LESSON: Ready, Set, Test!
CONTENT AREA: Personal & Consumer Health
GRADE LEVEL: 4-5
ACTIVITY TYPE: ASSESSMENT
About this Lesson

Description

What healthy habits did students practice to prepare for testing day?

Estimated Time

2 minutes each day of standardized test administration

Standards Alignment

National Health Education Standards
  • NHES Standard 7 - Self Management
Materials, Teacher Resources and Handouts
Materials Needed
  • Test Readiness Checklist (1 per student)
Teacher Resources
Student Handouts
Key Vocabulary

Help students expand their vocabulary by:

  • incorporating these key words into the classroom discussions;
  • providing context clues as you use them; and
  • encouraging students to use these words in their speaking and writing activities.

Vocabulary
  • CONCENTRATION - the ability to pay attention to a task, like taking a test Getting 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night can improve my concentration.
  • GLYCOGEN - the main form of carbohydrate stored by the body and used by the brain and muscles for energy I had a bowl of oatmeal with walnuts and raisins to get the glycogen my brain needs for energy.
  • NUTRIENT-RICH - describes a food that has lots of important substances that give us energy as well as help us grow and be healthy The morning before a test, I will eat a nutrient-rich breakfast that includes whole grains, a protein and fruits or vegetables.
  • TEST ANXIETY - when uncomfortable feelings prevent you from performing well on tests Paco practiced deep breathing to help him overcome test anxiety.

Place these words and definitions on the class "word wall," on an easel or chart, or use some other visual cue.

Teaching Steps
Step 1: Review the "Test Readiness Checklist"

When assessing the NHES Standard 7 – Self Management, a checklist is used instead of a rubric to verify whether or not students are performing the health behavior. The checklist for this lesson is used to determine if students applied the four healthy habits that can enhance test taking: getting adequate sleep, eating breakfast, getting exercise and deep breathing.

Step 2: Review lesson concepts with students

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.
Step 3: Ask students to complete the “Checklist”

Distribute the “Test Readiness Checklist” to students. On each day of standardized testing, have students record their responses on the checklist after they’re finished with their test(s) for the day.

Step 4: Collect the checklists and discuss