Coach's Newsletter
March 2018
Snowball Discussion
Test Taking Tips for Students
Keep a positive attitude throughout the entire test and try to stay relaxed. If you start to feel nervous take a few deep breaths to relax.
When you first receive your test, do a quick survey of the entire test so that you know how to efficiently budget your time.
Do the easiest problems first. Don’t stay on a problem that you are stuck on, especially when time is a factor.
Pace yourself, don’t rush. Read the entire question and pay attention to details.
Always read the whole question carefully. Don’t make assumptions about what the question might be.
If you don’t know the answer, skip it. Go on with the rest of the test and come back to it later. Other parts of the test may have some information that will help you out with that question.
Don’t worry if others finish before you. Focus on the test in front of you.
If you have time left when you are finished, look over your test. Make sure that you have answered all the questions. Only change an answer if you misread or misinterpreted the question because the first answer that you put is usually the correct one.
Philosophical Chairs
Four Corners
Two Stray, One Stay
1. Group
Arrange students into groups of three and assign each student a number, either: 1, 2, or 3. Then assign a letter to each group.
2. AssignGive all groups the same assignment. This could be a task to perform, a problem to solve, or a question to discuss. Tell the students that after a certain amount of time, they will each be going to another group to share how their response to the assignment. Every group member needs to be able to talk about their response.
3. MoveAfter groups have had their chance to formulate their response (adjust according to the task performed), have all students who were numbered 1 stand up. They will rotate to the group next to them. For example, Student #1 in Group A will move to Group B and Student #1 in Group B will move to Group C. Then, have all students who were numbered 2 stand up. They will rotate two groups. For example, Student #2 in Group A will move to Group C and Student #2 in Group B will move to Group D. Student #3 stays in his or her original position.
4. InterviewIn their new groups, students interview one another about how their completed the assignment. Everyone should take notes and prepare to take the new ideas back to their own original group.
5. Return and ShareAfter five to ten minutes (depending on the complexity of the assignment), all students return to their original groups. As the original group of three, they will each share what they learned from the other groups they worked with.
Around the Clock!
This activity can be modified for vocabulary, science and more.