to help students overcome any anxiety they might be feeling at the start.
• Remind them to use deep breathing if they begin to feel any test anxiety during the test.
• Use the “How I Feel” worksheet to record how they feel before and after “Airtime."