Causes
What is 1 reason you might have test anxiety?
What is ......
Ex.: Pressure from teachers or parents, Fear of embarrassment, Lack of control, etc.
What is (any that we used!) :)
Telling yourself "I don't know what I'm doing! I'm going to fail!" is an example of what kind of self-talk?
What is negative self-talk
What might a student feel in their body when taking a test?
What is a stomach ache, shaking, fast heartbeat, headache, etc.
What are two types of self-talk?
What is positive self-talk and negative self-talk
True or False
Staying up late and skipping breakfast will help you feel less nervous about your test.
What is False
The night before, right before the test, or during the test
Telling yourself, "Know matter what happens, I am doing my best." is an example of what kind of self-talk?
What is positive self-talk.
While Johnny was taking his state math exam, he noticed that he started feeling shaky and his heart started beating quickly. What was Johnny experiencing?
What is test anxiety!
By squeezing the sides, tensing your muscles, and taking a deep breath.
True or False
Some nervousness about a test is normal
What is true
What is a feeling that gives you a hint that you need to use a breathing technique?
What is..
overwhelmed, nervous, stressed, scared, or angry
What is 1 negative thought you have told yourself in the past while taking a test?
What is ...
The night before her state test, Claire was unable to fall asleep. Her heart was beating quickly and she kept counting down the hours until she had to wake up. What is something Claire could do to help calm down and fall asleep?
What is a coping skill.
Ex.: Count down from 100, deep breathing, 5,4,3,2,1, get a cold drink of water, etc.
These are the names of your two workshop facilitators today.
Sarah's teacher stated that all of the students must pass the state reading test in order for everyone to get their driving permit when they turn 15 1/2 years old. Sarah told her mom that night that she was having a stomach ache. Why do you think Sarah was feeling this way?
She was most likely experiencing anxiety due to the pressure of having to pass the state reading test! Sarah could feel embarrassed if she does not pass and is not able to get her driving permit with her classmates.
What is 5,4,3,2,1.
What is 1 positive thought you have told yourself in the past while taking a test?
What is ...
David noticed that his friend was not eating his lunch and was very quiet before the Language Arts state exam. What is something David could tell his friend to help him feel more comfortable?
What is an encouraging phrase or statement?
What is a mantra?
What is a motivating phrase or chant.
Ex.: "I think I can!" or "I am capable of passing this test!"
What are two ways you can decrease causes of test anxiety?
- learning about test anxiety and how it affects the brain
- prepare for the test early on
- have coping skills in place
- know your triggers
- challenge negative thoughts
- increase positive self-talk
- others as well!!
What are the 5 different parts of the 5,4,3,2,1 coping technique?
What is:
5 things you see
4 things you can touch
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
Change this thought from negative self-talk to positive self-talk:
"My teacher is going to be so mad if I get a bad grade on the math section!!"
What is ...
Penelope walked into her classroom this morning and realized she completely forgot about the state testing that was starting today! She started to shake, her palms started to sweat, and she had a hard time breathing. What should Penelope do?
A. Fake sick and call her parents
B. Randomly answer every question without reading it because why bother? She didn't prepare.
C. Ask her teacher to go get a drink and repeat her mantra while walking to get a drink.
D. Try to cheat off of her neighbor
What is C. Taking a drink connects with her sense of taste. Repeating her mantra puts her brain in a more positive state of mind.
Why does learning about the reasons for test anxiety help decrease test anxiety?
Knowledge is power! The more we know about anxiety, the less control it has over us.